Mr Leon Ng, Board member of Boys’ Town,
Dr Roland Yeow, Executive Director of Boys’ Town,
Mr Ong Teck Chye, Assistant Director for Residential and Fostering Services of Boys’ Town,
- Good morning everyone. It is indeed my privilege to join all of you this morning as we celebrate the 10th anniversary of Boys' Town Fostering Services (BTFS).
- Now, ten years is not easy. It is a very significant milestone. And in the past ten years, your service has made a really profound impact on the lives of young people, families as well as communities. Beyond providing care, safety, and stability, all of you have helped to build a future of hope, opportunity and growth for our children. Now, as we reflect on this journey together today, we are really proud of what you have achieved and also your unwavering commitment to fostering.
- Today’s gathering is especially meaningful, because we brought together everyone. We have our dedicated staff from Boys Town, foster parents, volunteers, partners and also supporters, who all play a part in transforming the lives of our young ones.
BTFS
- Since becoming one of the first appointed Fostering Agencies in 2015, Boys Town has been instrumental in growing foster care in Singapore. Over the years, BTFS has made an impact on the lives of over 400 children and has embarked on various programmes to be able to serve our children well. They have also pioneered innovative ways to spread the fostering message including traditional outreach and digital engagement and they have also created multiple touchpoints to reach potential foster parents that wish to take the first step in this journey.
- As we come together to celebrate this milestone today, we want to recognise that the team’s professionalism, care and commitment, is really the backbone of this service that we all provide. So, my heartfelt thanks to all of you, for making our children feel safe and supported, and our families feel that they are heard. I’m very heartened to know that you continue to invest in building your competencies. For instance, by equipping all foster care workers with Therapeutic Life Story Work training. This approach helps our children make sense of their experiences, heal from their past, and look forward and build resilience for their own future.
Appreciation to Foster Parents
- To commemorate this milestone, Dr Roland has also mentioned we have launched the “We are the Village” campaign. It is indeed a celebration of our collective efforts and beautifully captures how nurturing our children is truly everyone’s effort.
- To all our foster parents, you have been the heart and soul of fostering — so a big thank you to all of you for opening your homes and your hearts to children who really need it most. Your dedication and generosity have not only provided a roof over their heads of the young ones, you have also provided a safe space for these young souls to grow and eventually to flourish. By giving them the nurturing care that every child deserves, you have helped them build a strong foundation for their own futures.
- I was quite moved by the story that was told to me, and that’s Mdm Sellam and her daughter Mdm Thila. Inspired by her mother, Mdm Thila herself became a foster parent. And they have opened their home to many foster children, and their dedication, compassion, as well as resilience reflect the very heart of what fostering is all about. And I really hope that outside of these homes, we can all shout out to our own networks to have more foster parents or potential foster parents step up like the two of them.
Support of Kinship Carers and Volunteers
- I am also heartened by the support of various parties in the foster care ecosystem. Our Kinship Carers for instance. They are extended family members who step up to care for our children when they need it most. They give our children stability, continuity and a strong sense of belonging during challenging times. Their commitment to keeping children safe within their homes is invaluable.
10. At the heart of any social sector organisation is the big pool that begins with the big V called volunteers. Whether is it tutoring our children, helping them with transport, offering emotional support — their presence and contributions matter deeply and we all know it. With all of our volunteers rallying behind and supporting our foster families, we have been able to create ripples of positivity. Volunteers are essentially a big part of this community, and we are grateful for all that they do to change the lives of children and families.
Call-to-Action
11. Fostering may not be a familiar concept to some in our society. Therefore, I encourage all of us who are present this morning to spread the word on how one can contribute in this landscape. Your story and your encouragement can inspire others to step forward, whether as a foster parent, a volunteer or simply an advocate speaking up for all of us in this space.
12. The virtual walkathon today symbolises the journey we’re all on—walking together, step by step, to build a safe and nurturing environment for every single child that we serve.
13. Congratulations once again to Boys’ Town Fostering Service on your 10th birthday. Together, let’s continue to be that village that our children can count on.
14. Thank you.