Our Programmes & Services

The Emmanuel Second Chance (ESCE) Programme is a scholarship and mentorship programme for those in difficult financial circumstances who need a second chance in life. ESCE aims to provide clients with the means to earn a better income and realise their full potential.

The name Emmanuel is a holy and powerful one, signifying ‘God is with us’ in Hebrew, and in Christian scripture embodies the hope and love that God brings amidst our daily struggles. For CWS, Emmanuel is also the name of our late Brother Emmanuel SG, who served as our Chairman for 19 years, and was a veteran educator and ardent advocate for the empowerment through education.

Funded by an anonymous donor who believes that everyone deserves a second chance at building a better future for themselves and their families, ESCE is here to offer you another chance at breaking out of the circle of adversity and changing your life!

Click here to find out more about the programme and the application process.

Since its launch in 2009, Hearts@Work has provided vocational training for young adults with intellectual challenges, helping them gain independence and self-sufficiency. Targeted at individuals aged 19 to 40, the programme’s continuous developmental support equips trainees with essential work skills, bolstering their employability, self-confidence, and practical abilities in a real-world setting.

Hearts@Work fosters a warm, welcoming environment where trainees are encouraged to interact, learn, and develop crucial social and communication skills. Through partnerships with private companies, trainees work on assigned projects, gaining valuable hands-on experience in a supportive, real-world environment. More importantly, we also provide trainees with meaningful programmes to holistically enrich and develop them as individuals.

Our mission is to create a safe, nurturing space where each trainee’s rights and dignity are respected. At Hearts@Work, we strive to empower clients to achieve as much independence as possible, supporting their growth at their own pace and helping them work toward fulfilling and gainful employment.

The Night Mission began as an outreach effort to better understand and support the growing number of rough sleepers and homeless individuals in Singapore. Every Friday night, our dedicated staff and volunteers would take to the streets, reaching out to rough sleepers in need and providing essential items such as food, drinks, toothbrushes, shower gels, and face towels. Beyond just offering material aid, they engage in meaningful conversations, learning about each individual’s unique circumstances and linking them to support programmes that could help them.

The Night Missions, alongside our Shelters, play a crucial role in Singapore’s rough sleeper support ecosystem. The volunteer-led Night Missions focus on community outreach, offering befriending support and a channel for connection and engagement, while always respecting each person’s agency and privacy. Meanwhile, our Shelters provide temporary housing and social work support, assisting rough sleepers in securing long-term housing solutions.

Since 2014, the Night Mission has expanded beyond its initial route in Bras Basah to include new neighborhoods such as Toa Payoh, Ang Mo Kio, and Bedok. Together, the Night Missions and Shelters form an integral part of the wider effort to support and empower rough sleepers in our community.

If you are interested in volunteering or supporting The Night Mission, please contact us at volunteer@catholicwelfare.org.sg.

CWS operates three shelters dedicated to providing temporary refuge for rough sleepers, supporting up to 41 individuals in need of a safe place to stay.

In 2021, we launched Bethlehem Shelter in Ang Mo Kio—our first full-time shelter—offering a secure space for up to eight individuals and one family of four. Later that year, in collaboration with the Ministry of Social and Family Development, we established the S3P Shelter at Thomson, located in the SLF Building, which accommodates up to five clients.

In 2022, we expanded our efforts with the launch of the Gift of Joy Shelter in partnership with Willing Hearts. Situated within their Telok Kurau compound, this shelter provides support for up to 16 individuals and two families of four.

Beyond offering temporary accommodation, our shelters serve as stepping stones toward long-term stability. Our social workers actively support clients in securing permanent housing, working closely with community partners and social service agencies. Together, the CWS Night Missions and Shelters play a vital role in strengthening the broader ecosystem of rough sleeper support in Singapore

For the referral form for our shelters, please click here.

For shelter enquiries, please call us at 6333 5484 or email us at socialwork@catholicwelfare.org.sg

St Joseph’s Home (SJH) was established in 1978 by CWS with the support of the Canossian Sisters, and is a Nursing Home that provides long-term residential care for the elderly. Emphasising person-centered care that respects the dignity and unique preferences of each resident, SJH delivers holistic care that addresses the full spectrum of the seniors physical and social needs.

With the support of a qualified team of nurses, allied health professionals, social workers and operations team, SJH is able to provide high-quality care services, including physiotherapy, occupational therapy, art therapy, music therapy, case management and counselling services. As one of Singapore’s pioneering institutions for hospice care, SJH also takes great pride in journeying with residents and their families through their final stages of life.

In addition to nursing care, SJH also provides day-care services for young children via its on-site Childcare Centre, and frequently conducts fun and engaging intergenerational activities for both the children and seniors to enjoy.  

Founded in 1935 by the Little Sisters of the Poor, St Theresa’s Home (STH) is a Nursing Home that provides long-term residential care for over 200 elderly residents. In 2003, the Sisters handed over the management of STH to CWS, and CWS continues their good work in delivering quality, holistic care that is tailored to the individual needs of each resident.

With the support of its team of qualified nursing and healthcare professionals, STH strives to ensure the highest level of care for residents, based on a model of care that focuses on highly-personalised care. STH believes in the importance of independence in maintaining one’s well-being, and provides a wide range of rehab services such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and others. By improving residents’ ability to carry out activities of daily living, and STH seeks to empower them to be more independent, and age actively and gracefully.
 

Established in 1973 by the sisters of the Franciscan Missionaries of Divine Motherhood, the Villa Francis Home for the Aged, or Villa Francis, is a nursing home facility that provides long-term residential care for over 240 elderly residents. In April 2001, CWS officially took over management of Villa Francis and continues the home’s mission of providing holistic care through love, kindness and understanding. In 2006, the Cannosian Sisters joined Villa Francis, overseeing the home’s operations.

On 14 September 2013, Villa Francis relocated from its original location in Mandai Estate to a brand new building in Yishun Central which, together with the neighbouring Khoo Teck Puat Hospital and Yishun Community Hospital, forms a vital part of the community’s healthcare ecosystem.

As a nursing home, Villa Francis provides its residents comprehensive nursing and medical care and support services. Our team of medical consultants, specialists and volunteer doctors works to provide for the full spectrum of our residents’ needs. Our qualified physiotherapists and occupational therapists ensure that residents receive the care they need to improve mobility, maintain their physical capabilities to stay independent, and live their lives to the fullest.

As a certified On-the-Job training centre and ITE-approved Training Centre, we also conduct in-house courses and training to maintain a high level of competency amongst staff.

Established in collaboration with SSVP, St Vincent Home is a residential facility that provides a safe and supportive environment for up to 18 elderly residents.

The Home serves seniors aged 60 and above who lack family support, have limited financial means, and require stable housing. With a focus on self-sufficiency and independent living, residents manage their daily activities with minimal assistance, fostering a sense of autonomy and dignity.

More than just a place to stay, St Vincent Home offers a socially inclusive environment where seniors can live communally as an extended family, build meaningful connections, and age actively within a supportive community.

In 1999, the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary set up the Poverello Teen Centre, sponsored by CWS, which served as a drop-in centre for at-risk youth. The Centre sought to help its young clients develop their skills and potential while honing in them the values of discipline, responsibility and self-worth. In June 2009, CWS and Boys’ Town embarked on a collaborative project to expand the services offered by the centre into a full-fledged outreach programme, and the CWS – BT YouthReach Programme was born.

In addition to the drop-in centre, YouthReach offers a comprehensive range of services designed to support at-risk youth and develop their skills and abilities. These include counselling and mentoring sessions, home visits, and life skills workshops at various schools and organisations. The programme employs a youth-centred and strength-based approach which seeks to develop and enhance personal, social and educational growth in the youth and help them reach their full potential in society