1990 – 1999
The focuses of the YWCA in the early 1990s were child development and the enhancement of women’s welfare.
During this period, three child development centres were opened. Bukit Gombak (1990), Bishan (1992) and Pasir Ris (1993). An extension was added to the Outram Road centre in 1994.
The YWCA adopted the Christian Home for the Aged, a home for the aged and destitute, as a welfare project. The Association’s volunteers made regular visits to the Home. In addition, funds were raised for the Children’s Charities Association.
In the 1992 Annual Report, then President Mrs Margaret Chew listed the range of activities of the YWCA as follows:
- Two Centres – Fort Canning and Outram
- A hostel for women, female students and transients
- 11 fully operating child development centres located in Bedok, Marine Drive, Marine Terrace, Ang Mo Kio, Serangoon, Bishan, McNair, Outram, West Coast, Jurong East, Bukit Batok and Pasir Ris
- A Kindergarten with over 500 children
- A Before-and-After School Care (Outram BASC) to provide care service for primary school children
- Two women’s clubs – Katong Club and International Women’s Club
- A youth group – the “Y” Teens
- A membership of 1,800 and a staff strength of 300.
As the hostel building at Fort Canning Road was in need of repair, after much thought and planning, the members agreed to the development plans and the Fort Canning Hostel and Centre were closed. The buildings at Fort Canning Road were demolished in 1995 for the construction of a new 13-storey building. The ground-breaking ceremony was held with Minister of State Dr Aline Wong as the guest of honour, and she laid the Foundation Stone.
Fundraising to pay for the costs of the new Fort Canning building began and earnest and novel ideas were implemented to raise funds.
1995
In 1995, the YWCA celebrated its 120th anniversary. This momentous event coincided with the World YWCA’s Centennial celebration. A special service was held at the St Andrew’s Cathedral, and the celebration included dinner with the guest of honour, the late President Benjamin Sheares and his wife.
The concern for senior members saw the founding of the Golden Y Circle to cater to the needs of women aged 60 years and above and this project was chaired by Mrs Catherine Chan. This was a programme for senior ladies to gather for fellowship and weekly activities. They also participated in events and activities of the YWCA
A 3-storey extension to the building at Outram Road was completed in the same year to accommodate the housing of foreign nurses and students and with function rooms for meetings and other activities. The Building Projects Committee in charge of the extension works was headed by Mrs Margaret Chew.
The Board discussed other community projects which led to the formation of the Community Projects Sub-Committee. Projects discussed included the setting up of welfare programmes for women and children, volunteer engagement and a daycare centre for ambulant elderly adults, who could spend the day in the centre while their family members were at work.
A Youth Sub-Committee was also formed to engage youth in the activities of the YWCA. The Operations Committee was tasked to plan for the commencement of operations at the YWCA building in Fort Canning and the extension building in the Outram Road Centre.
1996
In response to a call by the government, and concerns expressed by Dr Aline Wong on the welfare of the elderly, an Adult Day Care Centre was started for senior citizens above 60 years of age. It provided daycare services for the elderly in our community. Fellowship, recreational and fitness activities were provided for users of the centre. It was an alternative place for the elderly to spend their time in a fulfilling manner when other members of the family were at work or in school.
The focus on youth led to the formation of a Young Adults Group (YAG), comprising young working professionals in various fields. Programmes were organised and members of the YAG were involved in other activities and events of the Association.
1997
The YWCA embraced the internet and technology by computerising her office operations in 1997.
The Fellowship Committee was changed into the International Relations and Fellowship Committee in view of the expansion of its activities.
The redevelopment of the YWCA Building at Fort Canning was completed under the leadership of Mrs Margaret Chew, who was the President of YWCA for 4 terms, from 1990 to 1994 and 1996 to 2000.
Mrs Chew took charge of the redevelopment of the Fort Canning Hostel. She oversaw the construction of the new YWCA Building, which would house the hostel.
In April 1997, the hostel part of the YWCA Building was named “Fort Canning Lodge” and had a soft launch. Fort Canning Lodge has 212 guest rooms fully fitted with modern comfort and coordinated furnishings for guests. Other facilities include a swimming pool, a tennis court, coffee house, ballroom and meeting rooms.
The community and welfare services operated by the Association were extended to include a drop-in service for senior citizens in the Golden Y Circle and a Meals-on-Wheels service to deliver cooked meals on weekdays to poor elderly. The YWCA Financial Assistance Scheme was formalised to assist children from low-income families who were also in the YWCA’s child development centres and Kindergarten.
To oversee community services, a new National Committee, the Community Projects Committee, was set up to oversee the Adult Day Centre, the Meal-on- Wheels programme, the Before & After School Care Centre, the YWCA Financial Assistance Scheme and the Golden Y Circle.
1998
Fort Canning Lodge was affected by the economic crisis in the Asian region, with falling occupancy rates. However, the 12 child development centres continued to enjoy a high enrolment rate of 92 per cent, while the community services provided at the Adult Day Centre, Drop-in Centre and Meals-on-Wheels functioned at full capacity.
As part of her community services, the YWCA continued to provide financial assistance subsidy to needy families in kindergarten, child development centres, Adult Day Care and Before and After School Care service.
1999
Throughout 1999, the YWCA continued with her regular activities and programmes. A notable event was the YWCA Charity Choral Concert, which was organised by Mrs Wee Kung Ling, to raise funds. It was held on 28 and 29 September at Victoria Concert Hall.
Dr Andrew Padmore, an internationally acclaimed choral conductor from the UK conducted a choir of 80 members, drawn from the various local churches in Singapore as well as individuals. The NUS Symphony Orchestra provided the musical accompaniment.