Big smiles, with much laughter! Long lines, but with looks of joy and satisfaction! Ladies and gentlemen of all ages donning colourful accessories to look their best! These were the scenes on 3 November 2018 at the 2nd floor multi-purpose hall of Blk 420A Clementi Avenue 1.

Foundation of Rotary Clubs Singapore Family Service Centre (FRCS FSC) held its inaugural Casa Clementi Connects! event to increase the centre’s visibility and build on our relationship with the Casa Clementi residents and community partners. The FSC also took the opportunity to hold a soft launch of its upcoming community-based programme, Equal Chances Project – where the FSC team along with dedicated volunteers and stakeholders will be working together with families and their children below 6 years old, providing them opportunities to grow to their fullest potential and become school ready.

The event kicked off with a performance by the graduating class of PCF Sparkletots students. A huge hit among the attendees. Colourful actors from the Health Promotion Board (HPB) then took to the stage to share on the benefits of healthy eating and exercise. Our very own staff ran a session on mindfulness encouraging the community to take the time to “smell the roses” and enjoy their life journey. Besides stage activities, there were buffet, cotton candy, ice cream, face and hand painting, balloon sculpting and photo booth for all to enjoy. A special sensory play for young children below 6 years old was also held.

This event was a success because of the keen support from Casa Clementi Residents’ Committee, Lions Befrienders, Agency for Integrated Care and more. With their encouragement to support the Casa Clementi community, FRCS FSC was able to meet with and share with about 200 residents on how all of us can be of support to them.

We were also most fortunate to have a surprise guest, Clementi Grassroots Advisor Dr Tan Wu Meng who amidst his busy schedule that day, managed to find time to grace the event and met with the residents, guests, volunteers, partners and FSC staff.

This event allowed FRCS FSC the opportunity to engage with the many families and individuals at Casa Clementi and we now feel a stronger bond with them. We look forward to more of such events to forge the community spirit of being there for one another.