The YMCA of Singapore celebrated 115 years of service to the nation in 2017.
A large part of this journey encompasses its contributions to the local social service sector through successively providing leadership to the Board of the National Council of Social Service (NCSS) for decades, ever since its inception as the Singapore Council of Social Service (SCSS).
YMCA of Singapore has contributed significantly to the leadership of the Council, beginning with Mr. Cecil V R Wong, then Treasurer of YMCA, being appointed as the first Honorary Treasurer of the SCSS. He served alongside Dr. Lee Kong Chian and Mr. S R Nathan, who were the President and Secretary of SCSS respectively. Dr. Robert C K Loh, YMCA’s longest serving President from 1970 to 1992, was subsequently appointed as the first President of the NCSS when it was restructured from the SCSS in 1992. Prior to his presidency, Dr. Loh was already actively involved in the local social service sector, making contributions in various advisory committees. Dr. Loh had also served as the Vice President of the SCSS from 1984 to 1992. Mr. Sim Miah Kian, another of the YMCA’s longest serving Directors and Vice President of the YMCA from 1974 to 1986, was also a founding member of the SCSS. Other YMCA Directors who have served on the NCSS Board include former YMCA Presidents Mr. David Wong Cheong Fook, Mr. Stephen Loh Sur Yong, Mr. Chew Kwee San and Mr. Eric Teng Heng Chew.
The Young Men’s Christian Association seeks to unite those young men who, regarding Jesus Christ as their God and Saviour, according to the Holy Scriptures, desire to be his disciples in their faith and in their life, and to associate their efforts for the extension of his Kingdom amongst young men.
YMCA of Singapore is a volunteer-based Christian organisation that seeks to serve and impact all members of the community, regardless of race, language or religion, through programmes, services and enterprises to develop the body, mind and spirit.
To recognise the needs of others especially the last, the lost and the least, then take action to help
To desire to serve first, then to make the conscious choice to take the lead to act
To speak and embody the truth, to act and to be worthy of trust, and to have integrity in making sure our choices (decisions and actions) are in line with our Christian values
To be accountable for our behaviour and our actions in meeting our obligations
To treat others as we would have them treat us and to value the worth of every person
