Focus on the Family Singapore
Encyclopedia
Focus on the Family Singapore is a Singapore affiliate of the American evangelical Christian organization Focus on the Family
. It started full-fledged operations in 2002 and has been conferred with the Institution of Public Character (IPC) status. It has its main office at Junction 8, Bishan, and a learning centre at Jurong Point, Boon Lay, which opened in May 2009. The organization's official name as a registered Singapore charity is "Focus on the Family Singapore Limited".
The mission of Focus on the Family Singapore is to "help families thrive at every stage and phase of life", and it envisions "transformed families, communities and societies". It has six guiding principles: the sanctity of life, the permanence of marriage, the importance of outreach, the value of children, the importance of social responsibility, and the value of male and female.
The core strategies by which Focus on the Family Singapore achieves its aim is through impact programs, content & media, and family support.
No Apologies is a "character-based program for sex, health and relationship education". It is aimed at youths aged 12 to 18, and "seeks to empower and challenge young people to choose abstinence from sex until marriage".
Focus on the Family Singapore's No Apologies programs is 1 of only 6 sexuality education programs approved by the Ministry of Education. Following the media attention and public outcry in Singapore regarding the content of sexuality education programs offered in schools by external parties, the Ministry of Education suspended all sexuality education programs in schools, except those conducted by the school teachers. The ministry then conducted a vetting process. The resulting shortlist Singapore schools may engage to conduct sexuality education workshops consisted of 6 organizations: Fei Yue Community Services, Cornerstone Community Services Centre, Focus on the Family Singapore, Touch Youth, High Achievers Training Consultancy, and Eka Training Group.
Better known as SNAPP!, the Sticky Notes and Push Pins workshop is a "values-based workshop which seeks to help young people envision the future, pin down essentials of love, dating and marriage, and equip them to make healthy decisions toward relationships for life". It is a three-hour workshop aimed at youths between 17 and 20 years old.
The Parenting with Confidence workshop "provides tools and timeless principles for raising children to become independent and responsible adults". This programme is divided into three, meant for parents with children within the age groups of 0 to 5, 6 to 12, and 13 to 19. It hopes to "inspire parents to see the possibilities and understand the unique opportunities in their children in each unique age group".
The The Heart of Success workshop is a series of two four-hour sessions on how to achieve work-life harmony. It aims to help individuals and organizations achieve "personal and organizational improvement".
Focus on the Family
Focus on the Family is an American evangelical Christian tax-exempt non-profit organization founded in 1977 by psychologist James Dobson, and is based in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Focus on the Family is one of a number of evangelical parachurch organizations that rose to prominence in the 1980s...
. It started full-fledged operations in 2002 and has been conferred with the Institution of Public Character (IPC) status. It has its main office at Junction 8, Bishan, and a learning centre at Jurong Point, Boon Lay, which opened in May 2009. The organization's official name as a registered Singapore charity is "Focus on the Family Singapore Limited".
The mission of Focus on the Family Singapore is to "help families thrive at every stage and phase of life", and it envisions "transformed families, communities and societies". It has six guiding principles: the sanctity of life, the permanence of marriage, the importance of outreach, the value of children, the importance of social responsibility, and the value of male and female.
Relationship with Focus on the Family US
Focus on the Family Singapore is operated and directed independently of Focus on the Family US, although the two organizations are closely affiliated. In 2009, Focus on the Family Singapore received SG$45,477 in grants from the larger American organization. In contrast, it received over SG$1 million from donations and fees recovered through its impact programs and services.Core Strategies
To achieve its mission and vision, Focus on the Family Singapore employs core activities to educate, nurture and protect. Through these activities, the idea is to:- be a trusted and compassionate guide by offering time-tested programs and services;
- come alongside people with support, encouragement and hope, recognising that each family is different; and
- defend family values by engaging in issues that directly affect families, and inspire positive action.
The core strategies by which Focus on the Family Singapore achieves its aim is through impact programs, content & media, and family support.
Impact Programmes
Focus on the Family Singapore runs a host of programs as part of the organization's strategy to fulfill its mission and vision. These programs includes No Apologies, Sticky Notes and Push Pins, Parenting with Confidence and The Heart of Success.No Apologies
No Apologies is a "character-based program for sex, health and relationship education". It is aimed at youths aged 12 to 18, and "seeks to empower and challenge young people to choose abstinence from sex until marriage".
Focus on the Family Singapore's No Apologies programs is 1 of only 6 sexuality education programs approved by the Ministry of Education. Following the media attention and public outcry in Singapore regarding the content of sexuality education programs offered in schools by external parties, the Ministry of Education suspended all sexuality education programs in schools, except those conducted by the school teachers. The ministry then conducted a vetting process. The resulting shortlist Singapore schools may engage to conduct sexuality education workshops consisted of 6 organizations: Fei Yue Community Services, Cornerstone Community Services Centre, Focus on the Family Singapore, Touch Youth, High Achievers Training Consultancy, and Eka Training Group.
Sticky Notes and Push Pins
Better known as SNAPP!, the Sticky Notes and Push Pins workshop is a "values-based workshop which seeks to help young people envision the future, pin down essentials of love, dating and marriage, and equip them to make healthy decisions toward relationships for life". It is a three-hour workshop aimed at youths between 17 and 20 years old.
Parenting with Confidence
The Parenting with Confidence workshop "provides tools and timeless principles for raising children to become independent and responsible adults". This programme is divided into three, meant for parents with children within the age groups of 0 to 5, 6 to 12, and 13 to 19. It hopes to "inspire parents to see the possibilities and understand the unique opportunities in their children in each unique age group".
The Heart of Success
The The Heart of Success workshop is a series of two four-hour sessions on how to achieve work-life harmony. It aims to help individuals and organizations achieve "personal and organizational improvement".
Media
Focus on the Family Singapore has regular spots on local radio station 938LIVE, as well as a regular weekday column on the TODAY newspaper.Family Support
Focus on the Family Singapore has a counseling service which employs accredited professional counselors who adhere to a strict code of ethics and conduct.Organization
Past and present presidents of the organization include:- Mr Tan Thuan Seng (2002–2007)
- Ms Joanna Koh-Hoe (2007–present)