Christine Wong heads MWS
THE Methodist Welfare Services (MWS) has a new Executive Director -- Ms Christine Wong.


Ms Wong, who succeeded Mr Vernon Kang on March 1, 2005, said that one of her immediate tasks is to "empower and nurture members of the existing team and to forge a deeper sense of team spirit in the organisation".


"Looking at the challenges ahead, especially in today's context where the needs are becoming more complex and diverse, there is much to be done."


Ms Wong, who was Deputy Director (Programmes) at the MWS for the past five years, said: "It is with great humility that I accept this new appointment. Over these past years with the MWS, I have been privileged to work with experienced team-mates who have taught me the meaning of being a servant-leader."


As Executive Director, she heads a complement of more than 300 full-time staff in 13 service hubs, including family service centres, children and youth centres, and other centres serving the sick and the frail, the destitute, the elderly, families in crisis and the terminally ill.


She is amply qualified to take on her new responsibility. An M Sc graduate in Healthcare Management from Britain, she has, over the years, been trained in counselling, managerial, financial, supervisory and people management skills. She has been in senior management roles with the Singapore Association for Mental Health and the National Council of Social Service.


She has worked closely with service centres and churches to develop programmes to meet changing social needs. In particular, she spearheaded the Bethany Homehelp Service, formerly known as Wesley Homejoy Service, and the Psychological Assessment and Referral Service in response to meeting parental needs in assessing their children's learning abilities.


She also helped to set up the Learning Centre at the Methodist Children and Youth Centre at Bukit Batok, and had been seconded to the Bethany Methodist Nursing Home at Choa Chu Kang to help with its set-up in its first year of operation.


Elaborating on her role, Ms Wong said that team-building was her top priority for now. "I believe that this is the only way we can truly make a difference in social welfare work.


"It is crucial that as caregivers we should always stay a step ahead of the needs of those who come to us for help so that we can meet their needs effectively."

MS CHRISTINE WONG:
Building up the MWS team
is her top priority.