Ethnic self-help groups: what each actually provides

These four bodies are frequently recommended to people looking for community support. What they actually offer differs a great deal, so it is worth knowing which door you are walking through.

• CDAC runs a Family Assistance Programme that is financial and educational: grants towards bills, rent and childcare, grocery vouchers, job-search help, tutoring and mentoring, and a volunteer family befriender scheme. It does not offer professional counselling. Eligibility is household income at or below $2,400 a month or per capita income at or below $800, with at least one Chinese Singaporean or permanent resident in the household. Apply through the myCDAC portal with Singpass.
• SINDA operates SINDA Family Service Centre, one of the national Family Service Centres, so the standard casework and counselling scope applies there. Contact 1800 295 3333.
• The Eurasian Association explicitly names counselling and mediation in its family support services. See its own listing.
• Yayasan MENDAKI runs a support network, a family empowerment programme and case management. Call them on 1800 636 2544 to ask what is currently available; the offering changes.

The joint Self-Help Groups Centre run by these organisations is an educational enrichment centre offering tuition and reading programmes, not a counselling service. It is a common point of confusion.