#Heartwork: Tina Lim

Tina Lim's dedication to volunteer work began in her early twenties, inspired by her father’s role on the Board of the National Council of Social Service (NCSS). She initially volunteered at NCSS and later gathered a few friends from her Bible study group to teach art-and-craft at a Children’s Home in Sembawang. This early experience planted the seeds of her lifelong commitment to helping others. 

Tina (Third from right) at the Opening of Dayspring Residential Treatment Centre.

Tina’s journey with HCSA Dayspring began in 2006, when her good friend Alice Heng founded a counselling centre for women. That organisation that Alice started was called Dayspring. Alice’s vision was unfortunately cut short when she passed away from cancer. In honour of Alice's legacy to provide hope and healing to women, Tina, along with Dayspring co-founders Dominique Choy, Adelene Wee, Ruth Tie and Cathy Livingston, researched and undertook an exploratory visit to Utah in the United States to find out more about residential treatment programmes and proposed the idea of establishing one in Singapore to the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF). This led to the establishment of Singapore’s first small-group residential treatment facility for abused girls, named Dayspring Residential Treatment Centre, which opened its doors in 2011.

“The facility's primary objective is to offer early intervention for children who had suffered sexual or physical abuse, thereby enhancing their chances of recovery and reintegration into normal life. We welcomed our first residents in 2011. The founding members naturally assumed roles on the management committee, a volunteering platform, and a position I have held since its inception," Tina recounted.

The driving force: What keeps Tina going

Tina (first row, 3rd from right) at the Arabian Night Fundraising theme dinner.

For Tina, her faith and the constant unfolding of opportunities have kept her motivated to serve at HCSA. Being involved from the ground up, watching Dayspring grow from a small centre to a thriving facility, has been both rewarding and inspiring. Starting with just 12 residents in 2011 at Turf Club Road, Dayspring has since expanded and recently moved to a new, larger facility at Wan Tho.

Tina’s greatest joy comes from seeing the transformation of the girls who graduate from the programme. Watching them gain confidence, develop new goals, and finding hope for a brighter future is what fuels her ongoing commitment.

"Whilst numerous factors motivate my continued volunteer work, the primary driving force is undoubtedly the beneficiaries themselves. I've had the privilege of observing the programme's profound impact on their lives. It's been remarkable to witness these girls set and achieve new goals, develop fresh aspirations, and complete the programme. Attending their graduation ceremonies and hearing their accounts of life before Dayspring is truly moving. Their stories of how our staff and programme have supported their journey reveal a striking transformation. We see vulnerable individuals become confident young women with renewed hope and a sense of purpose for a brighter future. This visible change from their time before entering Dayspring to their graduation is what compels me to persist in my volunteer work,” shared Tina.

Gaining new skills and insights as a volunteer

Tina (2nd from right) together with the Dayspring Management Committee.

Starting as a volunteer without much knowledge of the social sector, Tina has learned a great deal over the years. From understanding the complexities of trauma to navigating fundraising challenges, she has developed valuable skills in leadership and relationship-building.

Through training programmes and hands-on experiences, Tina has become adept at supporting the staff and the girls in practical ways. In the early days, she even stepped in to cook meals for the residents when needed. Understanding the challenges faced by the staff has given her a deep appreciation for the team’s resilience and dedication.

"Through participation in various training programmes organised by the social sector, I've gained valuable skills and insights that have significantly enhanced my ability to contribute to our organisation's mission," Tina explained. "These experiences have bolstered my confidence in fundraising efforts, enabling me to seek financial support more effectively. They've also enhanced my ability to connect with and understand the girls we serve, whilst deepening my comprehension of the challenges and difficulties these young women face. Moreover, I've become better equipped to offer practical support to our staff in more meaningful ways. This ongoing learning process has been instrumental in improving my overall capacity to make a difference in our work."

Overcoming challenges and valuable lessons learned

One of the challenges Tina has faced as a volunteer is the unpredictability of attendance at events. Organising activities for a group of girls, only to have a handful show up, can be disheartening. However, she has learned not to let this discourage her. Flexibility and perseverance have been key in overcoming these hurdles, and Tina has come to realise that the work is not about her expectations but about supporting the girls who need help the most.

The impact of HCSA Dayspring's Management Committee Volunteer Team

Tina (2nd row, 4th from right) at the Dayspring Management Committee’s annual Christmas party.

Tina credits the Dayspring Management Committee volunteer team with fostering a strong sense of unity and purpose among the volunteers. In fact, the HCSA Community Services' Volunteer Management (VM) team closely support the Dayspring Management Committee through the implementation of robust VM processes. These systems were crafted to accurately record and track the individual contributions of Dayspring Management Committee members to the HCSA SPIN and Dayspring programmes. Furthermore, the VM team streamlined the integration of Dayspring Management Committee members serving as befrienders in HCSA SPIN by employing well-established volunteer training methods, thus ensuring their thorough preparation for their respective roles.

"The volunteers in the Dayspring Management Committee have demonstrated the power of unity and diversity. By combining our varied gifts, skills and talents, we've achieved far more than we could individually. They've also taught me the value of courage, innovation and collaboration. Despite scepticism, our willingness to embrace new and unconventional approaches has led to even greater accomplishments," Tina reflected.

In 2014, this spirit of innovation and collaboration led to the addition of the Dayspring New Life Centre, providing care for women with unsupported pregnancies. The volunteer management committee team later pivoted towards supporting single-parent families with the launch of HCSA Dayspring SPIN (Single Parents INformed, INvolved, INcluded), co-created with NCSS in 2017. This evolution has given Tina the opportunity to volunteer in various capacities, broadening her experience and impact.

Tina’s personal milestone projects  

Among her many volunteer projects, one of Tina’s most memorable experiences was leading the setup of the Dayspring New Life Centre. The centre was designed to provide a nurturing environment for pregnant women with no support system. 

The joy of helping these women prepare for motherhood and providing them with the shelter, counselling, and skills needed to care for their newborns was incredibly fulfilling for Tina. Many of the women she helped have since become independent, working mothers. The centre’s first baby is now in primary school, a testament to the long-term impact of their work.

Tina’s continued involvement with Owena, the alumni group for Dayspring’s trauma survivors, also stands out as a key achievement. Seeing the girls come together to share their struggles and celebrate their successes is a rewarding experience, and the fact that the group is now run by the graduates themselves reflects the programme’s success in empowering its beneficiaries.

Tina's vision for volunteering

Tina (2nd from right) together with members of the Dayspring Management Committee.

Looking ahead, Tina hopes to see the volunteer sector grow through greater community education and increased collaboration. A centralised database of volunteers could be a useful tool, making it easier for agencies to access the help they need, whether for short-term or long-term projects.

For Tina, volunteering will always be a part of her life. She is committed to continuing her work with HCSA, serving with love, honour, and respect, and helping the most vulnerable in her community.

To those contemplating volunteer work, Tina offers simple yet powerful advice: just take that first step. She encourages starting small, perhaps by helping with a holiday project or joining a friend in a volunteer activity. Tina emphasises that there are countless opportunities to get involved and urges potential volunteers to explore these options. Importantly, she highlights an often-overlooked aspect of volunteering: while it's fundamentally about giving, volunteers frequently find themselves just as blessed by the experience as those they are helping. This reciprocal nature of volunteering, Tina believes, is what makes it such a rewarding endeavour for all involved.