"A Good PLACE" Opens in Holland Village, Benefiting Persons with Special Needs and Seniors (Shin Min Daily, Feb 11, 2025)
A local social enterprise has invested $2 million to establish a new community space, “A Good PLACE,” in the Holland Village area. This initiative provides persons with special needs the opportunity to participate in customized programs while also offering seniors more community activities.
Established by Presbyterian Community Social Services, “A Good PLACE” is an innovative community space located on the first floor of One Holland Village Mall. The $2 million facility spans 12,000 square feet—about a quarter of a football field.
This new day activity centre features six multifunctional activity rooms and an auditorium, including spaces for yoga, dance, and music. The centre aims to serve seniors in the surrounding area while also offering programs for persons with special needs aged 18 and above, helping them develop social awareness and independent living skills to better integrate into society.
The official opening ceremony was held this morning, with President Tharman Shanmugaratnam as Guest-of-Honour. The event attracted around 200 attendees, including donors, volunteers, partners, persons with special needs, seniors, and young children.
In an interview, Executive Director Lim Boon Hian (52) stated that “A Good PLACE” is not only a day activity centre for seniors and persons with special needs, but also a sandbox initiative where various stakeholders can collaborate, discuss innovative ideas, and explore research solutions to enhance the quality of life for these individuals.
“We are deeply grateful for the support of government agencies, partners, and generous donors. Their contributions have turned this vision into reality. We also invite more organizations and volunteers to join us in building a more inclusive and connected community.”
During his speech, President Tharman praised “A Good PLACE” as an exemplary initiative that has grown from a small community service project into a major social service organization, assisting many people in need.
He highlighted three key aspects of its success:
- Inclusivity – The center serves people of all races and religions, reflecting its commitment to diversity.
- Opportunities for Growth – It provides learning and development opportunities for both persons with special needs and volunteers, helping them integrate into society and boost their self-worth.
- A Spirit of Compassion – Rooted in love and care, the organization embodies the belief that “kindness breeds kindness,” fostering a community of volunteers and beneficiaries, including seniors and persons with disabilities.
One of the centre’s key partners, Connexions, is responsible for designing and implementing programs for persons with special needs.
Pan Huiling (42), Executive Director of Connexions, shared that the centre currently has 13 students aged 20 to 29, supported by four teachers. Their goal is to gradually increase the number of students to 60 by the end of the year.
“Through a one-stop service, we hope to provide training in life and vocational skills, empowering students to become more independent.”
One of the students, 23-year-old Bryan Ong, who has autism, has been attending “A Good PLACE” since January.
In an interview, he shared that he has made more friends and participated in various activities such as painting, art workshops, and counselling sessions.
“I come here every day. I really enjoy spending time with my classmates, and in the future, I hope to join more sports classes.”