The visit was part of Madam Halimah’s effort to familiarise herself with the homes supported by her ministry and to keep in touch with the people directly involved in the running of the homes.
HopeHouse, a joint project of the De La Salle Brothers and a group of lay people, was set up to help at-risk male youths who have committed legal offences.
The Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports (MCYS) refers such youths to the home which aims to give these youths a second chance.
According to LaSalle Br Collin Wee, the home presently shelters seven youths aged 16-21.
During Madam Halimah’s visit, HopeHouse staff briefed her on the profile of the residents, the programmes and activities for them, and the reasons for their admission and discharge.
She agreed that the home should be kept small so that individual attention can be given to each youth and, as far as possible, their families.
“In the work that we do, it is not just about the numbers,” she said.
Madam Halimah was also given a tour of the premises.
“The work we do at Hope-House is secular in nature and yet it is a natural extension of the Lasallian Spirituality of teaching minds, touching hearts and transforming lives of the last, lost and the least,” said Br Collin.
HopeHouse is a registered charity and received its status as an approved Institution of a Public Character (IPC) on June 1, 2011.
