Our History & Milestone
In 1958, the board of the Rotary Club Singapore, under the leadership of President Ee Soon Howe, adopted the Aftercare Association as a major project in 1958.
At that time, the Rotary theme was “Help Shape the Future”. Members were told that every month 15 to 20 prisoners were discharged from Changi Gaol and Outram Road Gaol Prisons. Out of these ex-prisoners, 80% needed money, 90% needed jobs, 20% had no immediate homes to go to and 60% wanted to go to a place other than their own homes, for a short while, to rehabilitate themselves. Many, on discharge, had to sleep on five-foot ways, got into bad company, lived in disreputable places and were soon back in prison again. The Aftercare Association was sure that a hostel would greatly alleviate this problem.
Subsequently, The Crown granted a plot of land in Dunlop Street for the building of this hostel, which would consist of a three-storey building to house 20 people at a time. The cost of the hostel would be $70 000. The Club decided to adopt this project and to help raise $20 000, persuading the Government to contribute dollar for dollar.
$18 000 was eventually raised. Two outstanding Rotarians, namely Mr. Runme Shaw and Mr. Lien Ying Chow, generously gave $1000 each to make up the difference. The cheque was handed to Sir Alan Rose, Chief Justice and Chairman of the Aftercare Association, at the Club’s installation dinner of incoming President C. Wechsler.
Source: Rotary Club Singapore