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About Us

Our Vision

To create a safe and inclusive space where adults with disabilities thrive through tailored support, active inclusion in decision-making and unwavering compassion, fostering belonging.

Our Mission

To empower individuals with disabilities to live fulfilling lives by providing essential tools and resources in a supportive, inclusive environment that promotes their personal growth and advocates for their rights.

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Our Core Values

Compassion: Showing empathy and care towards adults with disabilities, valuing all of God’s creation.

Openness: Fostering transparency and trust within our community.

Humanity: Demonstrating kindness and understanding in all interactions.

Our Goal

To continually improve our programmes and services to ensure every individual receives the respect, empathy, and comprehensive care they deserve, while delivering quality and cost-effective programmes and services.

History

Christian Outreach to the Handicapped (COH) was founded in 1979 by Reverend Alice Shae, an American Baptist missionary who was unable to find services for her own daughter and those with intellectual disabilities in Singapore back in the day. Together with Anglican Missionary Felicity Carter who was also a pioneer for several other social service agencies, such as Samaritans of Singapore, they came together and so COH came to be.

COH is an inter-denominational non-profit organization. Our mission is to empower and support our community of adults and older persons with special needs, intellectual and physical disabilities, to achieve their full potential. As such, COH serves beneficiaries and their families regardless of race, language or religion.

COH has been a registered member of the National Council of Social Services (NCSS) since 1987. With the core belief that everyone, regardless of ability, has value and deserves to be recognized and appreciated, COH started the Emmanuel Activity Centre – a Day Activity Centre (DAC) for adults with disability in the following year. This was named Emmanuel Activity Centre.

Our organisation was accorded the status of an Institute of Public Charter (IPC) in 1993 – meaning that we are a registered charity are authorised to issue tax deduction receipts for qualifying donations received.

Our HQ and EAC began operating from our current location in Tampines since 2008, followed by a second EAC at Block 171, Toa Payoh in 2009. In 2017, a third DAC dedicated to serving persons on the autism spectrum was opened at Block 161, Toa Payoh as a response to the increasing needs of our sector.

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COH Milestones

1979

Founded by Rev. Alice Shae.

1983

Established a Children’s Activity Centre at Ang Mo Kio Social Service Centre.

1987

Relocated to Seng Poh Road.

Registered as a Society under the Societies Act (Ref No.: 265/86Rel) on July 27.

Attained full membership with the National Council of Social Service (NCSS) on August 1.

Registered as a Charity under the Charities Act, 1982 (Reg No.: 0521) on November 1.

1988

Launched the Emmanuel Activity Centre for adults with intellectual disabilities.

1989

Relocated to Owen Road.

1993

Attained Institute of Public Character (IPC) status on July 27, allowing public fundraising.

1995

Started a program for teenagers with autism spectrum disorders (ASD).

2000

Relocated to Jalan Tembusu.

2001

Initiated a program for adults with autism spectrum disorders (ASD).

2002

Launched a program for adults with cerebral palsy.

2004

Introduced a program for elderly clients with intellectual disabilities.

2005

Began Community Integration Projects with various community partners.

2008

Restructured classes to form clusters with clients of different disability types.

Relocated COH headquarters and one activity centre from Jalan Tembusu to Block 414 Tampines Street 41.

Participated in the 50th Anniversary Carnival at Esplanade Park on August 23-24.

Held the Abilities Roadshow on July 20.

2009

Moved the remaining activity centre from Jalan Tembusu to Block 171 Lorong 1 Toa Payoh.

Hosted the THRIVE 2009 Microsoft Unlimited Potential Scholarship Awards and IT Apprenticeship Graduation Ceremony on October 7.

Participated in the President’s Challenge 2009 event on August 29.

Received a Certificate of Participation for the Sports Carnival for Special Needs on October 2.

2009-2012

The Tree of Life Project made significant community inroads.

2012

Attended the SG Cares Appreciation Lunch.

Received a Certificate of Appreciation for being a valuable partner of SG Cares.

2013

Awarded a Certificate of Appreciation for support from North East CDC and NTUC Fairprice Foundation’s “Wish Upon a Silver Star” initiative.

2014

Participated in the YMCA Community Service Programme in July.

Received the Friends with Admiralty Award from Admiralty Secondary School on April 5.

2015

Awarded a Certificate of Recognition for collaborative efforts with Nanyang Polytechnic for the “Light Their Plight” project on August 11.

Received a Certificate of Appreciation for folding 2,000 stars for North East CDC – NTUC Fairprice Foundation’s “Wish Upon a Silver Star” on March 6.

2017

Received the MSF Volunteer Awards as Friends of MSF on October 20.

The Circle of Life trophy symbolizes unity and volunteerism.

Opened the Emmanuel Activity Centre (Autism) at 161 Toa Payoh on October 28.

2018

Received a Certificate of Appreciation for support and participation in Tampines GRC Voluntary Organisations’ Day on April 7.

2019

Honored with Asia’s NGO Excellence Award for Social Consciousness on August 16.

2022

Received the Friend of ACS Independent Award.

Acknowledged for supporting the differently abled community at Shaping Hearts 2022.

2023

Established the COH Caregiver Group.

2024

Completed renovations at Toa Payoh (Block 171)