We Use A.R.T. to Build Communities, Way Before COVID-19
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Emmaus used ART before COVID-19
While the COVID-19 pandemic has made us way too familiar with A.R.T., or Antigen Rapid Test; a strategy used to detect the presence of the COVID-19 virus, Emmaus Strategies has been employing A.R.T. as a strategy to build our community way before COVID-19.
Referring to Awareness, Resilience and Transformation, it describes Emmaus’ strategy to help our community effectively gain awareness about the challenges we are faced with, be equipped with practical handles to begin to build resilience in address these challenges and work synergistically with others to bring about sustainable and long-term transformation.
On Mental Resilience
On 27 May 2022, we were honored to be part of the A Good Space team offering workshops on mental wellness for Singapore National Co-operative Federation’s members’. The event, organized to celebrate Mental Wellness month, was graced by Mr. Alvin Tan, Minister of State, Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth. Being a cooperative of changemakers in Singapore, A Good Space brought together speakers from Emmaus Strategies, The Ubuntu Space and Happiness Initiative to synergistically cover mental well-being using various methodologies.
Happy faces from A Good Space team after wrap up at SNCF’s Mental Wellbeing Workshops
Very insightful on the topic of burnt out. Good tip shared which are applicable to everyday life ~ Emily
On Community Challenges & Needs
On 2 Jun 2022, we were also privileged to be able to bring Walk in our Shoes challenge to volunteers from Forte360. Forte360 is ground-up initiative by a group of youths who are passionate about building essential and soft skills in students from low-income families. With Walk in our Shoes, Forte360 volunteers took part in an experiential simulator that helped participant gain awareness of the challenges families-in-need may face. The latest edition of the simulator has been enhanced with scenarios we may better relate to, following us navigating the pandemic in the last two years.
“Walk in Our Shoes” participants piecing together something…
A simple activity at a first glance, but actually quite thought provoking, enabling participants to come to new realizations on their own about the challenges the less unfortunate might face on a daily basis. ~ Daryl
On Volunteer’s Effectiveness
As a follow-up to Walk in our Shoes Challenges, we have also taken up the challenge to develop and run a new workshop to further equip Forte360 volunteers for their roles.
A primer course on facilitation, the Designing & Delivering Impactful Workshops covered the fundamental skills from planning for the session to practical handles of keeping the momentum going during the session. Especially useful for volunteers whose roles requires them to impart perspectives, skills and knowledge through a facilitated session. And we believe that with these skills, volunteers can be better equipped to bring about greater transformation with the growth that comes from their sessions.
Our Pioneer Class Photo…
Here’s what one of the participants had to say (you can see more comments here):
It was an interesting and engaging session and learnt more about facilitation. The session (taught) me skills to look into the details in presentation slides, importance of active listening ~ Varija
Want to bring awareness, resilience and transformation (A.R.T.) to your workplaces, your volunteers and/or your social purpose entities? Contact us for more information on our mental resilience and strategic volunteer partnerships training programmes.
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James is the Lead Thrive-Synergist & Founder of Emmaus Strategies; a social enterprise that “fuels good”. It does this through Mental Well-Being programmes for individuals and organizations, as well as Strategic Volunteer Partnerships consultancy and training for non-profits.
