He helps abuse victim offer hope to others

Community worker takes initiative to engage residents in supporting one another

- FENG ZENGKUN

He thought it was the end of traumatic abuse at home. Instead, it led to a new beginning, one that started with a simple question: Would she consider befriending others suffering similar struggles?

After enduring years of domestic violence, the mother of a teenage daughter, in her 40s, had finally rebuilt her life. With help from her social worker Amos Liu, she had secured a personal protection order, found legal aid, and regained her independence over 18 months.

Then, just as she was ready to move on, Mr Liu, 30, made the request. She didn't hesitate. She knew exactly what others needed. Someone who would listen. Someone who would understand.

"She had shared that at her lowest," recalls Mr Liu, "all she needed was someone to talk to — someone constant. When she realised that she could be that someone for somebody else, she wanted to contribute."

Last May, he introduced her to another domestic violence survivor who was a colleague's client. Their connection was immediate. The two women quickly bonded and became friends, offering mutual support that continues today.

"My colleague's client was grateful because she now has one more person to talk to, apart from her social worker," says Mr Liu.

An ecosystem of care These personal connections are central to Mr Liu's work at social service agency Allkin Singapore's Family Service Centre (FSC) @ Punggol 616, where he is spearheading a more community-centric approach to casework.

Allkin, formerly known as AMKFSC Community Services, supports lower-income and vulnerable people and families, helping them work towards stability, self-reliance and social mobility.

Mr Liu, who started as a social worker, is now transitioning into a community worker role in a team of eight, where he focuses on building support networks among residents. He divides his time between handling casework and developing community initiatives at the FSC.