DPM Teo Chee Hean at Bizlink Inaugural Charity Golf Tournament & Appreciation Dinner on 11 March 2016

Dr Sureash Balan, Chairman, Bizlink Centre

Mr Lim Hock Leng, Chief Operating Officer, Institute of Mental Health 

Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen

Introduction

A very good evening to all of you. Thank you for being here today to support Bizlink’s mission of “Empowering Our Disadvantaged Singaporeans through Employment.”

I remember launching the Bizlink Family Carnival and Job Fair at the Sengkang Community Club in August 2013, where employers came forward to offer job opportunities including jobs that are friendly to persons with disabilities and special needs. And I am happy to join all of you here tonight.

Being Resilient and Self Reliant Through Employment Opportunities for Persons With Disabilities & the Needy Disadvantaged  

In the past three decades, Bizlink has assisted more than 10,000 persons with disabilities and special needs to be more independent, and to play a role in the community through employment.  

Bizlink has grown from providing vocational assessment and employment placement services to becoming a leading sheltered employer with seven social enterprises providing employment and training opportunities for the disadvantaged, especially persons with disabilities. 

Bizlink has worked closely with partners such as the Institute of Mental Health (IMH). Since 2013, the Bizlink Café at IMH has created employment opportunities for recovering mental health patients.
  
Among us today, are 15 participants and officials who will take part in the International Abilympics later this month. The “Olympics of Abilities” is a skills competition for persons with disabilities and special needs. Our Abilympians this year include persons with physical and sensory disabilities as well as recovering patients from IMH. We wish them all the best in the competition. 

Community Engagement & Involvement

Thanks to the strong support from generous donors and committed partners, Bizlink has been able to do good work to help the disadvantaged in Singapore, in particular persons with disabilities, to be empowered and be included in the community through employment.  

We hope that your generosity will also inspire others, so that together we can build a more caring and inclusive society in Singapore.

Conclusion

I congratulate Bizlink on your 30th anniversary, and thank the Charity Golf Organising Committee for organising the golf event and dinner. I wish Bizlink many more good years as you continue to help persons with disabilities to be employed and engaged in the community.  

Thank you.