Management
Gerard started his journey in the sector as a youth worker at Bukit Ho Swee Community Project (former name of Beyond Social Services) back in 1982, focusing on providing guidance to hard-to-reach children and youths in the streets who frequently got into trouble with the law because of drugs, gangs and other crimes. Over the years, his duties expanded as he moved on to head Bukit Ho Swee Social Service Centre, as part of a pilot project which eventually contributed to the development of the current island-wide network of FSCs and its service delivery model.
During his time as Centre Co-ordinator, he started the Hangout, a youth centre that addressed the culture of delinquency among the young in the neighbourhood, and conceptualised the Streetwise Programme – a national diversionary initiative for youth in street corner gangs which was adapted by the National Youth Council. Over the 39 years that he has dedicated to the organisation, he has transformed Beyond Social Services from a neighbourhood-based organisation into an island-wide focused strong team that serves over 11000 families across 14 neighbourhoods today.
Gerard is a certified Counsellor in Marriage and Family Therapy; Clinical Member of Association of Marriage and Family Therapy Singapore, and currently sits on the Board of Babes Pregnancy Crisis Support Ltd as Programme Chairman.
Ranganyaki began her career as a journalist and feature writer, before pursuing her Masters in Mass Communications. After which, she undertook several research projects as a research consultant before getting to know Beyond Social Services as a freelance trainer. Inspired by Beyond’s ethos and how it resonated with her own beliefs, she realised so much can be done in the community. She embarked on her journey with Beyond in 2003 and has not looked back since.
Today, Ranga leads the Partnership, Donor Relations and Communications Teams, and direct service neighbourhood teams as Deputy Executive Director. She also lectures in Social Work at Singapore University of Social Sciences and is an adjunct lecturer with the social work department of Potsdam University of Applied Sciences for a module on Poverty, inequality and community approaches in Singapore.
Ranga is a Registered Social Worker, Certified Facilitator in Compassion Based Resilience Training and Community Life Competence Process under The Constellation. She currently sits on the Board of A Good Space Cooperative and is also a Director of Compassion Fund Ltd.
