About the Founder
Ms. Adeline Wong
is founder and director of HIM. Prior to establishing HIM, she was the Integrated Ministry Lead at the largest Christian prison ministry organisation in Singapore, overseeing over 800 staff and volunteers reaching out to over 1,200 prisoners, ex-offenders and their family members. After 8 years of full-time service, she now serves as a volunteer with Prison Fellowship Singapore.
Adeline is a Certified Substance Abuse Counsellor and a trainer conducting in-prison sessions at Singapore Prisons. She is also a Certified Animal-Assisted Psychotherapist with further practical skills-based training completed in Australia. She graduated from National University of Singapore with additional post-graduate training from TCA College (Graduate Diploma of Christian Studies), WSQ Advanced Certificate in Learning and Performance, and completed the ACE Capstone Leadership Programme for Non-Profits (Aalto University, Centre for Non-Profit Leadership & LIEN Centre for Social Innovation). She is also a Pastoral Member of the Association of Christian Counsellors Singapore and a Council Member of Parochial Church Council in her church.
Featured in
Salt and Light, 17 February 2024: https://t.me/saltandlightsg/2600 and Video dated 16 February 2024: https://youtu.be/bzDxqabizos?si=eSewNgMvJZW_XD40
Salt and Light, 29 November 2023: https://saltandlight.sg/service/her-mini-zoo-offers-therapy-and-activities-for-the-marginalised-and-those-affected-by-crime/?fbclid=IwAR20l6D0DupwbQgIV2Unkjkzk7gm6SKNOFFiCpOngTcCKpH-3lMLofq-OJ0
PRIME magazine, Aug-Sep 2021: https://prime.sg/product/prime-magazine-aug-sep-2021-issue/ (page 53-54)
Clubpets magazine, 5 May 2021: https://www.clubpets.com.sg/a-life-renewed-human-animal-bond-in-ministry-him-re-assimilating-ex-convicts/
Salt and Light, 10 March 2020: https://saltandlight.sg/faith/my-dad-was-hanged-for-drugs-now-adeline-wong-is-helping-the-prison-ministry-that-once-helped-her-family/
https://pfs.org.sg/our-stories/my-husband-was-sentenced-to-death-but-i-was-given-a-new-life
https://capt.nus.edu.sg/wp-content/uploads/rb162844_nus_capt_story_final_plus.pdf (page 76-79)
Contributor in
Kogan, Lori R. Careers in One Health: Social Workers’ Roles in Caring for Humans and Their Animal Companions, Talor & Francis, 2023.
Social workers play a critical role in the wellbeing of communities – trained to help individuals, families, and groups effect positive change and address barriers that stand in the way of optimal life and wellbeing. In addition to a focus on people, many social workers include animals in their definition of systems and family units, leading to endless ways they have successfully incorporated animals into their work.
This book offers insights from pioneers as well as practitioners in the field who have created their niche within this growing area. Coming from the philosophy that we cannot work towards what we do not know exists, this book offers knowledge, pathways, and advice from those who have succeeded in including their love for animals into their careers, shining a light on the path for those who share similar passions.
The book can be used as a supplemental textbook in undergraduate and graduate social work academic programs as well as a resource for social workers in the field looking for ways to expand their work.
Research & Resource Development: Dr Priscilla Ang is a family physician with specialist training in mental health. She has worked closely with the marginalised and youth at risk. She assists HIM with research and resource development e.g. creation of lesson plans and report writing.