“I felt that I had lost the brother I loved.” Clement’s sister teared up as she shared about the difficulties seeing Clement move in and out of prison 5 times.
We all love someone, and you have experienced the pain of loss. The dog you used to walk, the grandma you used to visit, or even the brother you used to have. But sometimes, they disappoint you, and you decide that to protect yourself, you have to keep your distance.
That was what Clement experienced when he went into The Helping Hand, a halfway house. It was his fifth incarceration and he knew that he had hit the “bottomless pit”. His girlfriend was on the verge of leaving him, after waiting for him for the past 3 times. He knew he had left his sister exasperated, as she often had to help with the paperwork of contacting different agencies.
So that night in February 2025, Clement knew he was running a risk when he texted his sister, asking if she would come for the Family Support Group.
Somehow, she agreed.
And hearing her sharing that night, Clement knew that this time, he was not just recovering for himself. He was recovering for his family. His sister had just lost her husband, and his mother was now bedridden. His father, despite his age, and difficulties walking, would often drag his walking stick, all the way to Changi, just to visit him.
Sometimes, his father, because of his age, would forget.
But because of the Family Support Group, Clement had a chance to reconcile with his sister, and later his family. Seeing their forgiveness despite his many mistakes motivated him to fight harder for his recovery.
Yes, sometimes we may be resistant to donate because we think that ex-convicts deserve the punishment they get. Yes, they may have made mistakes. But they are changing.
Their families and loved ones are also hurt to see them in this manner.
This Christmas, you aren’t just donating to help people like Clement. You’re donating to help his family, his loved ones to rebuild their lives again.
Because behind every ex-offender is a family, and behind every mistake is a continued journey of recovery. Would you join us on this journey?