When Chia Yang Pheng came out of prison for the tenth time in April 2019, he had lost all hope that he would ever be able to change.

Caught in the snare of drugs since he was in his teens, he had wasted some 40 years of his life behind bars for drug-related offences. 

After his latest release, he was sent to halfway house The Helping Hand (THH) for a one-year rehabilitation programme. Though he was initially reluctant to go, it was there that he found a glimmer of hope.

“As I met with the staff and counsellors here, I experienced their love. I went from thinking that I couldn’t change to believing that maybe I can. I found hope to persevere and keep moving forward,” he told Salt&Light.

Hope also came through his church community. His friends would come to the halfway house every fortnight to have cell group with him. They would take him out for meals afterward, spend time with him and encourage him to join them in serving others.

“My weakness is that I’m afraid of being lonely. When I’m alone, I’ll think too much and do things that I’m not supposed to do, so they would do their best to accompany me,” he said.

Having strong community support is one of the reasons Yang Pheng, now 60 and a staff member at THH, has managed to stay out of prison for more than four years now.

Stressing the importance of coming alongside ex-convicts like himself, he added: “I’m still running this race. If I can find victory, that would be best.”

Going the distance together

Like Yang Pheng, many ex-convicts are persevering on the road to change, thanks to the faithful support of those around them. This is why THH is rallying the public to join in these men’s race of recovery.

The registered charitable organisation works closely with Singapore Prison Service to help with the rehabilitation and reintegration of ex-offenders into society. Each year, they journey with some 150 men and engage them in a variety of social enterprise activities. 

To mark their 36th anniversary, THH is organising Ride & Run to Restore 2023, a fundraising activity that will help to upgrade and support the organisation’s rehabilitation programmes. Their goal is to raise $250,000 by end-August.

From now until July 29, participants can take part in a virtual cycle, walk or run from $35.

Up to 80 participants will also have the special opportunity to be paired with an ex-offender as they take on a 36km cycle or 3.6km walk together at Gardens by the Bay. This category, named Go the Extra Mile, will allow members of the public to interact with these ex-convicts and gain more insight into their journey of restoration.

“Having a supportive community is essential on the road to recovery for ex-offenders. It is through the power of acceptance, understanding and encouragement that individuals can rebuild their lives and find a sense of belonging,” said Michael Cheah, CEO of THH, pointing to Matthew 25:35.

“Together, we can break the chains of judgment and isolation and pave the way for redemption and transformation in Christ.”

Join ex-offenders on their road to recovery

For more details on Run & Ride to Restore 2023, visit their page here.

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