Touching the lives of youth offenders

Mr William Chua, Executive Director

Ladies and Gentlemen, 

A very good morning

1. Thank you for inviting me to join you at Teen Challenge's inaugural fundraising event “Biking for Charity – Heart of Courage”. To all the riders who took part in the event – thank you for your support – and I hope you had a smooth ride.

A fair and inclusive society

2. The work that organisations like Teen Challenge do is extremely important as it contributes to making Singapore a fair and inclusive society. Sometimes young people may make wrong choices early in life, and wish for second chances. Sometimes, it is not apparent who they can turn to for help, to get back on track. Teen Challenge has been one such go-to organisation for these youth.

3. Set up in 1976, Teen Challenge is among the earliest organisations here to provide rehabilitation and after-care services for youth offenders. Over the last 39 years, Teen Challenge has reached out to more than 12,000 youth and their families, to help them move on from a bad start in life. I want to commend Teen Challenge for their commitment and dedication!

Turning troubled lives around

4. Many of these youth have, in their own ways, rebuilt their lives, and even became an inspiration to others. I'd like to share about three of such young people. Mr Glenn Lim, 45, was a rebellious teenager who frequently dropped out of school. Glenn's parents had sent him to Teen Challenge for counselling, where he showed signs of turning for the better. Unfortunately, he started experimenting with drugs after he left Teen Challenge, and was caught for importing them. Glenn came close to a life sentence and 24 strokes of the cane, but it was reduced to a sentence of 6 months, in part due to a positive report from Teen Challenge. After Glenn served his sentence, he returned to Teen Challenge on his own accord and decided to change for good. Glenn now sits on their Board of Directors.

5. Some people think that children from broken families tend to get into trouble. That was not the case for Ms Kelly Huang. Her parents doted on her, but she joined a street gang at the age of 15 and started playing truant. Soon, Kelly had about 20 girls under her charge, and got into fights almost on a daily basis. In 2001, she was placed under probation with Teen Challenge where she underwent 6 months of counselling. Over time, the counsellors won her trust and respect, and convinced her to leave the gang. Kelly's now 32, happily married and the proud mother of 1-year-old Joash.

6. Mr Mark Vera, 53, came to Teen Challenge because of his 7-year-long addiction to drugs. With the support of Teen Challenge counsellors, he broke free from his addiction. Mark went on to join Teen Challenge and in turn, helped hundreds through their journey of recovery. Mark now works in a family service centre, and continues to serve the vulnerable members of our community. Being role models for our youth, Mark and Kelly were selected as torch bearers for the 2010 Youth Olympic Games.

Support of the community is critical

7. They show us that no matter how rough a start we may face, we should never give up. With the support around us, like the voluntary welfare organisations, and Teen Challenge, we are all well placed to be given a second or third chance. Again, we want to say a big thank you to Teen Challenge for touching so many lives.

8. Help is also readily available with family members and loved ones. As family members, friends, or just as a fellow Singaporean, we should continue to stay by their side, never shun them or give up on them.  To this end, I think the community has a lot to do; they must also be willing to accept former offenders at their workplaces or schools so that they can be a part of our society again.

Conclusion

9. Finally, I would like to thank the organising committee, sponsors, donors and bikers for making today possible. This is the first step we've taken in this journey to continue to touch the lives of youth offenders, and ensure that they can be a beacon of hope to other youths in Singapore. On this note, I want to wish everyone a very awesome weekend. Thank you very much!