Children with incarcerated parents are almost 3 times as likely to face the criminal justice system once in a lifetime.
As a parent of two, this hard truth startled me when we visited New Life Stories (NLS), a non-profit organisation dedicated to preventing intergenerational incarceration, last year, and left an unforgettable mark on me for a long time to come.
And this is why I am heartened that for Geneco SG's 2024 festive brand campaign, we have launched 'Till The End of Time' initiative, and collaborated with NLS - in the hope of inspiring all to be part of this initiative and help to rebuild family connections despite their situation, to give their children a fairer start to life.
As part of the initiative, we have co-created the book ‘Love Beyond the Walls: Till the End of Time’ together, which is written by inmates under NLS’ programme, illustrated by former inmate artists from CANVAS, and supported by Yellow Ribbon Singapore.
This book is a heartfelt collection of 10 stories that convey love and hope from the incarcerated parents to their children.
In this video, which we also worked with Our Grandfather Story (OGS) and Singapore Prison Service, we featured one of the incarcerated writers of the book, Faliq, and his heartwarming message to his son.
The book is now available for pre-order online, and 100% of proceeds will go directly to New Life Stories to support their Family Strengthening Programme.
Together, let’s #PowerTheChange towards building a forever home – one that belongs to all of us.
www.tilltheendoftime.sg#Brand#Communications#Marketing#CSR
Son, you may not do everything Donald can, but you are the fastest runner in school. Be proud of it. From that day on, Dash never felt sad about what he couldn't do. The state celebrated what it could do, and that made all the difference. Daddy loves you to the end of time. I was on and off drugs for at least 13 years. The moment I got arrested, I felt like my world was actually crushing. Right, this will work. Pada must habis thing the i have to do. Was to call my mom and to tell you the news. So when I call my Mama, you tell mom I'm able to issue and she got caught. She was like. OK, again, what do you need me to do? Stuff no Unlock cell 321. My son was four years old when I was incarcerated. I had to write all the things that I instantly think about it and then he drew a boy and he put point all the arrows and then he. We've missed simple drawing like this a lot that he tells me about him. On times where my son she like daddy when you coming out so I said soon so you'll be like. Can you come out this year? Maybe not. I miss you again. Four years? Really. Being here, right? You know every day is the same. You know you spent hours inside the cell and time is the only thing you own, the only thing that sticks with you. And we do get consumed in our own thoughts because we cannot escape from it. Mondays, we cannot do anything. You just said the King. Replaying, replaying, playing. I think about my mom. My mom is my first love. She's my Wonder Woman. As I was growing up, she had to play both roles of being a mom and a dad. I grew up without a father figure, so I know what it feels like to have that presence missing. So whenever my mom comes right, she makes an effort to pick sign up, come visit me. My mum's present definitely made me want to be there for my son in the same way. I have something that I myself did not get to do when I was like, for example, ice skating. So I want to experience this now at this age with my son. You'll be like, oh daddy, I'm scared. I said I'm also scared. Together we scared. OK, say something. New life stories help me broaden my views of how to be your father. In our program one of the activities. We learn was. Break stories for our children's story that I wrote, it's called Dash the Amazing Horse. What do I hope my son will learn from this story? I want him to be proud of himself. At the same time, also learned that everyone is unique in their own way. What is great about this program is I get to have open visits. There is no glass in between us. I can literally. Pinches cheeks carry him although he's so big, right? And my back wants to break. Back then it wasn't a user mummy boy. Right now I think you're much more closer because it keeps on asking my mom, right? Maybe we see Daddy. When can we see daddy? So he said next year. You're coming out. Alright, ready. OK, going to launch this movie. You can go together. I said OK cool, you buy the tickets. I know money really. Bye bye. Over here, I've learned much about myself. At times I would think about what I want to do outside and how I want to get better. I've lost a lot of time with my loved ones, with the time I have left her with my mom and the future time that I have with my son. I will say they are my strongest motivation to change for the better. I cannot change the class. By his entirely up to me what kind of father and son I will be in the future. I hope by dedicating this story he knows that. He's always in my mind and he's my heart.
Founder at Sweatshop
1moSuch a meaningful project! Congrats Alex!