James

After losing his mother, James* felt his sense of purpose slip away. In the months that followed, he turned to drugs to cope. He hit rock bottom as his relationship with his father broke down, he was asked to leave home, and he found himself doing things he never imagined just to sustain his addiction. Even when people tried to help, nothing seemed to stick. 

Things began to change when James found WE CARE, a community-based recovery centre. As WE CARE counsellor Laika explains, addiction is not about willpower or moral failing—it is a chronic condition that often needs professional intervention and long-term support. WE CARE takes a trauma-informed approach, addressing the underlying emotional and psychological needs that drive addictive behaviour, whilst helping to reduce the shame and stigma that so often prevent people from seeking help. 

Through WE CARE’s Sober Living Framework, James discovered he was not alone. As he gradually cut ties with old influences, he found a sense of belonging among people who understood his struggles. The lunch sessions for recovering individuals became especially meaningful, as sharing honestly with others who could relate made him feel lighter and helped him stay on track. 

Today, James visits the drop-in centre regularly, managing his recovery one day at a time. Your contributions to Community Chest help fund critical community programmes like those from WE CARE, supporting individuals to rebuild self-worth, strengthen motivation, and move towards a new chapter in life. 

*Name changed to protect personal privacy.