Stories of Lakeside
Mavis
When you first meet Mavis, you would never guess that this passionate and bubbly lady who dedicates her life to helping the incarcerated was once a high-flying corporate executive. She had a successful 26-year career at FedEx until she felt drawn to give back to the community. Although the transition to a social service organisation was a big adjustment, Mavis embraced it. Inspired by Lakeside’s work, she joined us full-time to pursue her passion for supporting families in need.
Starting out as a counsellor, she conducted family programmes, release preparation programme, and groupwork in prison. These days, she is a friendly face at our Family Resource Centre at Changi Prison providing vital information, referrals, social work support and counselling for inmates and their families. Mavis’ role is to help them overcome challenges by linking them to financial, social, and employment support.
Not forgetting the families and children left vulnerable when loved ones are incarcerated, she cares deeply for their well-being and works hard to stabilise these families. Her proudest accomplishments include restoring relationships by influencing inmates to keep writing to their families from prison until they receive a response.
Through the years, Mavis has always taken part in Lakeside’s Cross-Island Walk events, at times walking for up to 7 hours to help raise awareness and much-needed funds for her work with ex-inmates and their families. According to Mavis, her stamina grows along with her perseverance each year!