Success Stories Series :

Making my family proud

A TRYBE YOUTH'S JOURNEY TOWARDS A PURPOSEFUL LIFE

In his younger years, Jon* was impulsive and unmotivated to seek for a more purposeful life. “I had no ambition and goals,” Jon says. “I was just too lazy to think about those things. All I cared for is having fun.”

A thrill-seeker, he began mixing with gang members and was subsequently involved in illicit activities without thinking of the repercussions of his actions. Loyal to a fault, Jon would do anything for his friends even if it meant getting into trouble. It didn’t take long for the law to catch up, and eventually, he found himself sentenced to probation at the Singapore Boys’ Hostel, a rehabilitation institution managed by Trybe.

Like most of the residents in the hostel, Jon eventually opened up to his Social Worker and Youth Worker, and things began taking a turn for the better

Breaking the Walls

Demoralized and disheartened, Jon was not ready to open up to anyone during his first few days in the hostel. “It was a very low point in my life,” he recalls. “I didn’t want to talk to anyone. I didn’t expect that being confined within the walls of the hostel will make me miss home and my freedom.”

“When I first met him, I saw that he was down and distracted about a lot of issues,” his Social Worker, Alex Tay, says. “He kept to himself and struggled to get along with other people in the hostel. But I knew that behind that hard exterior and careless behaviour is a young man who is wise beyond his years.”

Jon’s Youth Worker, Brandon Lim, can attest to that. “He was quiet, but articulate, in a sense that he knew what he did wrong, and he had one goal in mind—to finish probation.”

Like most of the residents in the hostel, Jon eventually opened up to his Social Worker and Youth Worker, and things began taking a turn for the better.

“As he slowly opened up, I noticed a shift in his mindset and our conversations began to change as well,” Alex recalls. “From being nonchalant about the future, he started to show interest in taking the Workplace Literacy and Numeracy (WPLN) assessment.”

Jon was determined to take the exam, but had to face yet another challenge. “On the day of his WPLN test, he went to the wrong assessment venue,” Brandon shares. “He had to come back to the hostel and that definitely put a dent in his morale and motivation. Alex and I, together with the hostel team, managed to urge him to not give up and continue trying.”

"I thought I should put in extra effort to see if I can get anywhere and see what I like,” he says. “But more than anything, I am determined to show my father how far I can go. My time inside the hostel made me realise that the only thing that he asks of me is to do good and study.”

Shift in Perspective

With the encouragement of Trybe staff, Jon decided to take a step forward and bravely take on the WPLN assessment. After committing to tuition for roughly 4-5 months, his hard work was rewarded with excellent results that further encouraged him to take his studies seriously. “I thought I should put in extra effort to see if I can get anywhere and see what I like,” he says. “But more than anything, I am determined to show my father how far I can go. My time inside the hostel made me realise that the only thing that he asks of me is to do good and study.”

Prior to his stay in the hostel, his family was not the focal point of Jon’s life. But this has changed as he witnessed his father step up in improving their relationship and made a conscious effort to reach out to Jon more. “He’d always message me to check if I have eaten or if he wants to share a new TikTok video with me.” he laughs.

Freedom is gold. When you are given a chance to make things right, do not take it for granted,” says Jon

Making Better Choices

Trybe provides rehabilitation for young offenders, while offering them pro-social support that will inspire them to lead crime-free lives. Jon credits his Social Worker and Youth Worker for his new perspective in life. “Not everyone has the ability to inspire people like me to do better,” he shares. “But Mr Alex and Mr Brandon managed to bring out the best in me.”

During the circuit breaker period, Jon was faced with a serious test when he was called to be involved in a gang fight. But his new found loyalty and commitment to his future made him think about the repercussions of his actions. “I can’t risk my freedom, hostel is the only chance I am left with”, Jon recounted. He chose not to go down bearing in mind the consequences awaiting him if he was apprehended again. The new him wanted to do things right and be accountable to his loved ones.

“I couldn’t be prouder,” Alex says. “He is not just making decisions for himself now, but also for his loved ones that care about him and who are important to him.” While he knows he has a long way to go, Jon also wants to show his girlfriend’s parents that he can be a responsible and dependable family man.

“I believe one of his motivations was to make his dad and grandmother proud,” Brandon says. “He has shared before that not being able to see his grandma often, upsets him. He has really done his best to change his life around for his family.”

Contemplating more about his plans, he is still deciding between further progression in his sales and marketing job or pursuing a career in Sports Science and Management.

His journey of self-realization and redemption has not been easy but Jon has endured all trials and tribulations to be the changed man he is today. When asked for a message to all youths with troubled past, he only has this to say “Freedom is gold. When you are given a chance to make things right, do not take it for granted,” says Jon.

*Name has been changed to protect client's identity