Family is a youth’s first support system. From the moment they were born, the family stands ready to render guidance and help as young people find their place in the world

At Trybe, families play an integral part of a youth’s intervention, rehabilitation, and reintegration journey. Previous studies have also shown how family has been the most salient factor in bringing the youth back onto the right path.  We talked to some of our youths to find out more about how their families have played a role in helping them turn their lives around.

“My family was and still my reason to do well” – Jake, Trybe Youth

Jake^* was actively involved in gang-related vices. After probation and a 6-month long stay at the Singapore Boys’ Hostel, he came to realize how his actions have negatively impacted his family. Taking the first step to pursue the Workplace Literacy & Numeracy assessment, Jake was determined to do well and make his father proud with his results. He also wanted to show his father how far he could go with his educational achievements and what he could achieve in life despite starting off on the wrong foot. He admitted that his father was the human figure that sparked his motivation to find his life purpose. Furthermore, the increased responsibility he took on with his family formed the basis for him to revoke his gang membership. With family taking a central role in his rehabilitation process, Jake is now pursuing a career in sales and management while working hard to put himself through future studies. 

“My family is my pillar of support and encouragement” – Michael, Trybe Youth

Being an aggressive and temperamental youth, Michael was frequently involved in fights. But no matter what kind of incidents he was involved in, he would always share his problems with his mother back home. Rather than bottling things up in hopes to resolve them by himself, he always saw his mother as a safe haven where he could return to and share his troubles with. When he successfully completed his probation, his mother offered words of praise that ignited a sense of warmth in Michael that he had never felt before. He revealed that his mother rarely compliments him and it is this verbal form of encouragement that will keep him going in the future. 

*name has been changed to protect the client’s identity