Story contributed by Jia Wen, Volunteer
When Nadia* first joined the academic support group at Jalan Bukit Merah, the year was already in full swing. Most of the other youths had been part of the programme since the start where they had sat in a circle, shared what mattered to them, and co-created a social contract to guide their time together. It was a way to name the kind of space they wanted to build, one anchored in respect, self-control, freedom, happiness, and security.
Nadia hadn’t been part of that process. She started coming midway through the year, often alongside her friends. From what I observed, she didn’t seem especially interested in the academic support – her phone was usually in hand, and sometimes she’d show her screen to her friend mid-session, breaking their concentration. Still, she kept showing up. Week after week.
Maybe it was for the company. Or maybe something about the space felt comfortable and safe.
A Community Worker suggested I walk her through the social contract, since she had missed the discussion. I hesitated. Based on what I’d seen, I wasn’t sure how she’d respond. But I decided to try anyway.
I sat beside her and her friend, unfolded the contract, and explained where it came from – how the group had talked through the kind of environment they wanted to create together. That it wasn’t something written by adults or volunteers, but by them. That these weren’t rules, but reminders of how to look out for one another, how to share a space meaningfully, and how to stay accountable to each other.
They both listened closely. When I asked if they’d like to sign it, Nadia reached for the pen and wrote a name that clearly wasn’t hers. Her friend nudged her gently, half-laughing. “Come on lah.”
Nadia grinned, then crossed it out and wrote her real name.
And for the first time, Nadia picked up a pencil and quietly worked through a few math questions.
It wasn’t about a dramatic change. It was a small shift. A choice to participate in a space that now made more sense to her.
Reflecting on it, I realised that it wasn’t about motivating her to behave differently. It was about offering context. Showing her that this space wasn’t just for her, it was shaped by everyone who walked through the door. And that what she did here, like everyone else, mattered.
That day, Nadia didn’t just sign a piece of paper.
She signed up for the “we.”
In community work, we often talk about helping youths feel like they belong. But belonging is just the start. What we really want is for them to realise: this space is ours to protect, to shape, and to show up for together.