Another Week Beyond – 2026

June 29, 2020

Dear Friends,

Faced with charges relating to rioting, mischief, causing hurt, failure to comply with the conditions of a provisional driving licence and riding a motorcycle without insurance, Morris, 19 years old believes that he is heading for jail. A report filed in March, by a probation officer assessed that Morris is not suitable for probation. Following which, a pre-sentencing assessment recommended that Morris be sent to the Reformative Training Centre (RTC).

Unlike Morris, his mother believes that he should be heading home instead of the RTC so that she can keep an eye on him. His older brother also feels that Morris will find it even more difficult to rebuild his life after being incarcerated and he should be given a chance to make amends while living with his family. Hence, in April Morris’s family requested for a pro-bono counsel and early this month, she succeeded in persuading the Court to call for a supplementary probation report. The Court also requested the investigating probation officer to review the family’s care and supervision plan.

This week, a meeting to craft the plan was attended by Morris’s grandmother, an aunt, his mother, and brother. The investigating probation officer, 2 other social workers attending to the family, his girlfriend and a long-time childhood friend were also present virtually. After the purpose of the meeting was reiterated, those present shared why they were there and what they wanted to achieve.

Morris appeared to be in deep thought as his family and friends expressed their commitment to help him stay out of trouble if he is given a probation order. They were convinced that Morris is a decent person despite his infractions, and it would pain them tremendously to see him incarcerated.

Then with much visible remorse, Morris addressed the group. He thanked his mother for never abandoning him despite his numerous errors and poor attitude toward her. Even when he stayed away from home in a huff, she would check in with him to see how he is doing. He also recognised her effort in bringing everyone together for the meeting and declared that he really loved her. He then acknowledged his brother for coming to the meeting even though they have drifted apart as well as his friends who were there.

After some private discussions, the family presented an 11-point plan to the investigating probation officer and the social workers virtually. The plan illustrated how Morris will be supervised and it also addressed his employment, anger management, community service and efforts at repairing the harm he has caused. It was detailed with clear descriptions of responsibility and accountability and it received a nod of approval.

The family is the fundamental group of society and the natural environment for the growth and well-being of all its members. Morris’s family hopes that they have done enough to convince the Court that they are able to help him develop to be a contributing member of our society. We wish them well.

Wishing you and all at home, health, and peace of mind.

Gerard

Once someone in your family orbit, there’s a mutual responsibility and what happens to them, happens to you. – Hank Azaria

PAST AWB POSTS

2610 – Oranges, Dates, and Party Plates

March 6, 2026 No Comments

Story Contributed by Dira, Neighbourhood Leader Some evenings come together in unexpected ways. Our monthly community birthday celebration in Ang Mo Kio happened to fall at a time when Chinese New Year was still in the air and Ramadan was already underway. So the evening became a mix of all three – oranges for the New Year, dates for those breaking fast, and party plates laid out for the children celebrating their birthdays that month. Close to a hundred residents – seniors, adults and children – came downstairs to join the gathering. A few of us residents helped organise the

2609 – How We Spend Our Time

March 6, 2026 No Comments

Story contributed by Anne Marie, Resource Mobilisation It has been some years since we last stood behind a volunteer recruitment booth in a school setting, and so earlier this month, when we were invited to take part in Nanyang Technological University’s Social Impact Week, it felt like a return of sorts. For two afternoons, we found ourselves in the middle of student activity, surrounded by clubs, social enterprises and fellow agencies. We were there with a simple invitation: to talk about volunteering, particularly in support of the older youths in our academic programmes. At our booth, we asked visitors to

2608 – Holding The Middle

February 20, 2026 No Comments

Written by The Beyond Editorial Team She has always cared for others. Long before we knew her, Mdm Sng* was already checking in on elderly neighbours, helping them navigate services, passing along information, gathering what they needed. When we began working in the area, she reached out quickly. Not for herself. For others. Over time, though, something shifted. There was no single incident. Just the quiet accumulation of strain. Our team had become leaner. Priorities evolved. Expectations were not always spoken clearly. Along the way, misunderstandings surfaced. Community tensions are rarely linear. They sit in the middle of relationships –

2607 – Refreshing Our Purpose

February 20, 2026 No Comments

Story Contributed by Shariffah, Community Worker In January, we gathered again in a familiar circle. Since then, three Capability Building sessions have brought together 26 Neighbourhood Leaders and Community Volunteers from three neighbourhoods. It was not a workshop in the traditional sense. It was a space to pause, reflect and ask ourselves what kind of community we are shaping together. The most recent session, Refreshing Our Purpose, did exactly that. It slowed the momentum of activity and returned us to the questions underneath the work: What are we building? For whom? And how do we know it is truly shared?

2606 – Still Here

February 9, 2026 No Comments

As shared by Daybet, Former Beyond Youth Twenty years had passed since Daybet last walked through the doors of Beyond’s office. The space felt smaller than he remembered, but not unfamiliar. Before he could fully take it in, he saw a face that pulled him straight back into memory. “Uncle George!” George paused. It took a second. Then recognition landed – fittingly, on the very day he marked 23 years of working at Beyond. What followed was the easy rhythm of reunion: updates exchanged, laughter over half-forgotten details, stories filling in the years that had slipped by. “You remember Daybet?”

2605 – It Takes Time

January 29, 2026 No Comments

Written by Wilson, Community Worker I first met Jamie* early last year. She sat close to her mother and said very little. When I asked her questions, her mother often answered first, then turned to Jamie to check if she wanted to add anything. Jamie listened carefully, nodding, offering short replies when she felt able to. Her mother had approached us for support because Jamie was no longer in education or employment. Since leaving school, Jamie spent most of her time at home. Apart from attending school previously, she rarely went out, and once that routine ended, her days became

2604 – When Learning is Small Enough to Notice

January 29, 2026 No Comments

Story Contributed by Jie Ying, Community Worker Last Saturday, we gathered to mark the end of a small Early Learning Programme class at Lengkok Bahru. The class began in June last year with seven children. Over time, some families moved on as needs shifted and priorities changed. By January, three children remained. We did not see this as a shortcoming. Community work often teaches us that participation ebbs and flows, and that small numbers are not a sign of failure but an invitation to pay closer attention. With fewer people in the room, there is more to notice. Parents sat

2603 – When Youths Take the Field

January 20, 2026 No Comments

Story Contributed by Yik, Resource Mobilisation In December last year, a small group of children gathered at Delta Sports Centre for a football session. There were six of them, between four and nine years old. One of the youngest arrived with his mother, staying close as the day unfolded. The session wasn’t run by adults or coaches brought in from outside. It was planned and led entirely by Learning Coaches – youths from the community who already spend their weeks supporting younger children with learning. Over time, these youths have become familiar faces to families, people children listen to and