What youths hear matters. Who they hear it from decides whether it sticks. Drug prevention has long been a national priority in Singapore, supported by strong enforcement, structured rehabilitation, and sustained public education efforts. Yet the challenge continues to evolve.

My name is Sarah*, and I am 15 years old. For as long as I can remember, life has felt confusing and lonely. My parents divorced when I was very young. As the years went by, both of them remarried and started new families. While they moved on with their lives, I often felt like I did not belong anywhere. When I visited my mother's home, I felt like a guest. When I stayed with my father's family, I felt the exact same way. Everyone seemed to have their place in the family exce

Mr Ng is the sole breadwinner for the family of seven with five children. Our staff got to know the family when one of the children got into some trouble & was referred to Guidance Programme (GP) at Youth Guidance Outreach Services (YGOS) Geylang Centre in Aug 2022. After understanding more about the financial situation of the family, our staff introduced the Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund (STSPMF) to the family. Since then, YGOS has helped four of the children to app

Alejandro never planned to become a youth worker. At one point, he was considering a mid-career switch into physiotherapy because of his background and interest in sports. But during a period where he was doing part-time driving work, he had two unexpected encounters that changed the direction of his life.

“I’m quite bubbly and talkative. I like hanging out and having friends,” Ming En shares with an easy smile. Her first encounter with YGOS happened not at a centre, but in her primary school, shortly after PSLE. The team had organised a post-exam activity, introducing students to kin-ball and inviting them to visit the drop-in centre where, she was told, there were plenty of games. That detail caught her attention. “I came here just for the games,” she laughs.

“If I wanted to play, I had to fight with my brother for the phone,” Jun Xian laughs. He started playing Mobile Legends in Primary 3 or 4, sharing his mum’s phone and squeezing in matches whenever he could. Most of the time, he played alone. It was something he enjoyed, but it was just that.… a game and a way to pass time. Today, he still plays, but he no longer plays alone, and Mobile Legends is only one small part of a much bigger story.

For as long as she can remember, Gracie lived life keeping things to herself. She showed up where she needed to be, but internally, she was holding a lot in. “I was very quiet,” she said. “I didn’t really share my feelings with anyone.” That began to change the day she walked into a YGOS drop in centre.

Alan (not his real name) shared how his parents’ unwavering support, even after his past mistakes, inspired him to believe that his story can have a better chapter and not to give up on himself.

YGOS Cyber Outreach has officially launched and it has already made the news. Recently featured on CNA, YGOS Cyber Connect spotlighted how gaming and digital platforms are being used as intentional tools to reach youths where they already spend much of their time: online. The feature marked more than a media moment. It signalled a shift in how youth work must evolve in a digital-first world.

For Joey, most days after school looked the same. Laptop on, Discord open, Roblox with friends. It was her world, her space, and her way of escaping the noise of school and the pressure to fit in. “Online, I can just disappear if I want to,” she said. “But it also gets lonely.” Like many young people today, Joey was connected but still felt unseen.

For Yong Zhi, basketball isn’t just a game, it’s everything. “It gives me a sense of belonging,” he said. “I can play without anyone judging me. And my teammates, they support me. That’s why I love it.”

Berdine doesn’t remember a time when she wasn’t dancing. “I started dancing when I was three,” she laughed. “My cousin used to blast Super Junior at home… and I’d just start moving to the beat.”