What comes to your mind when you think of the word “mentoring”? For some, it might mean having a role model to look up to, for others, a person you go to for advice in times of trouble.
For 17-year-old Kayley, it means having someone looking out for you, being a listening ear, and most importantly, being a friend.
In her interview with us, we get a glimpse of how she came to know YGOS and the impactful relationships she has since formed here.
This is her story:
“I first came to know about YGOS through a friend who brought me to the Jurong drop-in centre in 2022. Back then, my impression of drop-in was that it was just a place to chill and play games.
At the start, I was very awkward going because most of the other youths that came for drop-in were guys. I would just sit at the side and chill or do my things until one day a staff came to talk to me. I felt very welcomed and the awkwardness slowly went away. His warm presence made me feel comfortable hanging out at drop-in and I started coming back more regularly, but also because my friend invited me back to play sports together like tchoukball and basketball.
I remember there was a time when I encountered some friendship issues in school and 2 YGOS staff who I met during drop-in (Wilson Peh and Grace) intentionally came to talk to me and helped me get through the rough period. They not only gave me good advice on how to handle the situation but also made me feel like I wasn’t alone in the journey.
Having both of them around challenged me to step out of my comfort zone and try new things like facilitating some games at a community camp in 2023! It was my first time doing something like this, running events. They taught me some basics of running programmes and guided me along the way.
Through this experience, I learned to think for others more than myself. It taught me discipline and independence, as it was my first time traveling overseas by myself without my parents.
Before I joined YGOS and met my mentors, I was just living my life not having any goals or direction for my future. However, after getting to know the staff more and having my mentors, I have been inspired by their hearts for the youth, and want to be a social worker when I grow up! The care and concern they have shown me let me know they are sincere because they listen to me, give me advice, and are always there for me!
What I have learned from my mentoring relationships and want to encourage other youths like myself would be to not regret the choices you make. I know everyone will have regrets one way or another, that's why it is important to make careful decisions so you won't have any regrets!"
We hope you had an insightful read and see the importance of mentoring. If you would like to join us and volunteer as a mentor, do drop us an email at irene.neo@ygos.org.sg
Till the next story!
*Names have been changed to protect the identities of the youth
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