The stories of Leung and Zhu reveal the deep connection between family of origin and personal development. Positive family support and meaningful career exploration are crucial for young people to achieve life transitions and break the cycle of intergenerational poverty. With appropriate support and guidance, both of them successfully found a way forward.
Restoring Family Ties and Reigniting Job Aspirations
In his early 20s, Leung left school in Secondary 2. His parents had divorced and his relationship with father was strained to the point of near "zero communication". In early meetings with our social worker, he often appeared lethargic, having inverted his sleep pattern to avoid contact with family members. To help him move past these challenges, the social worker worked with him to examine his current situation and explore possible pathways, enabling him to understand how to make responsible choices within limited circumstances. The social worker also coached him in communication skills to engage his father and face family issues with courage. Over time, relations improved, and his father began to support his employment plans. Leung has been working as an air-conditioning apprentice and planning to enroll in evening adult education course to build towards his future.
From "Lying Flat" to a New Outlook: Breaking the Poverty Cycle
Of a similar age, Zhu left school in Secondary 4 and lived in a single-parent household reliant on Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA). His mother was unemployed and discouraged him from working, leaving him demotivated and absorbed in online games and anime. Our social worker encouraged him to join training and volunteer activities. Through interaction and collaboration with others, he gradually recognized the importance of planning ahead. At the same time, the social worker engaged his mother, emphasizing the value of work for both youth development and family wellbeing, ultimately securing her support. On our recommendation, Zhu joined The Youth Employment and Training Programme of the Labour Department and completed a one-year placement with our social enterprise MacLehose Canteen. He steadily rebuilt his confidence, found satisfaction in a stable work routine, and rekindled his enthusiasm for life.
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