Embracing the community spirit
Quinton (Ah Q) never expected that his everyday work and small actions could have such an impact on others. It reminds him of how he was helped and inspired by HKFYG social workers in the past.
Starting from Form Three, Ah Q joined the Neighbourhood First team as a volunteer and later worked full-time at Youth S.P.O.T. after college. He has dedicated a total of 10 years to HKFYG, including both his volunteer and professional roles.
Besides handling frontline work, Ah Q is currently responsible for the digital transformation of the Youth S.P.O.T. He sees this transformation as a way to better connect with young people. By introducing more emerging technologies and activities such as e-sports, digital art, video production, and immersive virtual reality, Ah Q hopes to provide young people with opportunities to explore innovative interests and make the Youth S.P.O.T. their favourite place in the local district.
Since middle school, he has regarded the Tin Yiu Youth S.P.O.T. in Tin Shui Wai as his second home. Besides the rich services and activities, what attracted him the most were the people here, which also related to his personal experience. 「I’m grateful that the social workers there were willing to listen and helped improve my relationship with my family when I ran away from home,」 He said. Without HKFYG, Ah Q believes his relationship with his family would have continued to deteriorate, and he wouldn’t have understood his true self.
Ah Q sees his greatest achievement as building a united Neighbourhood First volunteer team after years of hard work. The most touching moments for him are when young people express their gratitude on social media, recognising him as the person who had the most significant impact on them. It’s a realization of how his everyday work and small actions can influence others, just like HKFYG social workers influenced him.
Ah Q envisions the Youth S.P.O.T. as a place where young people can discover their strengths, overcome challenges, and unleash their talents. Witnessing the gradual growth and transformation of young people is the most meaningful experience for him. It’s like watching a seed slowly sprout, requiring years of nurturing to see the blossoming results. It’s a bittersweet process that demands time and patience, but the anticipation keeps Ah Q motivated to strive for even better youth service.
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「我在青年空間擁有的美好經歷，希望其他年輕人都可以體驗到。」這是胡展華（阿Q）的工作目標。在旁人眼中，阿Q是一個既積極又熱血的鄰舍隊義工，自初中開始，他將青年空間視為第二個家，即使沒有任何義工服務的日子，依然會去青年空間，在這個讓他改變人生軌跡的地方，度過最快樂的時光。
從中三開始參加鄰舍隊義工，阿Q畢業後正式成為全職青年工作員，後來晉升為發展幹事，與青協並肩同行超過十年，青年空間見證了他的成長。回想第一次長者探訪，為他帶來深切感受，「那時候不知道應該做甚麼，甚至不敢開口說話，當見到婆婆很高興有人到訪，不斷感謝我們，那一刻我發現原來做義工的影響力如此巨大，可以帶給人們快樂。」時至今日，他仍然記得那份滿足感。
當年仍是中學生的阿Q，曾去過不同的青年中心參加各種活動，但最終選擇留下來的，就是天耀青年空間。吸引他的除了豐富的服務和活動，更重要的是這裡的人，也與他的個人經歷有關。
「感激青年空間的社工願意聆聽，嘗試去了解我離家出走的原因，並改善了我與家人的關係。」
他續說：「如果從沒接觸青協，或許我與家人的關係會持續惡劣、沒有人陪我聊天、結交不良朋友，甚至不了解自己是怎樣的人。」
這個能夠逆轉人生的地方，使他對青年空間的工作充滿憧憬。真正加入青協工作，由義工搖身一變成為帶領鄰舍隊發展的同工，讓他有更強烈的歸屬感。「乍看大同小異的義工服務，青年願意花盡心思構思及執行，例如這次煲湯，下次一起做手作送給長者，使每次活動都有點不一樣，創造了獨一無二的回憶。」
阿Q寄望可以將自己過去在青協所經歷到的美好事物，傳承給其他青年，讓他們感受到關懷，一起學習和成長。「社會上很多青少年與我有相同的處境，被忽略或流連街頭。我想告訴他們，透過參與社區工作，可以展現獨特的一面，並且有一群能夠感同身受的人陪伴左右。」
經過多年努力，他直言最大的成就是建立了一支凝聚力強的鄰舍義工隊，而令他最感動的是，有青年在社交媒體上感謝他，稱他是今年對自己影響最大的人。「我從沒想過，平日的工作及微小的舉動，竟然能夠為他人產生影響，讓我回想起自己當年也受到青協社工的幫助及啟發。」
「鄰舍．一直都在」這份精神，同時是阿Q的信念，他希望青年空間是一個能夠讓青年發掘自己優點、克服困難及發揮才能的地方。對他來說，最有意義的事情是見證青年逐步成長和轉變。
「就像是種子在土壤中慢慢發芽，經過多年的耕耘才能看到開花結果，需要時間和耐心。這是一個先苦後甜的過程，但正是這種期待，使我不斷保持著做得更好的動力。」
青年空間作為聯繫青年的社區聚腳點，面對數年疫情的衝擊和手機遊戲普及，連繫青年的模式或多或少受到影響。隨著工作崗位的轉變，阿Q處理前線工作外，目前更要負責為青年空間進行數碼轉型。他視這個轉變為一個更貼近青年的方式，「透過引入更多新興科技與活動，例如電競、電繪、影片製作、沉浸式虛擬實境等，給青年嘗試有興趣的創新事物，吸引他們繼續來青年空間，成為區內青年最喜歡的地方。」