Written by Shariffah, Community Worker
What is community? This is a question that shapes much of what we do at Beyond. Building a thriving community isn’t just about solving problems or organizing activities — it’s about creating spaces where people can connect meaningfully, share ideas, and take ownership of their collective future. Community development often begins with small, intentional steps.
Our “Community Day” is one such step.
This isn’t just a celebration, but part of a process — a chance for residents to collaborate, discover their strengths, and build something meaningful together.
Our last Community Day of 2024 was held in Ang Mo Kio and serves as a great example of the positive impact such events have. Residents of all ages, backgrounds, and experiences stepped up to share their ideas on how to make this a memorable event. Some were eager and outspoken; others were hesitant at first. But little by little, everyone found a way to contribute.
What makes our Community Days special isn’t that they go off without a hitch because they rarely do. Disagreements pop up. Schedules clash. People have different visions. But working through those challenges is part of the magic. When people practice listening, problem-solving, and collaboration, they’re inadvertently also strengthening their community.
This particular Community Day was a reflection of what the community had to offer. From the waffle booth run by families to snacks prepared using old recipes shared by neighbours – all of it came from the people who live there. No third-party vendors or outside contractors — just neighbours working together.
But the big hit of the event wasn’t the food and games. It was in the connections made.
Neighbours who barely knew each other before, now greet one another in the hallways as friends, willing to offer a helping hand when it’s needed. And the teens who helped run Community Day activities gained confidence in their ability to lead.
That’s the power of community development. It’s not about one big moment but about creating opportunities for people to gather and build relationships that last.
At Beyond, we believe in the strength and potential that already exists in every community. Our role is to support, guide, and continue to create situations where people can see that strength in action. We believe this is what the world needs, one neighbourhood at a time.
If you believe in this vision, please consider supporting us. Your contributions will help us to continue creating spaces where communities can flourish. Not just for a day, but for a lifetime.
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