When Vattey first joined Kita through the Hatch Immersive+ programme, she was working full-time in retail, unsure of her next step.

“I was curious about digital marketing,” she recalled, “so when my social worker showed me the brochure, I thought, why not?”

That decision changed everything. Through Kita Studios, she completed her first programme with pride, learning to lead, communicate and collaborate. Her capstone project, a Gen Z marketing campaign for Bettr Barista, sparked a confidence that carried her forward.

After an internship elsewhere left her disheartened, a call from her former trainer brought her back to Kita, this time as a marketing intern with Hatch Mediahouse. Later, she transitioned to the Programmes team as a full time staff member, finding new purpose in supporting youths the way she once was.

Today, Vattey runs Kita Space, a chill, creative hub where young people drop in to connect and find their communities. “Space is one of the most wholesome programmes to run,” she said. “Seeing youths share their passions, like Insyirah’s poetry or Zahrah’s Dungeons & Dragons sessions, reminds me why I choose to work here.”

Her advice for new participants? “Stay open-minded. Everything shared in Space is a learning point – be it for now or for later in life.”