She overcame her parents’ doubts and stigma to become a psychologist helping vulnerable teen girls

She spends her days – and often nights too – receiving and assessing data points on the girls’ conditions and needs, meeting with them at the home and attending to their basic psychological needs.

“I see myself as being that consistent adult who needs to show up for these young ladies, so we can help them through that journey.”

She also serves as an advocate for the home in fundraising efforts and meeting would-be corporate donors. 

One misconception she often encounters outside of the home and with volunteers is an expectation that children and teens undergoing adversity will present in a certain way.

“A common comment would be: ‘Oh, she looks so normal. She’s all dressed up like any other teenager’. But what do you expect?”

Ms Wong has also heard pointed comments about someone from a lower-income background spending on seemingly non-essential items such as bubble tea. 

“What they didn’t (see) was that bubble tea was the only thing she had for the whole day. So that bubble tea, for four bucks, was the happiest thing that she could have that day.”

She added: “That’s how we all cope with life. We don’t always show how we feel.”