YWCA Empowering Women presents: 𝐁𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐥, 𝐁𝐞 𝐁𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫, a talk coming to you at our YWCA HeART Beats!
Join us for an empowering and transformative seminar with Ms Gabrielle Loh and Dr Geraldine Tan, where we explore the dynamic intersection of personal branding and mental wellness. This event is your opportunity to gain the tools, insights, and inspiration needed to elevate your personal brand while nurturing your mental well-being.
📍 YWCA Fort Canning , Hope and Faith Room Level 3
📅 24th August 2024, Saturday
⏰ 9:15am to 11:30am
💵 $30 (incl. goodie bag and refreshments)
Hurry! Seats are limited! Click here to register now!
Empowering Mums 8 (EM8)
Empowering Mums is coming back for its eighth run in November! The newly revamped EM8 programme will feature 6-weekly sessions from 8 November to 14 December 2024.
With the continued support from constant and new content providers and programmes sponsors, the mothers will guided through a journey with skills-based workshops and facilitated group work sessions. These sessions seek to enable the mothers’ self-discovery and empower them to find employment and thrive emotionally and socially.
EM8 Nov 2024 – Dec 2024 Programme Schedule
The programme schedule is as follows:
|
Date & Time |
Programme |
Content Partner |
|
8 November 2024 (Fri) 6 pm – 9.30 pm |
EM8 Launch Dinner: Finding your Strengths Session, Programme Briefing & Graduates’ Sharing |
Ms Josephine Ong from R&D Education and Training, YWCA, EM Graduates |
|
16 November 2024 (Sat), 9 am – 1 pm |
YWCA *Group Work Session & Reality of Job Hunting Workshop |
YWCA, Ms Livia Lee from Top Employers Institute |
|
23 November 2024 (Sat) 9 am – 1 pm |
YWCA Group Work Session & Resume Writing Workshop |
YWCA, Barbara Crane |
|
30 November 2024 (Sat), 9 am – 1 pm |
YWCA Group Work Session & Dress with Success Workshop |
YWCA, Image Mission |
|
7 December 2024 (Sat) 9 am – 1 pm |
YWCA Group Work Session & Interview Skills Coaching Workshop |
YWCA, Image Mission |
|
14 December 2024 (Sat) 9 am – 3 pm |
EM8 Makeover & Graduation Ceremony |
YWCA, Makeover Partners & Communality Partners. |
*Comprises of socioemotional group learning of skills and concepts such as self-esteem, positive reframing, growth mindset, emotional regulation, etc.
Venues: YWCA Fort Canning, 6 Fort Canning Road S179494 & YWCA National Office, 254 Outram Road, S169051
Childminding support (for children above 2 years old) is offered for participating mothers who need it throughout the 6 weeks.
Further Support
Mothers can look forward to invitation to career fairs and access to employment opportunities with YWCA, Chye Thiam Maintenance and many more. Additionally, mothers can also join us for other upskilling programmes (e.g., digital literacy) and journey with a group of like-minded women who come from similar backgrounds in our continuous support group – Empowering Circles – initiative that is led by mothers for mothers.
Registration
To register for EM8, please click here to check the eligibility criteria and registration process. You can also access our application form here.
Special Thanks
YWCA can continue its goal of serving mothers from marginalised backgrounds through the Empowering Mums programme due to the generous contributions of our sponsors. We are also deeply thankful to our new and returning content providers who are graciously contributing their time and expertise to equip and enable mothers to realise their potential and improve their employability.
YWCA would also like to express our heartfelt gratitude to the donor behind the Bamboo Lotus Fund for supporting our women empowerment efforts.
Project Sponsors:
Content Partners:
Metropolitan YMCA, YMCA of Singapore, YWCA of Singapore, in partnership with SG Enable, launch Y+ to better serve persons with disabilities and their caregivers
Singapore, 7 June 2024 – Metropolitan YMCA (MYMCA), YMCA of Singapore (YMCA), YWCA of Singapore (YWCA) , and SG Enable , jointly announce the launch of Y+, a pioneering collaborative community engagement initiative for persons with disabilities and their caregivers. For the first time ever, MYMCA, YMCA, and YWCA are joining forces to launch this initiative to serve and impact persons with disabilities and their caregivers. This unprecedented collaboration unites the strengths and resources of each Association to foster inclusion, support, and meaningful engagement within the community. It heralds the start of collaborative efforts to find new ways to serve and impact persons with disabilities and their caregivers.
Y+ brings together the collective expertise and resources of the 3Ys with the support of SG Enable to offer more community-based options for persons with disabilities after they graduate from school beyond the traditional services such as Day Activity Centres and Sheltered Workshops in centre-based settings. The initiative will empower persons with disabilities and their caregivers to be more fully integrated within the community.
The Y+ collaboration aims to roll out innovative community solutions that support persons with disabilities and their caregivers during the critical transition from SPED (Special Education) schools to employment and community integration. Initiatives such as Y Crops @ Metropolitan YMCA, Y Dance @ YMCA of Singapore and Y Wellness Weave @ YWCA (see Annex A) are pilot programmes that demonstrate the collaborative efforts to meaningfully engage persons with disabilities through urban farming, dancing and craft-making. The end goal is foster a sense of community, inclusion and therapeutic interactions.
“This historic collaboration exemplifies our Associations’ unwavering dedication to building a community of care and support for persons with disabilities. More importantly, this initiative establishes a visionary framework to create a vibrant, inclusive ecosystem where they thrive and find meaningful opportunities throughout their adulthood,” said Ms Grace Chan, Group CEO of Metropolitan YMCA. “We are honoured that Y Crops @ MYMCA is part of this united effort of enhancing the quality of life for persons with disabilities by prioritising their emotional and mental well-being – allowing them to lead fulfilling lives with dignity,” she added.
General Secretary & CEO of YMCA of Singapore, Ms Wu Mei Ling, commented, “The YMCA of Singapore’s mission is to serve and impact all members of the community regardless of race, language, or religion. By collaborating with Metropolitan YMCA and YWCA of Singapore, guided by SG Enable, we would be able to amplify our mission to serve more members of the community through more touchpoints and programmes for PWDs and their caregivers. Through this collaboration, we hope to build an ecosystem of seamless support consisting of our members, volunteers, partners, PWDs and their caregivers.”
YWCA’s Executive Director, Ms Ong Puay See said,” As a women’s charity, YWCA is keenly aware of the stresses and burdens that the mothers carry when caring for their child. YWCA is happy to be able to support the disability community by providing respite care for caregivers through the Y Wellness Weaving programme. Over the longer term, we welcome more mums who are keen to take up the artisan craft of weaving to join our Weaving enterprise.”
Aligned with its mission of creating equitable opportunities for persons with disabilities through impactful partnerships, SG Enable supports the three Associations through funding, connecting them to expertise and resources, and fostering knowledge exchange.
“Together with the 3Ys, we are sewing a tapestry of support, weaving together opportunities for independence, inclusion, and connection. This collaboration reflects SG Enable’s commitment to fostering impactful partnerships and innovative solutions to benefit persons with disabilities and their caregivers.,” said Ku Geok Boon, CEO of SG Enable.
-End-
Annex A: Y+ Pilot Programmes
Y Crops @ Metropolitan YMCA
Y Crops @ Metropolitan YMCA was established to harness the potential of MYMCA’s inaugural organic vegetable farm in addressing the challenges faced by persons with disabilities as they transition beyond the age of 18. This unique community outreach program offers them the opportunity to engage in activities outside their homes, promoting social interaction and mental stimulation. Aiming to enhance social mobility and character development, Y Crops provides hands-on exposure to sustainable farming practices as a therapeutic activity for both persons with disabilities and their caregivers. This initiative represents a collaborative effort between Metropolitan YMCA and Club LITE of YMCA Singapore that officially launched in February 2024. Since its inception, Y Crops has engaged 15 persons with disabilities and 15 caregivers in a series of six sessions, where participants participated in seeding and harvesting the organic vegetables.
Metropolitan YMCA, through SG Enable’s training Place-and-Train Programme, a programme to encourage employers to provide job and training opportunities to persons with disabilities. Employee Isaac Thomas Komatt, 26, was able to explore his vocational interest and acquired relevant skills to conduct the Y Crops programme for Club LITE members.
Y Dance @ YMCA of Singapore
YMCA of Singapore is committed to supporting PWDs and their caregivers through Y Dance, which provides a platform for engagement through dance. Beyond just physical activity, dancing offers a unique avenue for creative expression, particularly beneficial for those who may struggle with verbal communication. By immersing themselves in the rhythm and movement, participants can discover new ways to express themselves and find joy in the process. This not only enhances their emotional well-being but also fosters social interaction and self-discovery. For caregivers, Y Dance offers an opportunity to connect with their children and form bonds with other caregivers in a fun environment, nurturing a supportive and compassionate community.
YMCA Club LITE, through the Enabling Lives Initiative Grant managed by SG Enable and funded by Tote Board, to engage persons with disabilities who have graduated from Special Education schools but are not in employment or adult disability care services. The programme enhances confidence for independent living through life-skills training and meaningful engagement during the transition to employment or adult disability care services.
Y Wellness Weave @ YWCA of Singapore
With the Y Wellness Weave programme, YWCA of Singapore offers a quiet sanctuary at its Weaving Studio where persons with disabilities and caregivers can find respite through the therapeutic art of weaving. More than just a craft, weaving helps promote mental wellness and allows an avenue for creative self-expression. The craft is easy to pick up, with no mistakes to be made or rules to follow. Each weaving session is facilitated by YWCA’s beneficiary mothers, who are themselves symbols of resilience. Besides providing respite care for caregivers, Y Wellness Weave aims to foster a sense of community and belonging where caregivers can come together in a safe and supportive environment. Persons with disabilities and caregivers who are keen to undertake flexi-work, can also sign up for training and join the YWCA Weaving Enterprise.
YWCA through the Caregiver Empowerment Fund for ground-up initiatives that empower caregivers of persons with disabilities to better care for their care recipients and themselves, to promote sustained engagement of caregivers with increased access to resources and social networks, as well as improved well-being.
+++
🫶This Mother’s Day at Café Lodge, mum dines free for every 3 paying adults at our popular Porridge Buffet. On top of this, we are also giving away a complimentary steamed fish (~500g)!
😋Come and enjoy a tantalizing spread of dishes like pork trotters, chilli lala with mantou, fresh cold prawns, braised duck, squid, condiments, desserts and many more.
Don’t miss out and make your reservations today!
🥰All our net proceeds go towards YWCA’s community service programmes so your support will also be a blessing others in need.
For more information, please contact Café Lodge
Sun-Thurs: 7.00am to 9.00pm
Fri, Sat & Eve of Public Holidays: 7.00am to 10.00pm
Phone: 6335 8008 / 8009
Email: ywcacafe@ywca.org.sg
WhatsApp: https://wa.me/message/5X7JYFKZAMHXN1
JOINT MEDIA RELEASE
YWCA Transfers Preschool Operations to New Life Community Services
[18 March 2024, Singapore.] The Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA) of Singapore is transferring its childcare services operations of YWCA Preschool to New Life Community Services Ltd (NLCS) after strategic review of their future direction.
Founded in 1875, YWCA is the oldest women’s charity in Singapore. To meet the childminding needs of women in the 1960s, YWCA set-up affordable childcare services in Singapore. This support encouraged and enabled young women to work and contribute to the economic growth of Singapore. The pioneering move to set-up the YWCA Child Development Centres provided much needed welfare for low- to middle-income families. Over the years, the Child Development Centres grew to become the YWCA Preschool of today, availing quality preschool education to children of all backgrounds, races, and religions.
The early childhood industry has evolved significantly since those early days. Today, the sector is well-served by many operators. YWCA is therefore transferring its preschool operations to another operator which shares the same values and ethos of serving the community. This will allow a pooling of resources and greater economies of scale to be reaped through the expanded operations.
NLCS shares YWCA’s commitment to serving families and children and will continue to uphold the high standards of care and support that YWCA families have come to expect. NLCS currently operates three SPARK-accredited Preschools Centres in Singapore – Bukit Panjang (2001), Woodlands (2015) and Junction 10 (2017).
Established by Covenant Evangelical Free Church in 2000, NLCS is a not-for-profit social service agency that seeks to bring hope and purpose to children, youths and seniors so that they go on to create positive impact in their community and society. Over the years, NLCS has reached out to thousands of individuals from different religions and races.
With effect from 1 April 2024, the preschool operations of Y.W.C.A. Preschool Ltd (YPL) will be transferred to New Life Preschool Services Ltd (NLPS), a subsidiary of New Life Community Services (NLCS). All the nine existing centres of YWCA Preschool will continue to operate under the Partner Operator Scheme (POP) administered by the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA).
Plans are underway to rebrand the nine YWCA Preschool Centres and to merge all the existing centres under New Life Preschool Services (NLPS).
The NLPS head office team comprises experienced practitioners in curriculum and quality management, business development partnerships, child and family support, and centre operations. With the transfer, close to 90% of YPL’s staff will be crossing over to join the NLPS team to ensure the continuity of the centre operations.
NLPS commits to ensuring that every child receives quality care and education tailored to their unique needs and interests. Under the New Life Preschool Curriculum, parents can expect a customised and robust inquiry-based learning approach that helps their children acquire knowledge and develop skills in an engaging and meaningful setting. Renovation plans are put in place to spruce up each centre progressively to make the learning environment more conducive, including installing CCTVs in every centre in compliance with the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) regulatory requirements.
“YWCA Singapore is proud to have played an instrumental role as a pioneer in the early childhood industry in Singapore, offering full-day childcare services to relieve women from their childcare burdens and to allow them to return to the workforce,” said Ms. Sim Hwee Hoon, President of YWCA of Singapore, “We are thus heartened to find a great partner in New Life Community Services, who will be carrying on our proud heritage of serving YWCA Preschool children and families with love.”
YWCA commits to meeting the needs of serving the women community in Singapore and will continue to focus on its core mission of empowering mums, women and young women with programmes that deliver positive impact.
“YWCA has served the preschool sector for the past 60 years, and we want to honour its heritage and continue its good works,” said Ms. Ivy Chin, Executive Director at New Life Preschool Services. “As we carry the baton from YWCA, we hold the same values of serving the community, regardless of race or religion, and we affirm the belief that every child should have access to quality education in a safe, caring and healthy environment.”
As part of their joint commitment to ensure continued open communication with our stakeholders, YWCA and NLCS invite parents and stakeholders to visit the NLCS website at https://newlifechildcare.org.sg/ for further information and updates.
About YWCA of Singapore
Founded in 1875, the Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA) of Singapore is a social service agency committed to serving those in need, regardless of race or religion. Our holistic programmes and services aim to empower and support women from low-income families by alleviating financial burdens and care-giving responsibilities. We strive to uplift the family unit, and to provide the right resources and opportunities to improve lives.
YWCA’s community service programmes are supported by YWCA Fort Canning, our revenue-generating arm in hospitality. All net proceeds contribute towards our social initiatives such as Empowering Mums, Meals-on-Wheels, and Sustenance for Families.
For more information, please visit www.ywca.org.sg.
About New Life Community Services
Founded in 2000, NLCS is the faith-based non-profit social service arm of Covenant Evangelical Free Church dedicated to its mission of nurturing children, developing youths’ potential, and empowering seniors to live purposeful lives. New Life’s services include early childhood education through childcare and student care services, as well as literacy and character
For more information, please visit http://www.newlife.org.sg/
For media inquiries or further information, please contact:
Gerlynn Cai
Senior Manager, Marketing & Communications
YWCA of Singapore
9792 9310
Ms Joserine Lim
Assistant Director, Communications and Partnerships
New Life Community Services
9824 5817
Empowering Mums 7 (EM7) is opened for Registration!
Given the success in re-commencing the Empowering Mums last year, we are pleased to share that the annual EM programme is back for its seventh run.
With the continued support of our sponsors and longstanding content partners, the EM7 programme will feature ten weekly sessions from 24 November 2022 to 3 February 2024.
Mothers will embark on a transformative journey through workshops and activities meticulously curated for them to provide them with tools, knowledge, and support needed for them to thrive at work and various domains in their lives.
The programme schedule is as follows:
EM7 2023 – 2024 Programme Schedule
|
Date & Time |
Programme |
Content Partner |
|
24 Nov 2023 (Fri) 6 pm to 9.30 pm |
EM7 Launch: “Embark on your Journey” session, Project Briefing & EM6 EM7 Launch: Graduates Sharing (Family Invited) |
PlayLab, YWCA, EM6 Graduates |
|
2 Dec 2023 (Sat) 9 am to 1 pm |
Group Session 1 EQ and Mindfulness workshop |
YWCA, Ennove Consultancy |
|
9 Dec 2023 (Sat) 9 am to 1 pm |
Group Session 2 Stress Management workshop |
YWCA, Two Point Zero |
|
16 Dec 2023 (Sat) 9 am to 1 pm |
Group Session 3 Stay on T.O.P – Time Management, Organization and Prioritization workshop |
YWCA, Barbara Crane |
|
22 Dec 2023 (Fri) 6 pm to 10 pm |
Group Session 4 Financial Literacy workshop |
YWCA, Manulife |
|
6 Jan 2024 (Sat) 9 am to 1 pm |
Group Session 5 Reality of a Job Hunt workshop |
YWCA, reQuest Asia Pte Ltd |
|
13 Jan 2024 (Sat) 9 am to 1 pm |
Group Session 6 Resume Writing workshop |
YWCA, e2i |
|
20 Jan 2024 (Sat) 9 am to 1 pm |
Group Session 7 Dress for Success workshop |
YWCA, Image Mission |
|
27 Jan 2024 (Sat) 9 am to 1 pm |
Group Session 7 Interview skills coaching workshop |
YWCA, e2i |
|
3 Feb 2024 (Sat) 9 am to 3 pm |
EM7 Graduation and Makeover Ceremony (Family Invited) |
YWCA, Content, Makeover and Community Partners |
*Weekly workshops and support group sessions might be subjected to changes.
Venues: YWCA Fort Canning, 6 Fort Canning Road S179494 & YWCA National Office, 254 Outram Road, S169051
Registration
For registration, please click here to check the eligibility criteria, referral process and download the application form.
Special Thanks
The Empowering Mums programme is made possible thanks to the gracious and generous contributions of our sponsors who share our goal of empowering women. We are also deeply grateful to our new and returning content providers for supporting us in our journey to help mothers from marginalised backgrounds better their lives and reach their fullest potential.
Project Sponsors:
Content Partners:
Meet Ms. Sim Hwee Hoon, the newly elected President of YWCA of Singapore for the new term of office for 2023/2024. With an extensive career in banking and finance, Hwee Hoon brings a wealth of corporate experience, having previously held C-suite positions at various private banks. She currently sits on the Boards of the Singapore Labour Foundation, NTUC Income and is Independent Director for Stashaway, and a Senior Advisor at Singapore Consultancy Pte Ltd.
Hwee Hoon’s dedication to community work is a testament to her commitment to serving in YWCA. Since joining YWCA in 2016, she has been serving on various YWCA Committees and on the Board. Hwee Hoon often rolls up her sleeves to serve on the ground as a coach and mentor to our Empowering Mums, volunteers her time at our English Club and has also been seen serving our guests at our YWCA Fort Canning social enterprise. Hwee Hoon truly embodies the YWCA motto of “by love, serve one another” and has been empowering and uplifting the lives of others.
Q: Congratulations on your election as the President of the YWCA of Singapore. How do you feel being elected as the President?
A: I’m excited and humbled at the opportunity to serve the YWCA in the capacity of President. At the same time, there is also some apprehension, given the increase in responsibility and expectations. But I know I have our Lord to teach me to do His will, and let His good Spirit lead me on level ground. (Psalm 143:10)
Q: Now that you are the President, what are your hopes and plans for the YWCA?
A: YWCA Singapore has a long and illustrious history of serving the community in Singapore. My hope is for YWCA to continue to stay relevant and be future-oriented, but still remain steadfast to our mission and vision. As a charity, it is not just about doing good, but we must do well and be effective. We need to constantly scan the horizon for both challenges and opportunities and build capabilities to meet the needs of the future so that the work we do impacts not only the lives of our beneficiaries but creates a ripple effect that positively influences the lives of the community as a whole.
As we serve the community, my hope is also that YWCA will be an organisation that supports the growth and development of not only the staff but also the volunteers who commit their time to us.
Q: How did you end up at the YWCA, and what made you stay for the last 7+ years?
A: (My husband and I) came back to Singapore after spending almost 20 years in Hong Kong. I wanted to reconnect and serve the community here, so I reached out to Centre for Non-profit Leadership (CNPL) for matching to suitable non-profit organisations. Once they heard that I was in the private banking industry, they were keen to match me with organisations that needed expertise in finance or fundraising, which I wasn’t keen on! In the end, they passed me a list of organisations to review myself. YWCA caught my attention because it is about women of the Christian faith coming together to serve, and I’m passionate about women’s causes.
I’m grateful that Mavis (the President then) and Yee Ping (Executive Director) gave me the space to explore where I would like to volunteer in. They knew I didn’t want to focus on finance and allowed me to contribute to the YWCA Fort Canning and Community Services committees, even though I had no subject matter expertise in those areas! I also enjoyed the volunteering opportunities on the ground (e.g. Empowering Mums, English Club, coaching for staff). These sessions gave me the opportunity to interact with the beneficiaries and staff, to listen and understand the challenges on the ground, so that I can better help shape the strategic direction at the committee and board level.
That’s a key reason why I’ve stayed on with YWCA. At the YWCA, I was given the space to learn and grow, and it has been a meaningful journey for me. I also greatly treasure the camaraderie among the board and committee members, most of whom are women of Christian faith, committed to serving together. Over the years, I’ve seen so many incidents of unwarranted grace from God at the YWCA. He has provided and guided us time and time again through challenges.
Q: Can you share with us some of the causes you are most passionate about?
A: I mentioned earlier that I’m passionate about empowering women. If we can help women lift themselves to live safe, fulfilled and productive lives, they can in turn improve the lives of their children and family. I believe that those who are in a position to make a difference should step up to do so. Be the voice for those who don’t have, and support those who fall through the cracks.
Ms Sim (left), together with our English Club graduate
Q: How do you hope to make a difference in the YWCA community?
A: This is not about me making a difference individually as a YWCA President. I trust that God will grant me wisdom and discernment to bring together everyone (board/committee members, staff and volunteers), to be aligned in our values to work towards a shared purpose for the YWCA. As God’s steward, it is our responsibility to ensure accountability and transparency at all levels. We need to communicate clearly the steps needed to execute our vision and mission effectively and measure our impact on the community. I hope that as a Board, we will all lead by example and embody values in our actions and decisions to create a positive environment that promotes trust, respect, collaboration, and innovation.
Q: Tell us a little about yourself and your family? What are your hobbies or favourite past-time?
A: My family is just me and hubby, and I treasure spending family time with my parents, nieces and nephew. I love to seek refuge and “forest bath” in our nature parks. During Covid, I have hiked the perimeters of the Singapore island twice over. My passion also includes photography, and admiring God’s incredible handiwork in nature when travelling overseas.
Ms Sim basking in nature’s glory while on her holiday
Q: What is your favourite food at the YWCA Café Lodge that you will recommend for our readers to try?
A: The laksa is an all-time favourite for my family. My comfort food is fish noodle soup and I always go for their oriental breakfast set when I have a breakfast meeting. I miss their curry fish head and hope they will bring it back in the near future.
Q: Finally, what message do you have for the young women who are reading this article?
A: Be open to new experiences and have the courage to pursue your passions. Identify what truly excites and motivates you. When you find joy in what you do, it becomes easier to overcome challenges and see them as opportunities.
Lift and empower other women around you. Support them, celebrate their milestones and be a champion for their success. We all can be in a position to make an impact, no matter how small. The more we support one another, the larger the ripple effect.
Thank you, Ms Sim, for your inspiring words!