YWCA of Singapore | By Love, Serve One Another

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.

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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.

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Every Mother’s Day, we recognise women’s incredible strength and resilience. This year, we highlight the story of two mothers who share extraordinary zeal for their children.

Mothers are benevolent. They will do what they must to secure a better life for their kids, even enduring hardship, abuse and uncertainty.

English Club students – Anna & Kim

Anna says, “As mothers, we’re not afraid of most things, but we worry about things that will affect our family and children.”

Anna is a YWCA Empowering Mums programme graduate and is currently enrolled in YWCA’s English Club; a free English course based on the International English Language Testing (IELTS) standards. Her classmate, Kim, is also a student in our English Club.

The Vietnamese-born mothers learn the basics of English and practice speaking on Thursdays with volunteers. English Club is a 10-week course uniquely catered to mothers to equip them with English language skills to improve their integration into the local community and access to employment opportunities. It is also where mothers can find a community to belong to and a support network among friends with similar backgrounds.

Contents

• Courage To Press On
• Resilience To Define Their Lives
• Hoping For Brighter Future
• Celebrate Mothers
• Bringing A Community Together

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Courage To Press On

It is no easy choice for women to leave a familiar life and marry someone in a foreign land. Worse yet, for a marriage that may become sour, leaving women to fend for themselves.

But for Anna and Kim, their situation is far from foreign – they suffer due to familial violence or marital neglect. Anna eventually moved on from her marriage to escape the violence and shifted to a transitional shelter with her kids, which they shared with strangers.

The mothers’ courage to press on is commendable. Even more so when they courageously do what is best for their little ones, often forgoing their own needs and insecurities. “I have no more tears to cry. I just want what’s best for my kids,” says Anna.

Anna after an English Club class

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Resilience To Define Their Lives

While these mothers may not be able to control their environments, they have the resilience to bounce back from adverse circumstances and work towards a better life.

Kim and an English Club volunteer

Right now, Anna and Kim’s priority is to improve their command of the English language. However, they must juggle several things, including caring for their household single-handedly, managing work that can often have infrequent or meagre incomes, and taking care of their mental well-being. Juggling these things is a delicate balance for them, where a single inconvenience can disrupt their study of English.

These are everyday stresses among women facing transition.

Their children are also nearing a foundational stage of their lives at age 7 – widely regarded for how children will communicate and interact with the world by processing how they’re being responded to.

Therefore, knowing how to communicate in Singapore’s most common language of business—English—is of utmost importance to the mothers and their children.

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Hoping For Brighter Future

Despite the odds Anna and Kim face, they’re determined to press on. Anna believes it will help her improve her job prospects.

Anna & Kim practicing English with a volunteer

Her tenacity to learn shines through her eagerness for the next level of English Club. This path of improvement could open more doorways for her to become better at her job and thus a better life for her kids. Anna also dreams of learning more about different coffee types worldwide and eventually starting her own shop one day.

Kim hopes to use her newfound language skills to better communicate with her family and enable her kids to excel in their young lives.

What a love that mothers have for their children!

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Celebrate Mothers

This Mother’s Day, we celebrate mothers in the community who dare change the status quo, mothers who define their lives by their resilience, and mothers who hope for a brighter future for their children and themselves.

We at YWCA note your courage, resilience and hope.

Thank you, mothers, for being the pillar of love in your family and children’s lives. You are not forgotten!

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Bringing A Community Together

At YWCA, we serve women, children, and the elderly through community services so that they can lead empowered lives.

However, it is no small task to bring about change, but every small step makes this a reality.

Only through community and the coming together of many hands have we been able to do what we have done for close to 150 years.

While we already see a community of like-minded women joining hands as volunteers, staff, partners, and beneficiaries for the common cause of empowering women, you can still play a part.

Join us as a volunteer, donor or collaborator today!

Every International Women’s Day, YWCA celebrates women from diverse backgrounds and upholds their achievements and progress so that we can continue to inspire and encourage more positive advancement for all women in Singapore. This year, we invited our newly appointed Executive Director, Ong Puay See, who took the helm to lead YWCA in October 2023, to share her thoughts on this year’s International Women’s Day.

Puay See joined YWCA in 2022 as Deputy Executive Director.  She has close to 30 years of experience in the financial industry and in government and not-for-profit institutions. She was the CEO of The Institute of Banking & Finance and previously Director with Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS).  She was awarded the Public Administration Medal (Bronze) in 2014, for her contributions to the Singapore public service. She is an active volunteer with the Methodist Church in Singapore (MCS) and currently sits on the Board of Communications of the Chinese Annual Conference.  She graduated with a degree in Bachelor of Accountancy (Honours) with Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. A mother of a teenage daughter, Puay See is a cancer survivor, having battled breast cancer in 2016, and regularly volunteers her time to journey with breast cancer warriors.  She serves on Christian Women Fellowship groups, and is also a Special Needs Sunday School Teacher at the Telok Ayer Chinese Methodist Church where she worships.

 

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I visited Stanford University in 2015 and enjoyed a wonderful art exhibition on wartime posters. I was particularly captivated by this poster from the YWCA. The powerful taglines, “For Every Fighter, a Woman Worker” struck me on the impact of the YWCA in building a nation. The Young Women’s Christian Associations (YWCA) all over the world have always been instrumental in rallying women to stand up and be counted, to serve and contribute, especially in times of need. During wartime, when men were called to serve in the military, women had to step forward to take over roles vacated by men at the factories and offices. When YWCA was first birthed in England in 1855, Emma Roberts and Lady Kinnaird were concerned about young girls leaving their families to work in the cities and nurses working in hospitals without a safe space to stay, and the YWCA was established to be a community of women supporting these young girls.

It was the same ideology that led to the birth of YWCA Singapore in 1875. Whether in educating women with skills to keep them relevant for the needs of the different times, providing hostel services to keep young women safe, or childcare facilities so housewives could return to the workforce, YWCA Singapore has always been a catalyst in ensuring that women were given opportunities and moving ahead. 

This International Women’s Day calls to mind our heritage as a women’s charity, championing for women the last 149 years. This year’s International Women’s Day celebrates the theme “Inspire Inclusion”, where we celebrate the empowerment of women from different social, economic, cultural backgrounds. It is a call for us to break down barriers, challenge stereotypes, and create environments where all women are valued and respected. #InspireInclusion encourages all to recognize the unique perspectives and contributions of women from all walks of life, including those from marginalized communities.

I am so proud to be part of this strong women heritage in YWCA.  And even prouder that the YWCA of Singapore today reflects #InspireInclusion in our DNA.  We have Empowering Mums and Empowering Young Women programmes to allow women from marginalized backgrounds an opportunity to get a leg up in life.  Over the years, we have built up a strong community of women volunteers and supporters who come onboard as Board or Committee Ladies to develop programmes to help the community. Some work as ground volunteers to distribute food, develop training or teach English.  Many of our ladies roll up their sleeves to fundraise through their passions: cooking yummy foods or selling beautiful crafts. Our annual YWCA fundraising carnivals are such happy events!  Many of these ladies are remarkable in their daily roles as daughters, sisters, mothers, employees or leaders and they embody our YWCA spirit of “By Love, Serve One Another”.

This International Women’s Day, I would like to give a big shout-out to the beautiful women who form part of our loving YWCA community. You ladies inspire me everyday! Continue to #InspireInclusion.

By Love, Serve One Another

God bless you all!

 

Ong Puay See

“My siblings and I enjoyed ourselves at the party! The activities were fun, and we got to interact with other people…” – Darren, Meals-On-Wheels Young Beneficiary

YWCA Fort Canning’s Peace Room was no ordinary space last December as it was decorated with balloons in the form of spaceships, planets and a galaxy of stars, all set for the Year End Party. The event brought together both young and old beneficiaries from our community service programmes as they gathered for a day of fun in an astronomical wonderland. The room buzzed with excitement as the guests snapped some photos with the astronaut mascot and eagerly waited for the event to begin.

Happy kids posing with the astronaut mascot

Contents

• A Sense of Community
• Recognising Achievements and Milestones
• Making a Difference

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A Sense of Community

The event brought together a diverse group – children and elderly beneficiaries from our various community service programmes. Activities ranged from brain teasers to crafting delicious miniature cakes in a workshop conducted by Butter Studio. There was something for everyone and it was an opportunity for both the young and old beneficiaries to connect and share memories.

Children participating in a Freeze game

A volunteer from Ralph Lauren teaching the children how to pipe their cakes

A Happy Child Posing with His Finished Cake!

Learning how to pipe their cakes at the Butter Studio workshop

Our Ralph Lauren volunteers exemplified community spirit, as they actively served lunch to our guests, engaged them in the activities and created a culture where helping each other out became the norm. “My siblings and I enjoyed ourselves at the party! The activities were fun, and we got to interact with other people,” shared Darren, a young beneficiary.

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Recognising Achievements and Milestones

The event was a blast, filled with laughter and games, but the showstopper was the heartwarming moment when the children were celebrated for their accomplishments throughout the year. They were given awards presented by our board member, Ms Lynette Piong, and our committee member, Mrs Jennifer Ng.

Ms Lynette Piong, our Board Member, presenting a bursary award. 

Mrs Jennifer Ng, our Committee Member, presenting an award. 

The awards were not the focal point – at least. It was recognising the children’s unique qualities and capabilities and empowering them to reach their full potential. That was the highlight of the event.

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Making a Difference

The most precious gift of the day was the radiant smiles on the faces that our volunteers put on the faces of our beneficiaries. Every child left the party with a schoolbag and some presents sponsored by Ralph Lauren. “Hooray! A new school bag for Primary 1 in 2024!”, exclaimed Andrew (not his real name). The joy on the faces of the children was truly heartwarming and it was clear that they had a wonderful time.

Happy children with their new gifts!

Our Meals on Wheels Elderly Members Posing with an Astronaut Mascot

The event was a great success thanks to the efforts of our volunteers and community service programme staff who worked tirelessly to make it happen.

Ms Anne Chew, our Community Service Programmes Senior Manager, giving a token of appreciation to a Ralph Lauren representative.

A big Thank You to Ralph Lauren, Butter Studio and all our other volunteers who contributed to the success of this event. Your efforts are truly appreciated.

You can make a difference too! Contact us now to learn about volunteering opportunities and be part of our #ServingHope movement.

Her hands slightly trembling but her face resolute, Fathima, a mother of two, sat down for our interview as she will graduate from the 10-week-long YWCA Empowering Mums programme with 6 other mums today.

It is a big day for these mums as they have undergone several workshops designed to empower them and prepare them for the next step in their back-to-work journey.

We first met Fathima in August 2023 when we were delivering dry rations for our Sustenance for Families programme. Shy and speaking only in short sentences back then, Fathima now radiates confidence, a testament to the progress she’d tirelessly worked for.

You’ll be surprised at the difference in demeanour and candour. We’re proud of her confidence in communicating her thoughts and feelings. It is truly impressive!

Contents

• From ‘No, I cannot’ to ‘Yes, I can!’
• A Community of Women Empowering Women
• Empowering Mums Graduation
• EM7 Employer’s Meet-and-Greet
• About Empowering Mums programme
• The Impact of Empowering Mums programme
• Special Thanks
• Support Us

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From ‘No, I cannot’ to ‘Yes, I can!’

As we continued our conversation, she excitedly tells us how she can ‘handle all things just by sitting down to think’ and that she now ‘knows where to find help’. Her enthusiasm is infectious! (We can’t help but break into a smile as we recall our conversation.)
 

“Come to learn. Learn about yourself and learn how to solve problems! You will become confident.”
 
– Fathima

 
What stood out were the lessons learnt and exemplified in Fathima’s life – She doesn’t let stresses or worries upset her. Instead, she works through situations in a calm and collected manner. She even told us that her daughter loves the positive change she sees. Fathima expresses that ‘every problem has a solution’. What a powerful mindset!

Fathima with her daughter

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A Community of Women Empowering Women

The Empowering Mums programme brought together a group of initially unfamiliar faces, including Fathima, and Rasidah. The trainers and partners, some mothers themselves, nurtured this group into a supportive community. The lessons learned in the workshops went beyond hard skills; they included building bonds, overcoming negativity, and fostering personal growth.
 

“Push yourself to attend the workshops. Though you may feel overwhelmed by situations – whether your kids falling sick or having to attend school events, or even waking up early to attend the course. Do your best to make it because it is worth it!”
 
– Nadia

 
Nadia*, who discovered YWCA through HCSA Spin, found a community where like-minded individuals supported and related to each other. The safe space allowed them to share problems openly in a safe space. Nadia, once introverted, now beams with self-confidence. She’s learnt to speak up without fear, dress better, and face interviews with newfound assurance.

For Rasidah, this was a journey of stress management and positive change. The community helped process thoughts, and shared experiences became a source of encouragement.

Beyond the programme, Nadia and Rasidah are planning to embark on a weight loss journey together, emphasizing accountability, friendship, and mutual motivation. Their post-graduation plans include maintaining their support network together!

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Empowering Mums Graduation

Our mums about to enter the graduation hall!

10 weeks of introspection, learning and forging bonds have passed, leading our Empowering Mums course participants to this very moment of graduation. They have gained skills in Emotional Intelligence, Mindfulness and Financial Literacy. And best of all? They’re ready to take on more of Life’s challenges.

A sense of excitement and anticipation filled the air as these remarkable women, radiating confidence and dressed in their finest, readied themselves to step onto the stage.

Entering Peace Room with heads held high, our graduates took the stage, recounting their personal stories of struggle, resilience, and ultimate triumph.

Their speeches reverberated with passion and inspiration, holding the audience in attention.
 

“You will become confident. Believe that you can change your life!”
 
– Rasidah

 
As the last words echoed, a thunderous applause erupted, evolving into a heartfelt standing ovation—a collective acknowledgment of the courage and resilience displayed by these women. Surveying the applauding crowd, our graduates felt an overwhelming surge of pride and accomplishment washing over them.

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EM7 Employer’s Meet-and-Greet

The YWCA EM7 Employer’s Meet-and-Greet session was organised to help candidates find suitable employment opportunities. Established organisations like NTUC, Bata, Accor and Alexandra Hospital were among some of our partners offering flexible work arrangements, incentives, and on-the-job training to support these mums.

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About Empowering Mums programme

The Empowering Mums project equips back-to-work mums from low-income families with life and work skills to improve their employability from a holistic view.

The project runs free support group work and employability skills workshops over 10 weeks, culminating with a professional makeover, graduation ceremony and meet-and-greet session with potential employers.

After graduation, six monthly post-project sessions are held to further support mothers on their journey of self-driven change.

Throughout the sessions, meals, transport and childminding (for children above 2 years old) are provided to participating mothers so they can attend with a peace of mind.

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The Impact of Empowering Mums programme

Giving marginalised women the tools and resources they require to advance will encourage a generation of strong, tenacious women who can guide and motivate their families and communities. It also illustrates the role the YWCA can play in empowering and supporting women in our local community.

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Special Thanks

The Empowering Mum 7 programme would not have been made possible without the support from our sponsors, content and community partners. Thank you for your faithful support!

Our community partners