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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“We are encouraged by the outcome of the overall sales and the support we have received from the community. It gives us hope as we know that our skills and hard work are appreciated, and we can continue to brainstorm more ideas to create more beautiful products that people love…” – Lily, Weaving Facilitator
Behind the innovative designs of our woven products that were well-received at our pop-up booths lies a team of committed weavers who worked hard to create new and functional products that appeal to people from every corner of life. Across four locations- JPMorgan Corporate Office, Tiong Bahru Community Centre, International Baptist Church and The Art Faculty @ SG Enabling Village- where our booths were situated, the response was heartening as several of our products found new homes and our weaving workshops garnered numerous sign-ups.
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The Inspiration Behind Our Products
In the heart of our mission to empower our community lies the YWCA Weaving Programme – a social enterprise that empowers women from the marginalised community, equipping them with skills to not only create woven products for sale but also facilitate workshops with confidence. Through this programme, our Weaving Mums earn a flexible income that allows them to balance their caregiving duties while supplementing their household earnings.
A range of woven bags on sale at the JPMorgan pop-up
Our pop-up booths were stocked with one-of-a-kind products, created with love by our talented Weaving Mums and volunteers. It was a hub for people who were looking for unique items that could not be found elsewhere. From handcrafted accessories made by our board member, Ms Tan Kee Leng, to table runners, sling bags and scarves made by our Weaving Mums – each product exuded its own unique character.
“We are encouraged by the outcome of the overall sales and the support we have received from the community. It gives us hope as we know that our skills and hard work are appreciated, and we can continue to brainstorm more ideas to create more beautiful products that people love…” said Lily, a Weaving Mum.
More Than Just Giving Back
In addition to providing an avenue for our Weaving Mums to showcase their talents and earn a living, the YWCA Weaving Programme has also become a platform for raising awareness about the challenges faced by women in our community.
Extending beyond contributing to the well-being of the marginalised, Saori weaving is a therapeutic art form that provides a sanctuary for mindfulness and self-expression. It serves as a retreat from the everyday stresses, and it is an accessible art form of self-care for anyone. There is no hard or fast rule to Saori weaving, and it fosters a sense of joy and ease of skill development, which proves especially beneficial for those grappling with mental health issues and individuals with special needs.
Ms Indranee Rajah exploring the craft at our pop-up booth at Tiong Bahru Community Centre Christmas Festival
Our weaving team at the Tiong Bahru Community Centre Bazaar pop-up booth is all smiles!
Weaving is embraced by both the young and old, offering a creative outlet that knows no limits. Partaking in the weaving programme is not only a way to empower the marginalised community, but it is also a means of practicing self-care.
Expanding Our Reach
We are grateful to JPMorgan, SG Enable, Tiong Bahru Community Centre, and International Baptist Church, for their support in making our pop-up booths a success. We appreciate the opportunity to collaborate with them and showcase our unique products at their events.
Our Community Service Programme Senior Manager, Ms Anne Chew receiving a certificate of appreciation from Tiong Bahru MP, Ms Indranee Rajah
In the coming months, we are looking to collaborate with more organisations so that we can continue to inspire more women to pursue their dreams and never give up on themselves, no matter how difficult the road ahead may seem.
Support Us
If you missed our pop-up booths last December, don’t worry! Our handcrafted products and stylish apparel are still available for purchase on our e-shop.
Follow the link to browse our wide range of products and make a difference with every purchase!
From zero to hero. That is how Azura, 35, a mother of two, describes her journey with YWCA’s Weaving Programme. Like many others in the programme, she started from humble beginnings, with zero knowledge of the craft and unsure of what to expect. It was something she had never imagined herself doing till circumstances led her to an opportunity to try it out. Now an expert in the craft, and with hard work and dedication, she has recently been appointed Studio Supervisor at YWCA.
A few years ago, bogged down by health issues and family commitments, Azura found herself having difficulties holding her full-time job as an administrative executive. Her Thalassemia condition causes her to be anaemic, often feeling faint at work and requiring regular blood transfusions at the hospital. In addition, her older son, now 10, not only suffers from the same genetic blood disease, but he also has Global Developmental Delay (GDD) and requires regular therapy at KK Hospital.
Without flexible work arrangements to attend to family needs and faced with a pressing need to care for her health, Azura had little choice but to leave her full-time employment. As her husband became the sole breadwinner, the hefty bills from medical treatments and therapy sessions quickly chipped away at their savings and became too much to bear. Without a means to an end, the family of four had to rely on social support to get by.
Determined to better her situation, Azura sought help from her social worker at THK Macpherson Family Service Centre (THK FSC) in February 2021 in search of flexible employment opportunities that could accommodate her constraints.
Still fresh from her memory, she recounts the time when she was with her son at Popular bookstore, and he asked if he could have the Spiderman pencil case. It cost $9.90 and was too much for her to afford. Not wanting to disappoint her son, Azura made a promise to him that she would buy it for him when she receives her first paycheck. It was on that very day she received a call from her social worker, who shared with her about the YWCA Weaving Programme. Azura describes the moment as a divine appointment, and she knew she had to seize that opportunity.
For Azura, weaving quickly became an accidental love affair. It was enjoyable and therapeutic, and she loved experimenting with a variety of colours and textures to create beautiful designs and products. Her enthusiasm for the craft stood out above all else, and her tenacity paid off as she quickly rose to the rank of Studio Supervisor.
“If you don’t try, you’ll never know. Don’t give up and just keep trying.”- Azura
As a studio supervisor with the YWCA Weaving Programme, her role requires her to prepare and facilitate workshops, train new beneficiary mums in the craft, and take inventories. These days, she even ventures into product development, creating new and unique products with her woven designs.
Aside from scarves and table runners, she has made coasters, bags, floor mats, and even a dress. Her goal? A curtain, she ambitiously declares.
A variety of products made by Azura
Undeterred by her circumstances, every workshop facilitated by Azura is filled with joy and positivity – it is almost impossible to tell the kind of hardships she has gone through. On days when some participants face difficulties and feel like throwing in the towel, she showers them with words of encouragement and patiently coaches them through the process.
She even goes the extra mile too. When a participant in a wheelchair has difficulties reaching the bobbin, she thoughtfully steps in to assist and attentively watches on.
Her efforts have certainly not gone unnoticed. Zalina, a new participant, says, “I really enjoyed today’s session. Azura was very patient and engaging. She made the lesson easy to pick up. I would like to continue these weaving sessions and learn from scratch.”
When asked how she copes with challenges at work, Azura shares that her children and her happy students are her primary sources of motivation.
“Even though there may be hiccups along the way, the positive feedback from participants makes me want to contribute more to the organisation,” she said. “When my participants enjoy the workshops, they spread the good word to the people around them.”
- Guiding a participant from our Kid’s Weekday Care programme
Azura’s life has turned around since coming on board the YWCA Weaving Programme. The role provides her with a decent income and gives her the flexibility she needs. “I am now on the Home Ownership Scheme,” she beams with excitement.
Indeed, she has come a long way. From living in a 2-room rental flat to collecting the keys to her new Built-To-Order HDB flat, Azura can now afford the simple things in life that she never could in the past. Being part of the YWCA Weaving Programme has made that possible and is an opportunity that she cherishes to this very day.
Her personal mantra? “If you don’t try, you’ll never know. Don’t give up and just keep trying.”
The YWCA Weaving Programme
Like Azura, our beneficiary mothers in the weaving programme often find difficulties in committing to a full-time role because of their circumstances.
An extension of the YWCA Empowering Mums programme, the YWCA Weaving Programme aims to fill this gap by supporting mothers from disadvantaged backgrounds with a source of flexible income that could meet their needs.
In this programme, women are first trained in the unique art of freeform weaving, which they will impart to others as they conduct workshops. The training is fully sponsored by our partner, UPS, and the mums receive a salary for each training session and workshop they attend.
The workshops are open to the public, to individuals and corporations alike, and all the proceeds go back into the programme directly.
If you would like to support the programme and learn more about this unique craft, click here to join our weaving workshops. Alternatively, email ywcaent@ywca.org.sg for enquiries and corporate partnerships or call 6223 1227.
YWCA of Singapore has just incepted a new Social Enterprise: YWCA Weaving programme!
Through the learning of the craft of weaving using Saori looms, our beneficiary mothers would earn an alternative income through the facilitation of workshops and the sale of woven products after their training.
The philosophy of Saori Weaving resonates deeply with YWCA, as it celebrates the true freedom of expression by allowing the release of individuality. The human quality of SAORI allows mistakes as every weave has its own character, and everyone can express their creativity freely through this craft, regardless of age, gender, disability or intellectual aptitude.
The programme is currently training our beneficiary mums in the craft of weaving using Saori looms.
YWCA Board Members also attended the first official workshop of the programme. Using Saori looms, each participant learnt the craft of weaving with colourful yarn. It was a therapeutic experience for all, as everyone unleashed their creativity and completed a scarf by the end of the session.
Classes are now open to the public! Register your interest here or contact ywcaent@ywca.org.sg or call 6223 1227 for more details.