What We Do

From Challenging Pathways to Inspirational Stories: YMCA Vocational and Soft Skills Programme

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Last Updated (Tuesday, 30 November 1999 08:00)

Aligned with the YMCA Vision 2030's pillar of meaningful work, the YMCA Vocational and Soft Skills Programme (VaSSP) serves as a pivotal conduit for youth empowerment. VaSSP engages out-of-school youth and youth-at-risk, fostering their social development and facilitating pathways to gainful employment and independent living. Youth participants get to choose a vocational track to specialise in, such as early childhood education and digital marketing. They are also equipped with essential skills for job readiness, encompassing effective communication, conflict management and resume writing.

Since its inception, YMCA VaSSP has transformed the lives of over 890 young individuals, offering them a tangible pathway towards a brighter future. Approximately 75% of programme graduates have successfully transitioned into further education or employment within 5 years, underscoring the profound impact of this programme in realising the vision of meaningful work outlined by the YMCA Vision 2030 framework.

Joachim is a distinguished alumnus of the YMCA VaSSP. Uninterested in academic pursuits, he made an early exit from school at the age of 14, finding his way to the world of culinary arts through the YMCA VaSSP. Determined to refine his craft upon his graduation from YMCA VaSSP, Joachim ventured into the culinary scene by joining a restaurant, where he not only honed his skills as a chef but also delved into the intricate world of fine dining. This hands-on experience fuelled his passion for the culinary arts, leading him to pursue a Diploma in Culinary Arts at SHATEC.

Joachim's professional odyssey took a significant turn when he became part of the culinary team at a restaurant in Swissotel. However, his culinary pursuits briefly paused when he enlisted in National Service, a compulsory military training programme for men in Singapore. Undeterred by the interruption, Joachim resumed his culinary journey with renewed zeal after completing his National Service commitment. Returning to the prestigious Swissotel establishment, he seamlessly picked up where he left off, bringing a wealth of experience and dedication to the culinary world.

Eager to broaden his culinary horizons, Joachim sought opportunities in Michelin-starred restaurants, where he gained valuable insights and refined his expertise. With his knowledge of French, Japanese and Italian cuisine, he skilfully integrates these influences into his culinary creations, adding a distinctive touch to his repertoire.

Presently, Joachim is carving his niche in the culinary landscape by establishing himself as a private/personal chef. Eschewing the conventional path, he brings his culinary mastery directly to clients, curating bespoke dining experiences that reflect his commitment to quality and individual taste preferences. Joachim’s culinary journey is a testament to the power of passion and resilience. With a keen appreciation for French and Italian cuisines, he artfully crafts each dish, showcasing a distinctive palate that sets him apart in the world of culinary arts.

From left to right: Simon, Ambassador for YMCA x NBCB Gastronomic Fiesta, Joachim, guest chef for YMCA x NBCB Gastronomic Fiesta and Tommy, owner of NBCB

In March 2024, YMCA of Singapore launched an awareness and micro-fundraising campaign titled Inclusivity Through the HeART of Food: YMCA x NBCB Gastronomic Fiesta, in support of youth-at-risk, youth with special needs and underprivileged children from YMCA Education Services. This campaign is in collaboration with Nothing But Cheeseburgers (NBCB), a thriving F&B venture in Singapore. YMCA of Singapore has invited Joachim to come on board as the guest chef for the YMCA x NBCB Gastronomic Fiesta, where he is proud to introduce his selection of signature burgers exclusively at NBCB. Through his experiences in his culinary journey, his interactions with YMCA’s youth with special needs and children, Joachim gained the inspiration to create a delectable menu for a good cause, where funds raised will support YMCA’s youth programmes.

In support of this campaign, Joachim, alongside Singaporean social media influencer and youth advocate Simon Khung (@simonboyyyyyyy on Instagram and TikTok) and NBCB chef owner Tommy (@tommynbcb on Instagram), are coming together to share their incredible transformative stories. Be inspired by their journeys from adversity to achievement on YMCA’s social media channels (@ymca.singapore on Facebook and Instagram).

Marketing & Corporate Communications Team

YMCA of Singapore

YMCA MADURAI WOMEN’S DAY CELEBRATION

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Last Updated (Tuesday, 30 November 1999 08:00)

YMCA Madurai

Women’s Day Celebration

Women’s Day was celebrated at YMCA Madurai on 9^th March 2024. 65 staff members from various service projects of YMCA Madurai, participated with great joy and enthusiasm. Competitions on various games and rangoli was conducted. A debate on the topic “Is investing on education alone enough for women to accelerate progress?” was conducted and the staff team participated with much interest.

Ms. J. Shamila Doris, General Secretary, YMCA Madurai welcomed the gathering and the guests. Fr.J. Benedict Barnabas, President, YMCA Madurai delivered the presidential address. He said women’s empowerment is a human right. He quoted, Karl Marx’s statement ‘Great Social Changes are impossible without feminine upheaval’ and Gandhiji’s prayer which says, ‘Make me more Womenly’. He wished every woman to be the seeds of change in the community. Dr. Janet Vasanthakumari, Chairperson, Women's Concerns Desk, YMCA Madurai, greeted the gathering and emphasized on the necessity of acquiring life skills by women. She appreciated the participation of men in the program. The Special guest Dr. Sudha Dheep, Obstetrician & Family Physician, Taj Hospital, who is also the Co-Founder, TOPKIDS Foundation, talked about the internal well being of women. She stressed the need for Master Health Check up for women and men and shared about the precautionary measures to prevent cancer. She also informed about the available vaccinations and the need for Pap Smear Test that helps to find conditions such as infections or inflammations in cervix which leads to cancer. Ms.D. Priscilla, Board Member, YMCA Madurai and Ms.Judith Kirubakaran, Member of the Women’s Concerns Desk were also present on this occasion. Prizes were distributed to the winners in various competitions.

Ms.J.Shamila Doris

General Secretary

YMCA Madurai

International Women’s Day Celebration-2024

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Last Updated (Tuesday, 30 November 1999 08:00)

Theme: “Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress” #Inspire Inclusion
Venue: Savar YMCA Office Premises, St. Mother Teresa Road, Dewgaon, Savar, Dhaka / Date: 8th March 2024
Organized By: Savar Young Men’s Christian Association

International Women’s Day is a global celebration held yearly on March 8th to commemorate the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. It is also a day to advocate for gender equality and women's rights worldwide.

Savar YMCA celebrated the International Women’s Day 2024, very significantly with the involvement of the local women’s leader in the area of Savar. The theme of the day was: “Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress”. The Theme highlighted the transformative power of investing in women and underlines the importance of prioritizing gender equality as a catalyst for positive change and progress in society. It serves as a rallying cry for individuals, organizations, and governments to take action and commit to supporting women's empowerment and advancement.

Invest in Women: This involves allocating resources such as mentorship, training programs, and support networks to empower women and girls. Investment can take various methods, including educational investments in girls' schooling, and policy investments in women's health and rights. Savar Young Men’s Christian Association always tries to give space for the women, organizing activities which prioritize women, also giving opportunities to lead the Savar YMCA activities; not only that women are members of the Board of Savar YMCA. Investing in women is not just about improving outcomes for women themselves but also about advancing gender equality for all. It involves challenging categorizations, knocking barriers, and creating opportunities for women to flourish in all aspects of life. Gender equality benefits everyone and is essential for building an open-minded and more prosperous world.

Accelerating Progress: By investing in women, societies can accelerate progress towards gender equality and overall development. We can see in our society when women are empowered, they are able to contribute to economic growth, social stability, and improved outcomes in areas such as education, health and also political representation. Their participation leads to more diverse perspectives, innovative solutions, and inclusive decision-making processes.

This 8th March 2024, Savar YMCA celebrated the day with the women leaders, almost 130 women and 30 men were participants in this celebration at the premises of Savar YMCA office, St. Mother Teresa Road, Dewgaon, Savar, Dhaka, Bangladesh. It started early in the morning at 8:00 a.m. with prayer service. There were sharings from two prominent women as the main speakers. Women leaders from their respective organizations were provided opportunities to share. The session was about three and half hours and almost twenty different organizations shared their opinions and thoughts with the participants. The participants got new insights and learning experiences, vital for developing their understanding of gender equality and women's empowerment. Highlighting the importance of involving men and boys in the conversation about gender equality can lead to new understandings of unity and collaboration, co-responsibility, and the benefits of gender equality for all members of society, not just women. After the sharing, there was time for open discussion from different organizations.

After a short tea break, a cultural program was organized. The program included varieties of items highlighting the works of women, managing their family, working outside, and the challenges they face in day to day life. It also portrayed how women at present, manage their families, participate in different social activities and in leadership in community and at the national level. The performance of all the teams of the organization was excellent and entertaining at the same time very meaningful. The cultural program took about two hours. Four of the team performed short skits with beautiful messages and other teams performed either dance or songs. Our International Women’s Day program ended with a late lunch. All the participants enjoyed the lunch. After lunch our program was formally concluded.

By Ronel Francis Costa, General Secretary, Savar Young Men's Christian Association

Regional Webinar on the International Women’s Day

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Last Updated (Tuesday, 30 November 1999 08:00)

The Asia Pacific YMCA’s Gender Equity Committee (GEC) organized a virtual regional webinar on March 8th, 2024, commemorating International Women’s Day (IWD). The primary objective of this event was to advance gender equity and foster inclusivity.

The webinar was aligned with the UN Women’s theme, which emphasized the need to “Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress”, and aimed to inspire inclusion through its campaign theme of #InspireInclusion. The virtual webinar brought a diverse audience of 107 participants from 17 countries and territories to engage in the discourse. These countries included Australia, Bangladesh, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Macau, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, South Korea, and Timor Leste.

The webinar featured distinguished speakers who enriched the discourse on gender equity and empowerment. They are:

Ms. Soheila Hayek, President of World YMCA
Dr. Hahn Meerha, former Chair of the Gender Equity Committee
Ms. Marshia Mili Gomes, current Chair of the Gender Equity Committee

Their insightful discussions delved into the theme, addressing shared struggles, challenges, and aspirations for a more just and equitable world. Additionally, the unwavering commitment of General Secretary Nam Boo Won to gender justice initiatives served as an inspiration.

Sunita Suna, executive secretary for programs moderated the proceedings, ensuring that all participants had a productive and meaningful experience. The GEC extends heartfelt gratitude to each attendee for their active involvement, demonstrating firm support for a fair and inclusive global community.