Metropolitan YMCA raises more than S$200,000 for outreach programmes

YOUTH organisation Metropolitan YMCA (MYMCA) has raised more than S$200,000 at its fundraising gala, which took place on Nov 28 at One Farrer Hotel. The amount raised includes dollar-for-dollar matching by Tote Board.

The funds will go towards MYMCA’s outreach programmes, which have so far supported more than 2,000 vulnerable seniors, youth and low-income families this year. The programmes are backed by corporate partners such as DBS, KPMG, Keppel Land, Hongkong Land and Delta Air Lines.

The M.Y HomeShine programme involves monthly home-cleaning services for seniors. They mostly live in rental and one-room flats, and are unable to maintain basic home cleanliness due to their frailty. 

MYMCA also promotes active ageing with healthy activities through the M.Y Healthy Seniors programme. These sports-related activities are conducted on a regular basis, and aim to promote mental and physical wellness.

M.Y Strong Readers is a reading programme, targeting preschool children aged four to six from low-income families. It aims to improve literacy skills and build the bond between participating parents and their children.

Another programme for children is M.Y Adventure, which runs during school holidays. It promotes wellness through outdoor activities and helps build social skills.

Meanwhile, the M.Y Manna programme supplies basic groceries and toiletries to low-income families every month. It also involves befriending families in need.

M.Y Mentoring is MYMCA’s experiential learning programme for youth in schools and communities. It focuses on providing a safe and nurturing space for them to be more open about their experiences, thoughts and feelings with trained mentors. 

Mental health has been a key focus of MYMCA’s outreach this year, with its Youth Got It symposium having a record-high attendance of 400 young people.

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MYMCA group chief executive officer Grace Chan said such an event “championed mental wellness”.

Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Culture, Community and Youth, as well as for Social and Family Development, Eric Chua, who was guest of honour at the gala, added: “While the prevalence of poor mental health has decreased and the willingness to seek help from healthcare professionals has increased among Singaporeans, about one in three Singaporean youths report symptoms of severe or extremely severe symptoms of depression, anxiety or stress.”

In the upcoming year, MYMCA plans to expand its Youth Got It efforts by collaborating with global YMCA teams. It also aims to serve more primary school children for M.Y Strong Readers, and scale fundraising for M.Y Sports Fiesta to increase its reach.