YMCA 2025 January Perspective
27-01-2025
Cover Story
YMCA social enterprise YM Fleur launches community art project with Urban Renewal Authority
Our social enterprise YM Fleur received support from Urban Renewal Authority under the "Arts and Cultural Partnership Programme in Old Urban Districts" to organise the community art project " The Joy of Floral ". By hosting floral art workshops, we aim to engage grassroots women in the community, raise public awareness and use of local floral materials and contribute to sustainable development.
The project also received donations of floral materials from flower shops at the Flower Market and involved nine districts organisations, groups and merchants. Under the project, YM Fleur organises a total of nine floral art workshops from December 2024 to August 2025 to be taught by grassroots women or part-time working mothers who need to stay at home to look after their children. The workshops provide residents living in the Prince Edward district with the opportunity to create floral art. During the process, these women not only get to hone their skills, but also ensure a full and effective connection with the community. They also serve as role models, demonstrating how women from disadvantaged backgrounds can use their strengths to bring more resources to the community. In this way, the project can spread positive values by showing how different social groups can contribute to the community and sustainable development.
The project will collect the floral artworks created by the residents during the art workshops for display in the community. Through community interaction, participants can gain a better understanding of their own community and be able to affirm their role and contribution in society, bringing out the importance of community connection and the spirit of collaboration. Selected floral artworks will be gifted to different members of the community to spread love and blessings.
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In the run-up to Christmas last month, YM Fleur was invited to partner with Urban Renewal Authority and Yau Tsim Mong District Office to organise Flower Market Christmas Festive Event at the Flower Market in Prince Edward. The organisers installed Christmas decorations and dazzling lights around the Flower Market, some of which were arranged and made by YM Fleur. In addition, a workshop were organised at the Flower Market on the weekend before Christmas ( 21 and 22 December 2024) , inviting the public to participate in the production of Christmas decorations to be given to the elderly centres and nursing homes in the district, spreading love further.
Click here to find out more about YM Fleur on social media: https://www.facebook.com/ymfleur
What's NewsYMCA once again wins two ESG awards at TVB ESG Awards
As YMCA strive to promote ESG work towards the goal of sustainable development in our social services, we are very honoured to be recognised for our ESG efforts. This year, we have once again won the "Best in ESG Practices" and "Best in ESG Report" awards at the TVB ESG Awards 2024, affirming our efforts and contributions in promoting sustainable development. After receiving the award, Mr. Karl Lau, General Secretary of YMCA took a photo with Mr. Siu Sai Wo, General Manager (Business Operations) of TVB. Mr. Lau was also invited to participate in the filming of the TVB promotional video for ESG activities, showcasing our unwavering commitment to promoting green living and sustainable development.
We have garnered numerous awards at the "Hong Kong ESG Reporting Awards (HERA)" and the "ESG Achievement Awards". These awards have inspired us to take on a pioneering role in promoting ESG in the social welfare sector, and we hope to inspire more social welfare organisations to invest in ESG work and work together to build a better Hong Kong.
YMCA volunteer service recognised at the Hong Kong Volunteer Award 2024
Jointly organised by the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau and the Agency for Volunteer Service, the Hong Kong Volunteer Award Presentation Ceremony 2024 was held at the Queen Elizabeth Stadium in Wan Chai on 10 December 2024. As a prestigious, influential and credible volunteer award, it encourages the public and various sectors across Hong Kong to join volunteering, support the underprivileged and together build a caring and inclusive society.
In recognition of our outstanding performance in active participation and promotion of volunteer work, we were awarded the "Non-commercial Organisation - Top 10 Highest Volunteer Service Hour Award", received by Ms. Jessica Shiu, Assistant Director of YMCA. In addition, Mr. Pang Ching Yan, a member of the University YMCA (The Chinese University of Hong Kong), was also awarded the "JC VOLUNTEER TOGETHER Outstanding Rising Star Volunteer Award" for his contribution to volunteering. Mr. Pang was introduced to our volunteer services last year when he participated in the "Joint-U Playground Builder Project 8.0". He performed outstandingly in the process of participating in preparatory meetings, leading activities and building playgrounds. Later, he also joined the new joint-school volunteer service programme. As a volunteer leader, he guided a new group of members through various preparatory tasks and helped build a handmade playground in Laos. His annual volunteer service hours reached 462, and his active commitment to volunteer service was praised and recognised by the organisers.
Outstanding Service Award Scheme 2024
To recognise outstanding service projects and promote collaboration across units or groups, we organise the "Outstanding Service Award Scheme" to encourage the sharing of service experiences and wisdom, and the continuous pursuit of excellence. After rigorous interviews and selections, the 2024 award winners are as follows:
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Awards |
Winning project |
Winning unit |
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First Prize and Inner-cooperation Award |
JC InnoPower: Nature4Mind |
Hin Keng Centre |
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Second Prize and Sustainable Development Award |
"Project A**- Project for SEN Students" |
Jordan Centre |
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Third Prize and Innovative Award |
"Melt Away Your Stress" |
Tsuen Wan Centre |
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Merit Award |
"Drugs-free Experience" |
Tsuen Wan Centre Overnight Outreaching Service for Young Night Drifters |
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Merit Award |
"Light Chaser" - Joint U Riddle Myth Challenge |
University and College YMCA Department |
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Merit Award |
"Be Your Good Neighbour Project" |
Brilliant Multicultural Centre |
Featured ProgrammeWu Kwai Sha Youth Village Open Day on the third day of the Chinese New Year
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The annual Wu Kwai Sha Youth Village Open Day will be held on the third day of the Chinese New Year on 31 January 2025. On that day, visitors can pay an admission fee of $20 to use the camp facilities, including the barbecue area, recreation room, basketball courts, mini-soccer pitch, badminton courts and children's playground. There will also be a variety of free and paid camp activities, a giant inflatable trampoline, an inflatable maze, bungee trampolines, go-kart and various new sports to try. The event also features a line-up of exciting stage performances this year, including taekwondo dance, freestyle football, traditional face changing, Home of Love - Yung Shing Hostel Chinese Lion Dance performance and singing performances, bringing participants a truly unique experience!
In addition, the bazaar in the soccer pitch are also one of the event highlights, where plenty of fun and exciting stalls will offer participants a great time of feasting, shopping and playing! There will also be an animal viewing area with Chinese New Year-themed decorations. Members are welcome to invite friends and family to join them at Wu Kai Sha Youth Village for a fun holiday.
Date: 31 January 2025 (Friday)
Venue: Wu Kwai Sha Youth Village (2 On Chun Street, Ma On Shan, Sha Tin, New Territories)
Fee: $20/person
For enquiries: 2642 9420
Note: An additional fee of $100 will be charged for parking (limited parking spaces available)
Wong Yi Chau Youth Camp Open Day 2025
Wong Yi Chau Youth Camp will hold an open day on 9 February 2025. Participants can enjoy a variety of camp activities, including zip-lining, tree climbing, tree rope courses, archery, pizza making and handicrafts. Members and the public are invited to come and join the various camp activities on the day.
Date: 9 February 2025 (Sunday)
Time: 10:00 am to 4:30 pm (arrive and leave the campsite according to the designated time slots)
Fee: $50/person
Transportation: The campsite will arrange for a kaito ferry to pick up participants at Sai Kung New Public Pier Berth 8 to enter and leave the campsite on the day. There will be 4 scheduled ferry trips (see poster for details).
For enquiries: 2792 4516
Programme Highlights "Connect" Youth Interest Practice Programme (2024-2025) One-Day Cafe Sharing Session and Award Ceremony
Under the "Connect" Youth Interest Practice Programme (2024-2025) co-organised by Kowloon City & Yau Tsim Mong District Social Welfare Office of the Social Welfare Department and the Yau Tsim Mong At-risk Youth Services Exchange Association, the "One-Day Cafe Sharing Session and Award Ceremony" was held on 15 December 2024 at the Jordan Centre, inviting Ms. Vivian Lam, District Social Welfare Officer of Kowloon City and Yau Tsim Mong, as the officiating guest. Collaborating with various organisations in the district, the programme sets up different interest groups that employ a variety of intervention methods such as group work and case studies to enhance the participants' skills and self-understanding, thereby boosting their confidence. During the ceremony, Ms. Vivian Lam attentively took in the voices of more than 30 participants, as they shared their learning outcomes over the past few months and recounted their growth experiences. At the ceremony, the participants arranged every detail from the venue decorations to the performances and catering. They even personally invited their "VIPs" to cheer for them and share their achievements, including their teachers, family and friends. The heartfelt exchanges between the participants and guests made the ceremony an unforgettable experience for all.
Walking Football Age Group Competition Season 4 Tournament Award Ceremony and Trial Day
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The Walking Football Season 4 Tournament organised by the Chinese YMCA of Hong Kong - Jockey Club Walking Football Project has come to a successful conclusion. The tournament was divided into a total of four groups, including Men's Open Division, Men's 60+, Men's 65+ and Women's Open Division, attracting a total of 260 participants. An award ceremony was held on 18 December 2024 for the tournament, followed by a Walking Football trial day. The award ceremony was attended by current professional footballer Mr. Andy Wong, who presented the awards and encouraged fellow players to enjoy the fun and safe competition of Walking Football. During the trial activities, participants had a great time experiencing the joy of Walking Football, which fully embodies the spirit of the sport: Fun, Fitness and Friendship. All participants expressed their excitement at participating in future Walking Football activities. The Chinese YMCA of Hong Kong - Jockey Club Walking Football Project will continue to organise community activities to promote the physical, mental and spiritual health of participants through Walking Football.
"Fear No More" Physical and Mental Health Promotion Project
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With funding from the Kwai Tsing District Youth Programme for 2024/25, the New Territories Centre organised the "'Fear No More’ Physical and Mental Health Promotion Project" , focusing on art and sports to create a healthy community and promote the importance of a balanced mind, body and spirit. As part of this project, a bazaar and carnival event was held on 1 December 2024, attracting the participation of 819 visitors. The event was divided into four themed activities: "Soul Amazing Art Workshop", "Sports For Wellness Fitness Station", "Soul Happy Free Creative Bazaar" and "Soul Slow Art Experience Creation Space". With the "social prescription" health management model, the project hopes to expand from traditional medical treatment to comprehensive psychological and social care, and promote the awareness of self-health management in everyone.
Through the bazaar workshop experience, participants learned to be "present" and "let go of little things", relieving physical and mental stress and recharging mental energy in the process. Participants shared that the activity helped them relax, and they were able to enjoy the activity and discover their interests.
PAIN Kick Zone
As city dwellers who often work overtime and frequently perform repetitive motions, we are more susceptible to joint pain or sports injuries that can affect our quality of life. The Association’s Health Care Professions Department is launching a regular monthly column and publishing short articles about self-care. Topics covered will include arthritis, joint pain and self-healing. For more detailed health-related information, please visit our website www.ymca.org.hk/hcp or call 2783 3616 for inquiries.
Schroth Exercises for Scoliosis
If Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis is not treated properly, irreversible deformity problem could carry over to adult stage. It could cause cosmetic concerns and also increase risk of developing pain conditions.
Schroth exercise therapy is a specialised form of physical therapy designed to treat scoliosis, originated from Germany in 1921. It focuses on prevention or deceleration of further progress of spinal deformity, stabilisation of spinal corrections in "three dimensions", hoping on avoiding surgical intervention in severe cases.
According to individual difference on spinal deformity, physiotherapist could design individualised Schroth exercise. Patient will need to learn postural awareness, correct poor posture, learn breathing techniques to open up compressed rib cage and spinal curve. Activation of specific muscles could also assist stabilisation of spine in satisfactory alignment. Apart from working with certified Schroth Therapist to ensure correct technique and reasonable progression, regular and accurate home exercise are also essential.
Discovering YMCA ChannelYM Activity Highlights "A Culture of Peace Campaign 2024" - "Master Peace Knitting"
＊Some of the activities were subsidised by the Social Welfare Department
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