YMCA Youth Support

(Special Needs)

(As of April 2024)

YMCA Youth Support
(Special Needs)

We champion, challenge and train youth with special needs. Through a range of arts, sports and employment training programmes, we build confidence, resilience and independence in youth with special needs so they can live independently and reach their full potential.

As of April 2024

Social Outcome in Numbers

Each year, we strive to transform lives and strengthen communities worldwide.

YMCA Club LITE
109
Members
33
Events
644
Engagements
6,132
Member's Participation
322
Unique Volunteers
YMCA Train and Places
4
Runs
27
Enrolments
22
Commplete and Graduates
5
Gain Employment

Y Dance

Moving Forward to the Beat

YMCA Dance engages youth with special needs through dance. Dancing is a fun way to stay physically active while providing a platform for creative self-expression, especially for non-verbal clients.

Through focusing on enjoying the music, clients can let loose and explore creating art through movement. It also provides physical exercise, social interaction, and a platform for self-discovery, improving emotional health.

Participants of the programme may also be invited to perform at various YMCA community service events, providing public exposure and building confidence.

For more information, please email us at

Y Bowling

Rolling onto a 
Better Me

YMCA Bowling engages youth with special needs, including those who graduated from special needs schools and have minimal touchpoints with the community.


Through regular sports, YMCA encourages youths to lead an active and healthy lifestyle, which can improve physical fitness and mental health. Bowling also builds flexibility, balance, and hand-eye coordination. Upon completion of the programme, participants receive an official certification, building confidence and self-worth. Through regular interactions with volunteers and peers, this also serves as a platform to build social and communication skills through meaningful friendships.


An easily adaptable sport, bowling is suitable for clients regardless of their age or athletic abilities.

For more information, please email us at

Y Nature Walk (Hiking)

Reaching Greater Heights

YMCA Hiking engages youth with special needs through leisurely hikes to support them in reaching new heights – both literally and figuratively!


For many youth with special needs, it may be difficult to organise outdoor activities or connect to nature. YMCA Hiking provides a platform to explore Singapore’s natural sights while building their physical fitness, mental health, confidence, and resilience.


Through regular sessions with peers and volunteers, these hikes also provide great opportunities for social interaction and the formation of meaningful friendships.

For more information, please email us at

Y Water Venture (Swimming)

Go with the Flow

YMCA Water Venture is among YMCA’s efforts to engage youth with special needs through regular sports. Swimming is a unique sport that allows participants freedom of movement in water.


Physical fitness can also improve mental wellness, self-esteem, and confidence. Apart from being a fun way of getting exercise, swimming also equips participants with a useful life skill that opens doors to other water sports and activities.

For more information, please email us at

YMCA Train & Place Series

YMCA Train & Place Series

YMCA Train & Place Series

Established in 2022, the YMCA Train & Place Series is a programme in partnership with Inclus and funded by Citi Foundation.

The programme trains and co-supports persons with special needs towards gainful employment in the service and hospitality sector. Through providing tailored training in a real-life work environment, the programme builds their confidence, work capabilities and supports them in independent living.  To-date, we have over 15 employment partners onboard our programme.

Admission Periods
  • No. of trainees enrolled during each intake: 12
  • Intake periods: one intake every quarter
Programme Duration and Structure

Each trainee will attend the programme from Mondays to Thursdays for five weeks, 9.30 AM – 5.00 PM. Upon completion of the programme, trainees will undergo interviews to land a job with one of our partnering employers in the service or hospitality industry.

Applicant Eligibility
  • Trainees must be above 18 years old
  • Trainees must be graduates from special needs schools
  • Trainees who are diagnosed with intellectual disabilities (e.g. Down Syndrome, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Global Development Delay)
  • Trainees should be able to travel independently
 

Application To find out more, please email us at trainandplace@ymca.org.sg, or register your interest by filling up this form.

YMCA Inclusive Climb

Making the Impossible, Possible

In 2019, YMCA recruited 10 persons with special needs to form a team of climbers. They underwent intensive physical training with the YMCA and overcame the difficulties of their various conditions – bone cancer, autism, cerebral palsy and visual impairments, among others – to challenge Japan’s tallest mountain, Mount Fuji.

Since then, every year, YMCA trains and sends a team of 10 persons with special needs to take on this challenge. The climb serves as an extraordinary journey of self-discovery which provides opportunities for the forming of meaningful friendships. By achieving something they had not thought was possible, the YMCA Inclusive Climb builds their resilience, confidence and self-esteem.

Watch a video on YMCA Inclusive Climb here:
https://www.youtube.com/2sqGE9pCEuQ

We are currently raising funds for YMCA Inclusive Climb at http://fuji.ymca.org.sg/!