It is our mission of the Cape Town YMCA to empower those most at risk in South Africa through the development of leadership, education, and communication skills. The YMCA programs strive to provide the necessary skills to transform those most vulnerable into future pillars of their community.
Y-Zone Afterschool Youth Program:
Y-Zone is an afterschool program established in some of Cape Town’s most challenged areas to create a ‘safe zone’ where youth at risk are motivated to develop their education, confidence, leadership, and social skills. Personal attention and additional help with their homework allows the children to make significant progress with their problem subjects and overall studies. Additional Y-Zone activities include sports, arts and crafts, games, and life skills.
- Kraaifontein Y-Zone: Our pilot program launched in November 2009 in the library of one of the poorest communities in Cape Town. Over time through word of mouth, student enrolment has grown substantially from 10 to now averaging 50 community youth ages 7 to 18.
- Groot Constantia Y-Zone opened just recently in April 2010, with the program held in a recreational building at the Groot Constantia wine farm. Less than a year into the program, Y-Zone has already seen great lifts in their 2011 enrolment numbers!
- Coming Soon: Y-Zone Literacy Program in De Noon with the aim to equip those high school students in need at Inkwenkwezi Secondary School with the resources to improve and enhance their literacy skills.
Pollsmoor Prison Pre-Release Program:
In hopes to fight the growing crime rate and breakdown of the family structure in South Africa, the YMCA facilitates a Life Skills educational program in Pollsmoor Prison. The program works with soon to be released inmates in transforming their lives so they do not become a part of the drastically high reoffending statistics. The YMCA teaches prisoners the tools necessary to live an honest life, focusing topics relevant to their situations such as Drug / Alcohol Abuse, Resume Writing, Conflict Resolution, Anger Management, and Family Relationships. Working together with the YMCA staff, the inmates work to create viable plans for a fulfilling life upon their release.
YMCA Camps and Holiday Programs:
YMCA hosts an annual 5-day overnight Summer Camp at the beautiful YMCA Outdoor Centre in Hout Bay. This past year’s theme was ‘Cape Town’s Got Talent!’ and campers were able to showcase their many different talents on stage in front of their peers. Year to year, campers experience a fun-filled and memorable time with entertaining and team-building activities like treasure hunts, hiking, a day at the beach, sports, culture, Olympic events, swimming pool fun, and much more.
Additionally, the YMCA hosts Holiday programs for the community youth who are on break from school. These programs take the underprivileged youth to destinations they are not typically able to go to, such as the cinema, ice skating rink, and hiking Kirstenbosch Mountain.
Operates in: Cape Town, Western Cape
Established in: August 1865
Non-Profit Organisation Number: 028-960
Public Benefit Organisation Number: 930001932
Section 21 Company Number:
Trust Number:
Contact person: Llowellyn Syce
Phone: 021 447 6217
Fax: 021 447 6275
Email:
Website: www.ymcacapetown.org.za
Physical address: YMCA Building, Burham Road, Observatory
Postal address: P O Box 57, Observatory, 7935
