Signature Programs

To volunteer, see contacts at the bottom of this page

Empowering young people for Life, Leadership and Service

The ongoing development of signature programmes is an integral part of the SAYMCA 2013-2015 strategic plan. It is an effort to harness pockets of excellence within the movement and develop them into clearly defined, marketable programmes. Local YMCAs are strongly connected with their communities, offering services and programmes that meet young people's needs. While different local YMCA programmes have different ‘flavours’, strong similarities exist and a common ethos binds them together.

Developing signature programmes enables the YMCA to identify what is working well at local level; to document the model and encourage all local YMCAs to align their existing work with agreed upon best practice. The South African YMCA has four signature programmes, namely;

  1. Y-Zone (after school care)
  2. Y-Justice (street children and interventions with juvenile offendors)
  3. Y-Arts (music, arts, drama)
  4. Y-Health (Y-Active gyms, fitness and nutrition)

Guiding Principles

Programme implementation is always at a local level. National office does not implement programmes, but will support and enable local associations.
 
Signature programmes uphold the mission, vision and values of the SAYMCA.
 
Signature programmes build and support the image and profile of the South African YMCA.
 
The SA YMCA will seek to build and uphold certain Best Practice standards and use the charter process as a means of regulating and enforcing implementation of these standards.
 
Programme development is informed by an in-depth analysis of young people's needs.

Programme Implementation

Youth Justice Programs are being implemented at the following YMCAs:
Cape Flats YMCA
Cape Town YMCA
Greater Durban YMCA (including Amanzimtoti YMCA)
Pietermaritzburg YMCA

 
Y-Zones are being run at the following YMCAs:
Athlone YMCA
Cape Flats YMCA
Cape Town YMCA (Kraaifontein, Constantia, Fisantekraal)
Greater Durban YMCA (including Amanzimtoti YMCA and KwaMashu YMCA)
Pietermaritzburg YMCA
Soweto YMCA

Y-Health programs are being implemented at the following YMCAs:
Soweto
Pietermaritzburg 
Cape Flats

Y-Arts programs are being implemented at the following YMCAs:
Greater Durban
Pietermaritzburg
Athlone

To become a volunteer in any of the above programmes, please contact Thandeka on (031)3054496 or thandeka@saymca.org.za