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President’s Message 

 

Ms. Helen Lee

 

Founded in 1920, Hong Kong YWCA has been rooted in the city for more than a century. It is not only a long-established local women’s organization dedicated to providing diverse services to those in need, but also promotes YWCA Movement with YWCA sisters worldwide to manifest the love and care of Christ by serving the community.

Serve the community with Christ’s love

Since its establishment, YWCA has upheld Christian faith and values in its services, spreading the seeds of the gospel both within and outside the Association. Board members and management staff prayed for the Association together in the devotions prior to every Board meeting. The Board of Directors’ Fellowship also held regular gatherings to share their spiritual journeys and testimonies, and respond to God’s calling. At the annual Founding Day Prayer Meeting and Prayer Meeting for Board, Committee and Staff, pastors were invited to share messages, encouraging us to stay true to our original purpose of service in the face of challenges, and to enrich life with Christ’s love. Staff also shared their commitment to the mission of the Association, with Christian women volunteers performing drama to illustrate how our predecessors cared for the well-being of women in the spirit of Christ.

Closer ties and in-depth exchange with YWCA sisters

 

As a member of the World YWCA, the Association has closely connected with YWCA sisters to fulfill our shared mission. We are delighted to have multiple opportunities over the past year for exchange with YWCA sisters from various regions to enhance our fellowship and friendship. These included receiving the delegation of Department of Ethnic and Religious Affairs of Guangzhou and YWCA of Guangzhou, and the young colleagues from nine city associations in the Mainland led by the National Council of YWCAs of China. They visited our different service units and we mutually shared our service developments. In November 2023, I was invited to participate in the centennial celebration of the National Council in Shanghai with Chief Executive, Chairperson of YWCA Movement Committee and Department Head of YWCA Movement. We not only visited the National Council and the YWCA of Shanghai to learn about the services of the National Council and city associations, but also took part in different cultural activities with sisters of World YWCA and YWCAs of Canada, Singapore, Japan and Nepal.

Besides, I attended the 30th World YWCA Council meeting with Chief Executive, Board members, Glocal Y members and staff on behalf of the Association. Over 300 leaders and representatives from more than 70 YWCAs participated in this quadrennial global meeting which was held online for the first time. Recent developments of World YWCA were reviewed and we voted on various agenda items. The new World YWCA Board was also elected at the meeting. Indeed, YWCA Movement is the mission embraced by YWCAs from all over the world. Since the founding of the Association, we have committed ourselves to promoting the three core elements of YWCA Movement, namely, Christian ministry, women affairs and membership affairs. With Christian faith as our cornerstone, we serve communities in need with Christ’s love, nurture the holistic development and foster the personal growth of members and volunteers. We also focus on women’s needs, steadfastly advancing gender equality, women’s empowerment and intergenerational leadership, with the goal to build a society of mutual respect between genders, where women have ample opportunities to participate and contribute, living abundant lives.

Align with the development of the nation and HKSAR Government

 

As part of Hong Kong’s social welfare sector, the Association has actively aligned with the overall development directions of the nation and HKSAR Government, and strengthened the awareness of national security and sense of patriotism. For this purpose, we have participated in various related activities throughout the year, including Hong Kong Social Welfare Summit cum Inaugural Ceremony of Hong Kong Social Welfare Sector Heart to Heart Joint Action, the 2024 Policy Address Exchange Session, Symposium on Safeguarding National Security for Social Welfare Sector of Hong Kong and “Connecting Hearts” Chaozhou High-Speed Rail Exchange Tour, aiming to better integrate into the welfare service development of the Mainland. Besides, as always, the Association supports the Government policies with concrete actions. For example, we served as one of the district organizers (Kowloon West) of the Strive and Rise Programme during the year, playing a role in advancing the targeted poverty alleviation strategy being put forward by the Government. Various youth services were also launched to enhance the holistic development of youth.

 

Lastly, I would like to sincerely thank different sectors of society for their generosity, compassion and recognition. It is the support of Government departments, corporate partners, churches, schools and various stakeholders, which enables the Association to pass on its mission. With the concerted efforts of board and committee members, volunteers, members and staff, we will continue to serve the community with heart, witnessing God’s grace.