Opis organizácie

YMCA Setúbal – (Young Man’s Christian Association of Setúbal) is a Private Social Solidarity Institution, engaged with the development of recreational and educational programs, from a community empowerment perspective. YMCA Setúbal has as priority geographic area of intervention, the county of Setúbal.
Member of the YMCA International Network which has a coordinating structure in Portugal – YMCA Portugal, - YMCA Setúbal was originally founded on 11th January 1975. More than a decade later, on the 11th December 1985, the organization was re-founded in order to establish an ATL agreement (leisure center for children activities) with the Social Security, which has coincided with the celebration of the International Year of Youth.
Together with the international movement the YMCA intervention in Setúbal is based on the social work within the society in general, with utmost attention to young people in particular in their personal training, as well as in the promotion of health and sport. These objectives are to promote participation, solidarity and cultural integration, as well as the initiative and personal value of each young person. Throughout its existence YMCA Setúbal has collaborated with more than a hundred institutions, among Private Social Solidarity Institution’s, NGOs or OG. From this shared experience, we believe that we can consider ourselves as an entity with relevant local social contribution, specifically regarding the areas of social intervention: youth and childhood, sports and physical activity, family and society but also in the area of social inclusion (employment, training and education). Among the work carried out over the last years by this Association, we can highlight the support to the needy populations of the city, mainly of the Bela Vista neighborhood (it’s a territory with accentuated endogenous difficulties of integration with poverty and other social problems). Our support is provided through a network of day care centers, kindergartens, leisure centers, and two gymnasiums in the city center. We also have a YMCA Camp in the Arrábida Natural Park and another program center, the Bela Vista Green Park.
For several years training has been a commitment for the YMCA of Setúbal, playing a fundamental role in the projects of the institution and in the quality of its results.
Open to all people, without discrimination of sex, age, race, culture or religion, the YMCA movement bases its action on the principles of Christianity and has as general objectives: citizenship; the youth while a natural training process and development of a life project; leadership, communication and animation techniques. They are all fundamental conditions in the processes of social intervention.
YMCA of Setúbal does not practice any type of discrimination based on gender, ethnic or religious affiliation or any other characteristic that does not arise from its activities. Its conduct is characterized by respect for the following principles: equal treatment of all agents involved in their training; loyalty, ethics; legal requirements applicable to the activities it carries out; quality of interventions.
Social inclusion of young people through activities in the field of sport and arts, vocational training, exchanges, associative tourism and the promotion of leadership and entrepreneurship are a priority for the future. About 5,000 people are involved annually in our activities. Professionally we have about 119 people. We currently have approximately 50 volunteers who annually assist us in various activities.