Welcome to AYC INC Victoria

🌟 What AYC Chess Club Does for Mental Health & Wellbeing

Every Tuesday & Thursday | 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM

1. Youth-Led Chess & Wellbeing Sessions
   Our chess sessions bring young people together in a safe, culturally respectful space where they can play, learn, and connect. Led by peers and mentors, these sessions use chess as a tool to build focus, patience, and confidence while creating opportunities to talk, share, and support one another. 
2. Early Intervention Through Strategic Thinking
   Chess naturally supports mental wellbeing by encouraging calm decision-making, problem-solving, and emotional control. Through guided play, young people learn how to manage pressure, think ahead, and stay composed—skills that help in everyday life. 
3. Culturally Safe Chess Circles
   Our club celebrates African culture and community by creating an inclusive environment where young people feel seen, heard, and valued. Chess becomes more than a game—it becomes a space for storytelling, connection, and shared growth. 
4. Holistic Wellbeing Through Play
   While learning chess, participants also build life skills such as discipline, resilience, and self-awareness. Conversations around wellbeing, healthy habits, and positive choices are naturally integrated into sessions. 
5. Mentorship & Peer Support at the Board
   Each session includes guidance from mentors who support players not just in chess, but in life. Young people are encouraged to set goals, build confidence, and support each other through friendly competition and teamwork. 
6. Community Connection Through Chess
   The Chess Club is a space to belong. It reduces isolation by bringing young people together regularly in a positive and engaging environment, strengthening friendships and community ties. 
7. Pathways & Support Beyond the Game
   Through the Chess Club, AYC can connect participants to additional wellbeing support and services if needed. We work alongside trusted partners to ensure every young person has access to the help they deserve. 

♟️ Join us and make your next move—on the board and in life.