Running head: reflection paper

YMCA -Careers/ Internships

Naresa A. Peart Robinson
International College of the Cayman Islands

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YMCA -Careers/ Internships

On the 17th November 2016, the International College of the Cayman Islands (ICCI) held
their quarterly Career Readiness Workshop. Over thirty ICCI students including myself were in
attendance to Mrs. Vanessa Hansen, Community Resource Director of YMCA presentation on
the YMCA Careers and Internship. Mrs. Hansen explained that the YMCA is the abbreviation for
Young Men Christian Association. She also stated that although the YMCA abbreviation has
young men in it, their purpose is extended to the entire family. The purpose of the YMCA is to
locate a need within the community and develop or work with existing programs to meet this
need.
Mrs. Hansen stated that YMCA was established in 1844 in London and currently operates
in over 119 countries in the world. Cayman is its latest establishment being country number 119
on its list. To date, YMCA is the largest service organization in the world. Mrs. Hansen
explained YMCA decided to focus on youths in a preventative measure for the Cayman Islands.
While there are so many needs that are in Cayman communities such as single parent training
and assistance worships, afterschool care programs, fathers in training programs, careers
readiness programs, adult care training and adolescence programs. Mrs. Hansen explained that if
YMCA started with the Youth programs in Cayman they would assist with creating positive
future leaders for Cayman, therefore preventing youth left idle and became a nuisance to society.
The mission statement of the YMCA is to help people reach their God-given potential by
putting Christian principles into practice in ways that build a healthy body, spirit, and mind
(Hanson, 2016). With this mission, YMCA, has spread its vision to change the world by doing
good and being relevant in the areas in which they operate. In the Cayman, Islands YMCA is
doing just that by providing youth programmers such as summer camps for kids, teen leadership

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programs, team building and leadership programs. All the programs that YMCA offers are free
except for the Team Building and Development programs provided to companies. The YMCA is
a non-profit organization, which depends heavily on sponsorship and volunteers, only a few
staffs are employed full time. The team development and building program that companies
purchase for their employees provide dual benefits to the businesses and for YMCA funding.
Mrs. Hansen explains that to run a successful nonprofit organization, you must know
when not to reinvent the while. On surveying, the Cayman Islands YCMA realized that there was
a great need for afterschool programs for children and youths. The National Council of Voluntary
Organizations (NCVO) had an afterschool program for government school children. By
partnering with NCVO, the combined team currently offer after school program for over fourteen
hundred teens and children (Hanson, 2016). YMCA currently operates without a YMCA office,
but it is their desire to provide afterschool programs for both government and private school
children and teens once they have their facility.
YCMA is always looking for volunteers, and as the needs grow within the community,
there will be a greater need for full-time staff (Hanson, 2016). Mrs. Hansen explained that
volunteers are needed for the children after school programs dance teachers, gymnast and bus
operators to transport children to aftercare and home after the program. By partnering with
YMCA, and assisting with the afterschool programs will help me to give back to my community
and mentor the future generation. Mrs. Hansen explained the importance of having discipline and
structure, the knowledge from this session is essential for my professional growth, as I listened to
Mrs. Hansen, I realize that passion and purpose far exceed salary when you enjoy your job. In
conclusion, it was interesting to hear Mrs. Hansen explain the importance of YMCA within the
community. YMCA focus on finding a need and developing or partnering with programs to meet

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the demand has resulted in communities benefiting from their input. Focusing on Caymans
youth and children from a preventative basis has cause ideas for new programs and desire for
more volunteers. Partnering with YMCA will benefit not just your community but the entire
Cayman Islands.

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References

Hanson, V. (2016). YCMA- Careers and Intership. International College of the Cayman Islands Career Readiness Workshop. Bodden Town.