YWCA B’dos celebrates 67 years

Come join the Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA) of Barbados and be part of a team that has been changing lives and communities.

Yesterday, President, Tamita Griffith, took the opportunity to issue this call as the organisation is on the hunt for young blood to join its membership.

She was at the time addressing a Thanksgiving Service at Goodland New Testament Church of God, to kick off the YWCA’s Week of Activities, as it celebrates 67 years of service to Barbados.

She revealed that one such activity a Karaoke Lime will be held on Thursday, June 29 @ 8 pm at The Pub, Carlton, Desmond Haynes Oval, Black Rock, St. Michael, aimed at reaching out to younger persons.

“For us to increase our members, we can’t rely on persons coming to the YWCA, so we have to reach out and try to convince persons – kind of promote the YWCA as an organisation – that they can join and give back to the community”.

“The majority of our members now, are older persons; therefore, we are looking to attract more younger people who will help – in terms of our presents programmes, as well as new ones. We would have those persons to keep the movement alive,” she said.

The YWCA of Barbados, promotes the empowerment and development of women and girls through advocacy and through the management and support of programmes, and remains “United in Love and Service”.

Reflecting on the past 67 years, Griffith expressed to the congregation that the YWCA has many reasons to celebrate.

She highlighted that their success stories include – the first hostel in Barbados, introduction of the School Traffic Warden Scheme, delivery of Red Cross Meals on Wheels, and for the past ten years – “The Breakfast Club” Programme, catering to over 1 300 school children at 15 schools, both primary and secondary – across the island. The YWCA also carries out its Reading Club, and Griffith disclosed the organisation’s desire to reintroduce programmes and classes such as, “Square Foot Gardening”, “Early Childhood Education”, and the “Sewing Project” to refresh school uniforms instead of throwing them away.

During the service, Pastors H. Meredith and Ruth Hinds presented the YWCA with a generous donation towards The Breakfast Club. Griffith not only thanked them for their kind assistance, but revealed that the funds will go towards assisting children who remain in the programme during the summer holiday.

“We only do the Breakfast Club programme to coincide with the school terms. However, during the summer vacation some parents have expressed interest in having breakfast provided… because of funds we were only focusing on schools within the environs of the YWCA, but this donation has come in very handy as we can reach out to other schools – so more children can benefit from the “Summer Breakfast Takeaway Package”,” she said.

After the service, activities continued with a ‘Women Do Fabulous’ Brunch held at the YWCA Headquarters, FarmRoad, Deacons, St Michael.

Celebrating with the organisation were its corporate sponsors, persons who benefit from the programmes as well as several entertainers who continuously support the YWCA’s efforts.

It was also an opportunity to meet the Miss World Barbados 2017 delegates. Griffith revealed that the YWCA’s relationship with Miss World Barbados come out of the recently held YWCA Fun Fest, which aimed at raising funds to reintroduce its Summer Take Away Breakfast Package and sustaining the other programmes during the school year. (TL)