Corner Brook -
Peace and quiet have been known to go hand-in-hand, so it is a fitting pairing to describe some of the unknown programs and services of the Humber Community YMCA.
In fact, helping promote and bring peace throughout the world is one of the services the local organization goes about in a quiet way.
"When a YMCA comes to a community it doesn't come in a prepackaged format," Christine Young, chief executive officer, said while addressing the Corner Brook Rotary Club Thursday. "Many people think of us as coming into a community with a gym, sometimes a pool, maybe child-care programs. People have preconceived notions of what the YMCA is and why it comes to a community. But, when the YMCA comes into a community it brings what doesn't exist or compliments what already exists."
This week, the local Y was helping promote peace through a series of scheduled activities. Bernice Buckle, a community volunteer, was presented with the YMCA peace medal and a group of Grade 6 students held a speak off during an event Tuesday evening.
The organization began partnering with the YMCA in Honduras two years ago to help in the fight for youth's rights and freedoms. Evie Newton, the Y's chairperson, said, in that country, youth are being targeted by military alliances based on their looks, sexual orientation, and because of certain groups they belong to. Community leaders, including YMCA volunteers, have been teaching youth about their rights and how to stand up for what they are entitled to.
Newton said it is significant and touching because of the local focus on youth programs and services. There is an international committee established to raise money for the Honduran YMCA, but the support goes way beyond financial.
"We also give them help in terms of moral support and organizational support," she said. "We have a lot of experience in figuring out what the needs of a community are, and meeting those needs in whatever way we can."
Based on the speeches delivered in the peace week speak-off by the Grade 6 students, she said the message appears to be effective.
"I felt we could have handed out pencils and paper to take notes on how we could lead peaceful lives," Newton said.
However, the youth of Newfoundland and Labrador are by no means free of its struggles and problems. Young said one such program offered through the YMCA, Helping Youth Prepare for Employment (HYPE), is a successful attempt to aid in peace locally.
She said eight youth who have had "brushes with the law" took part in a job training and placement program. Following eight weeks of training and a six-month work placement in eight local businesses, she said seven of the eight have either gone on to continue working with that business or pursued further educational training.
The YMCA is working towards renewing federal and provincial funding to continue the HYPE program.
