• Doswell Coakley swearing-in ceremony for Senator
• PM welcomes International Distributors to G.B.
• Struggle continues to end HIV/AIDS discrimination
• Public Affair Food Price Debate Continues
• Embassy sponsors Narcotics Detection and Tracking Training for RBDF Officer
• Pelican Bay at Lucaya Launches New Program to Honor Team Members for Exceptional Guest Service
• Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative: Implementation on Target
• New Board for The International Federation of Women Attorneys(GB)
• Young Men’s Training Association – Lewis Yard
• Lucaya MP sees a future for our kids
• Lucayan Medical Centre launches new website
• Bahamas Wahoo Challege a success in West End
• FNM Launches New Party Website
• Meet a litter of ten boys
• Paid at the Pumps Raffle Kicks-off

Young Men’s Training Association – Lewis Yard

After Hurricane Wilma ravaged the Western District of Grand Bahama in late 2005, Rotary was on the ground and in the communities the very next day. The Rotary Clubs of Nassau teamed up with International Rescue and flew a Cessna Caravan back and forth from Nassau with Food, Water and Baby Supplies, pre packaged by the Nassau Rotarians. International Rescue flew a helicopter and coordinated the mission from the air. The three Rotary Clubs of Grand Bahama’s Disaster Response Team distributed these supplies during that day and for days after into all of the affected areas and communities which were so badly devastated.

A few days afterwards, during our clubs Community Needs Assessment, we stumbled upon a building on the sea side which was pretty much demolished. I stopped, and got out with a bag of food and water to give to the few men who were busy cleaning up the mess. To my surprise, I was informed that in fact this was not a residence but a Community Center called the Young Men’s Training Association or YMTA, and that while they would love a bottle of water there were people who needed food and water worse than them. I drove on with my mission -passing out food, water, and searching for mothers who had babies (since for some reason that particular day I was loaded with baby supplies) giving the building and the men there very little thought as there was disaster all around and so much to do.

A few days later I happened past the YMTA again and spoke with a group of guys still working on the building. I found out that they were trying to put the center back together because it was the only place in the community where people could meet, hold functions and meetings, and it had the only basketball court in the entire area which was not connected to a church or school.

These men were working on this center because they wanted to instill hope and confidence back into the people - that just because Wilma mashed everything up, all hope is not lost!

Now, we as Rotarians started to take notice. Here was a group of leaders in the local community who were actually trying to affect change. They wanted better for the young people of the area and they wanted their Community Center back up and running.

Steve Gunn, Rotary Freeport’s Director of Community Service and I have visited the center many times since Wilma and what impresses us the most is that this group is focused on getting back up and running, and while they are dependent on the support of businesses and organizations such as Rotary, they aren’t sitting around with their hand out waiting for someone to put money in it. No, this group is making things happen, and they’re doing it quickly as well. Every time that Steve and I go out there they have accomplished something more.

That self help, can do, will do attitude has very much impressed us and motivated us to work with this worthy group. Subsequent conversations with members of the Rotary Club of East Nassau about the center has led to their club donating over $6,000 for restoration to the building. These funds were used to dry in the building, tile the floor, sheetrock, repair the bathrooms and kitchen among other things. Most of this work was done by tradesmen donating their services to the community.

This can do, will do attitude has led to other organizations giving support to the cause as well, such as Bahama Rock, which has cleared the land behind the building to create a future sports field. I use the word future because we still need someone to come in and put some sand and soil down and plant some grass, then build bleachers and mark out the field for whatever type of sports are going to be played there.

I must pause here Simon, and tell you that I felt it necessary to drive by the center to check on my way to Rotary today, because you guys move so fast that you might have already accomplished that, but I see you haven’t just yet. So, we still have a field to complete. Who in our community, in our country, is going to step up to the plate (a little play on words there) and help us build this field?

Just think 8 teams of 20 young people. That’s 160 young persons off the blocks, out from under the shade tree, away from the evil temptation of drug dealers and numbers men and into an environment where they are part of a team. A sports team! Teamwork means working together, building social skills and responsibility; these are fundamental building blocks that they can grow with and use to integrate themselves into the job force. They will be coached by sensible adults who will act as mentors helping to build the social skills and instill confidence that is so lacking in our youth throughout the country. I envision a day when on game day the entire family comes together to watch their kids play as part of a team, thus building family unity and community spirit. It’s not far now until that day happens at the YMTA.

While I am asking for money to finish the sports field, and we will get it, there is an equally important need and that is the necessity for good men and women to volunteer their time and expertise to mentor at the center. We need volunteers to come out and spend some time at the center and be a part of the various programs and activities that will be ongoing there. Without that human element we cannot achieve the success that is required to make a difference.

Last time I was at the center I was handed a copy of an overview of your newest initiative, The West Grand Bahama Youth Development Association. I’ve printed copies and placed on the tables. This program was created to utilize the YMTA center.

Please turn to the last page titled – Code of Association Conduct:

Skip item 1 and examine 2 thru 5, then look over to my right and carefully read our own 4 Way Test.

It’s the same message, just worded alittle different.

This is the type of organization I’m talking about here.

We’ve been hearing the term “anchor project” a lot lately, and statements that every island needs an anchor project for economic viability. The YMTA is the type of anchor project that IS needed in every single community in the Bahamas. This is a project by the people for the people.

Having said that, I would like to inform the public that the Rotary Club of Freeport made an application to the Finance and Procedure Committee of Rotary District 6990 requesting funds to further support the YMTA in their repairs of the damages of the center. Rotary has a special fund called the Robbins Fund which is earmarked for disaster relief and moneys from the fund are available for restoration projects from natural disasters. The vote from the F & P Committee was unanimous in favor of support of this project.

Therefore, I am very proud on behalf of the Rotary Club of Freeport and District 6990 to present to the Young Men’s Training Association a cheque in the amount of $25,000 to be used to restore this important facility. I should point out though that none of these funds are for the field; we still need to find those funds elsewhere.