The ACJ & the ACCT

Just before Christmas, Blue Ridge welcomed a youth group from the YMCA-ACJ in Colombia! It is not very often that we get the opportunity to host international groups, especially in our slower season, so we were very excited to accommodate them during their two week stay in December.

The YMCA-ACJ (“Asociacion Cristiana de Jovenes” or Association of Young Christians) was first established in the capital city of Bogota in 1964, working primarily with low-income families who were victims of violence or natural disaster. The Federation of Colombian ACJ’s was later established in 1978 and currently operates branches in 14 cities across the country.

These particular youth were from a community southeast of Bogota called Florencia, in the province of Caqueta.The group was comprised of thirteen teens (ages 11-16) and their two adult leaders, Jorge and Yohom. The trip included many new experiences, the largest of which was simply: WINTER! Our frigid alpine climate proved to be quite different from the balmy temperatures of the tropics that they are used to.

Colombians seeing snow for the first time!

Their unique mountain adventure was packed with both fun and learning, as it was an opportunity for the students to see American culture and practice the language first-hand.  In addition to daily English lessons, we planned exciting evening activities, and a sampling of Blue Ridge’s own environmental and adventure programs. The group enjoyed the majority of their meals in our Dining Room, but there were also a few occasions for them to make their own traditional cuisine in the kitchen of Weatherford. Delicioso!

The Colombian’s busy itinerary also featured visits to area attractions, where members of Blue Ridge staff served as “counselors” and accompanied them on all off-ground excursions. These day-trips were recreational and educational, but their favorite American pastime was, of course, SHOPPING! They are teenagers, after all.

ACJ-YMCA Colombia Student Trip

Off-Grounds Activities

• Dollywood Theme Park
• Asheville Mall
• Trolley Tour of Downtown Asheville
• Tour of Reuter Family YMCA
  

  Hanging out with American teenagers! The Leaders Club at Reuter Family YMCA

   
• Horseback Riding at Sandy Bottoms

Jorge leads the pack

• WNC Nature Center

Down on the (Nature Center) farm

• Visit to Biltmore Estate

Biltmore House!

• Skiing at Cataloochee Resort

Hittin' the slopes

 

On-Grounds Activities

• Odyssey Challenge Course
• Indoor Linear Course
• Indoor Climbing Wall
• Candle-making in Craft Room
• Alpine Tower and Giant Swing
• Kickball Tournament
• Mountain Biking
• Archery
• “High Windy” Hike

Group shot at the top of High Windy. We did it!

Evening Activities

• Square Dance
• Night Hike
• Ice Cream Social
• Movie Night
• Pizza Party
• Campfire
• “Sumo Wrestling” Match

"Sumo Wrestling"

On the evening prior to their farewell home, we held a banquet dinner and awards ceremony in the Dining Room. The two weeks flew by, and our staff was sad to see the group depart. The trip was an unforgettable experience for these youth and we are so happy to have shared our language, culture, and mountain scenery with them.  And as always, Blue Ridge Assembly is proud to support the YMCA’s global mission!

Gracias por visitar Blue Ridge Assembly! Esperamos que todos ustedes disfrutan su tiempo aquí y que usted volverá otra vez pronto! Bendiciones para un Año Nuevo feliz y saludable.

Thank you for visiting Blue Ridge Assembly! We hope you all enjoyed your time here and that you will come back again soon! Blessings for a happy and healthy New Year.

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Trainers review safety information before the group heads up into the course

In honor of the new year, and a fresh start to the season, this week we hosted a training for Alpine Towers International. Several leaders from North Carolina Outward Bound and other local adventure organizations gathered at Blue Ridge to familiarize themselves with our Odyssey Course.

Constructed in 2005 by Alpine Towers Inc, the Odyssey Course focuses on teamwork, leadership, and physical challenge. It is the Assembly’s most popular program option, accommodating around 3000 youth and adults each year! We are so fortunate to have this course as part of our facilities.

Several leaders from the Association of Challenge Course Technology (ACCT) also swung by to observe the training. The ACCT works closely with Alpine Towers, Inc and is the international organization responsible for all challenge course standards, inspections, and certifications. The training was a great opportunity for all three organizations to collaborate and show their passion for outdoor recreation, adventure, and experiential education. Participants not only learned valuable safety and facilitation skills to bring back to their workplace, but it was also a great way for  our Program staff to network with other industry professionals (and have fun, on the clock!) As Program Coordinator, Andrew McKinney said, “Days like this really recharge my battery.”  It was a fantastic learning experience for all.

Climbing the net!

"The Matrix"

"The Complex X"

"The Lateral Limbo"

A big THANKS to Jeep Barrett, Sal Clarizio, and the rest of the Alpine Tower crew who came out for the training! It is always a pleasure working with them and we are looking forward to seeing everyone again soon.  Cheers to a wonderful (and SAFE) 2012!

Holidays on the Mountain

It is hard to believe that the holiday season has nearly come and gone already. YMCA Blue Ridge Assembly has had one of the busiest Decembers on record, keeping our year-round staff on their toes and in high spirits! This month was full of excitement, merriment, retirements and engagements….

Blue Ridge staff at the 2011 Tree Trimming Party

On the week after Thanksgiving, Blue Ridge kicked off the Christmas season with our annual Tree-Trimming Party.  Staff and their families gathered in the Blue Ridge Center lobby for homemade baked goods, warm beverages, and fire-side fellowship. We decorated a majestic 13-foot Fraser fir, which was harvested locally and provides a visual reminder of the joyful holiday season and the remarkable beauty of the Assembly.

The collection of historic black and white Archive photos used to decorate the tree each year

Ed Colley takes the honor of topping the this year's tree

This years event was particularly special, as we were serenaded with live Christmas music from talented members of our Leadership team. We also received our first SNOW of the season, which provided the perfect festive backdrop to unite everyone in the holiday spirit!

Peggy, Owen, Kurt, Steve, and Richard sing Christmas carols in the lobby

Let it Snow! Lee Hall as seen from Blue Ridge Center, November 29, 2011

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After 21 years of service, Blue Ridge Assembly’s Maintenance Director, Ed Colley, recently announced his retirement. On December 1st we hosted Ed’s Retirement Celebration, paying tribute to his excellence of character, warm personality, outstanding work ethic, and legacy to Blue Ridge.  The evening brought together Ed’s family, Blue Ridge staff, and Board members and included a Reception in the BRC Lobby, followed by a delicious banquet dinner in the Dining Room.

Ed Colley with his son, daughter, and granddaughter at the Ed's Retirement Reception.

We are eternally grateful for Ed’s dedication to Blue Ridge, both personally and professionally.  He touched hundreds of  lives as he served his community, provided for his family, and managed the Assembly’s historic buildings, and 1,200 acre grounds. Congratulations and best wishes for a happy and healthy retirement, Ed!  You will be greatly missed! Thank you for all that you have done.

Blue Ridge CEO, Kurt Eckel, and Board President, Hollis Downs, present Ed Colley with restored window framing turn-of-the-century black and white photos of the Assembly.

We are pleased to announce Ed’s successor, Philip Day, will take over as Maintenance Director. Welcome aboard, Phil!

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ChristmasFest gathers for a holiday worship in the BRC Lobby

Earlier this month we also celebrated ChristmasFest, a longtime Blue Ridge tradition which was  revived for the first time this year in over a decade.  We were excited to welcome back an “active adult” group from the Jamerson Family YMCA in Lynchburg, VA for this years event. Guests enjoyed a 3 day program that embraced the childlike wonder of Christmas and included  crafts, fireside storytelling, caroling, and mealtime entertainment. The group was  also able to experience unique local attractions such as downtown Black Mountain, the Biltmore Estate Candlelight Christmas, and Grove Park Inn’s Gingerbread House display.  And it wouldn’t be Christmas without GIFTS! Each day they were surprised with handmade ornaments, stockings, jingle bells, and other seasonal treats.  What a fantastic way for our guests and staff to get in the holiday spirit!

Santa visits the Dining Room during ChristmasFest 2011

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Lastly…

This holiday season,  already a joyous time of year, was particularly exciting for two Blue Ridge staff members who became engaged this month! We would like to congratulate our own Event Planner, Beth Snook,  and Program Coordinator Andrew McKinney on their wonderful news and the announcement of a wedding next fall. We are so happy to be a part of their engagement and are looking forward to watching this beautiful young couple share a lifetime of love and happiness together.

Congratulations to Beth and Andrew from your Blue Ridge family!

Also check out engagement photos for another couple, Lucie and Ryan, who recently became engaged at Blue Ridge Assembly! It seems that LOVE is in the (mountain) air!

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Ho! Ho! Ho!

We would like to wish all of you a happy and healthy holiday season! Warmest thoughts and best wishes as you celebrate joy, peace and goodwill with friends and family. Thank you for a wonderful year. We are looking forward to sharing 2012 with you!

LIVESTRONG at the YMCA

“LIVESTRONG at the YMCA” is a partnership between Lance Armstrong’s LIVESTRONG Foundation and the YMCA of the USA.  YMCA Blue Ridge Assembly is thankful to be part of this nationwide movement that helps cancer survivors reach their health and well-being goals.  On Saturday, September 24 we hosted a wellness retreat for a pilot group of nine local cancer survivors as part of the “LIVESTRONG at the YMCA” program. The group enjoyed a day of fun and fellowship, information and inspiration that included workshops, discussions and other activities to integrate the body, soul and spirit in pursuit of wholeness. In a non-clinical setting, participants were able to share and reflect on their personal experiences, discussing life’s hardships (and blessings) with other survivors and creating a sense of community.

LIVESTRONG notebooks, bracelets, and t-shirts for participants

In additional to spiritual encouragement in the form of prayer, meditation, and worship, several guest speakers also provided educational opportunities:  A representative of the World Laughter Tour taught the group about the physical benefits of laughter, while  a local Oncologist shared information from around the world about lifespan, health, happiness, and other themes from The Blue Zones.  Participants enjoyed crafts, stories, and songs, and even a guided nature hike where they were able to explore the Assembly’s scenic trails and the inspirational beauty of God’s creation.

Interpretive Nature Hike, led by Montreat College Outdoor Education professor

It was our goal to nourish the hearts and souls of these survivors and create the foundation for which to lead a long and happy life. We celebrate the opportunity to have been a part of this experience. Many thanks to all of the participants, local leaders, and Blue Ridge staff who helped make this day a success! We look forward to hosting more LIVESTRONG events in the future to help cancer survivors grow in mind, body and spirit.

Also coming up at YMCA Blue Ridge Assembly…

Join us on Wednesday, November 2 for a “LIVESTRONG at the YMCA” Benefit Concert!  Come out and show your support for this wonderful mission and the LIVESTRONG program at Blue Ridge Assembly.  Michael Kelly Blanchard, nationally-known contemporary Christian artist, will warm our hearts with his songs and stories. Tickets will be $10 at the door (cash or check only), and 100% of the proceeds will go to benefit cancer survivors in our local community. Find more details and RSVP here.

Michael Kelly Blanchard, performer at the YMCA Blue Ridge Assembly "LIVESTRONG FOR THE YMCA" Benefit Concert

For more information on the life-changing impact of “LIVESTRONG at the YMCA”, check out this promotional video or contact YMCA Blue Ridge Assembly Chaplain, Owen Lovejoy at olovejoy@ymcabra.org.

The Story of the Rag

New Ragger's Point at Blue Ridge Assembly

Earlier this summer, several volunteers constructed Blue Ridge’s first (known) Ragger’s Point!

Ragger’s Points, permanent fixtures at YMCA camps across the country, are sites where Rag ceremonies are conducted. They are sacred locations to Y members seeking to become better leaders and make a lifelong commitment to Christian service. The YMCA Rags Program is over 90 years old and still used today as a tool to promote youth development in mind, body, and spirit.

Blaine Wheeler and Stefan Dudziak of the Christian Values Conference were inspired to build the Ragger’s Point at Blue Ridge. They chose a secluded spot a short distance from the Blue Ridge Center and Weatherford’s gravesite, in a wooded area between the two main roads. According to the CLC, it is important for a Ragger’s Point to be in a remote setting of natural beauty, “a setting created by God, not man.”

To construct the traditional Rag emblem Blaine and Stefan gathered rocks of various sizes and colors from around Assembly grounds. The design of the Rag Society symbol incorporates 4 well-known shapes, each representing the values of the Program: the triangle (representing the YMCA triad of spirit, mind and body); the square- to signify the four-square life of a Ragger (spiritual, mental, physical and social); the circle representing the circle of friendship amongst Raggers; and the cross symbolizing the Christian faith. The central cross for Blue Ridge’s Ragger’s Point features several large pieces of magnificent white quartz.

Not only is the site beautiful and inspiring, but the new Ragger’s Point will also help us fulfill the Y mission, impact lives, and serve youth!

Thank you to Sam Adams and volunteers from the Montgomery Alabama YMCA for their priceless contribution to Blue Ridge!

Read on for a fascinating history of the YMCA Rags/Leathers Program…

Thomas Caldwell, founder of the YMCA Rags/Leathers Program

The YMCA’s Rags Program began in 1914 at a Y summer camp in what is now Camp Loma Mar in the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains of California. Thomas  Caldwell, Boys Secretary of the Oakland YMCA, was looking for a way to manage camp discipline problems using position reinforcement.   Instead of implementing the traditional Camp method that rewarded campers for athletic participation and prowess, Caldwell enjoyed the idea of awarding campers for inner strengths-  moral character, good behavior, and positive attitude.

During an evening campfire ceremony, Caldwell presented several deserving campers with simple blue bandanas. He called these awards “Rags” because, as pieces of worthless cloth, they had no value.  Instead, the Rags gained their meaning from the person wearing them. They served as symbols of the positive qualities the campers had demonstrated-  attributes such as healthy habits, promptness, cheerfulness, morals, dependability and helpfulness. That summer, several outstanding campers also received Red Rags as advanced recognition. And thus the tradition of the Rag began!

Years later, the Rag Program crossed state lines and began to spread to YMCA camps throughout the nation. Since its inception, many important Y leaders helped to strengthen and improve upon its original idea. For example, the concept of “award” evolved into to a philosophy that Rags are personal challenges - not to be given but to be accepted. It is now each individual’s decision whether or not to accept the Rag.

In addition, several more steps were added to the program so that students, young and old, have the opportunity to pursue a different challenge each year. In 1930, the YMCA’s “Leathers Program” was introduced for youth ages 9-11. Similar to a Rag, a Leather is a simple badge representing spiritual and personal growth, available to younger campers who demonstrate a commitment to Christian service.

Today the program as a whole is known as the YMCA Rags/Leather Program. Persons are eligible for membership in the YMCA Rag/Leathers Program when they reach the minimum age requirement (and of course, are willing to accept the challenges of the Rag).

All  first-year participants 11 years and younger start with the Triangle Leather, while all first-year participants 12 years and older start with the Blue Rag. Each subsequent rag or leather must be received in sequential order, and no more than one rag can be accepted in a year. Currently there are three Leather and seven Rag steps, allowing participants to seek new challenges that progressively build upon each other.

YMCA Rags & Leathers Program

Leathers’ Creed: I would strive to grow by keeping my body healthy and clean, by keeping my mind open and free, and by letting my spirit guide me. I would strive to do all three because each is equally a part of me.

The Challenges of the Leathers are:

• Triangle: To grow in Body, Mind and Spirit.
• Square:  To grow, become a better friend and to keep good friends.
• Circle: To expand one’s circle of concern to include all of Gods creation

Raggers’ Creed

I would be true, for there are those who trust me;
I would be pure for there are those who care;
I would be strong, for there is much to suffer;
I would be brave, for there is much to dare.
I would be friend, to all – the foe, the friendless;
I would be giving and forget the gift;
I would be humble for I know my weakness;
I would look up and laugh and love and lift.

The Challenges of the Rags are:

Blue: Loyalty to God, country and one’s best self.

Silver: Acceptance of or re-dedication to a Christian way of life of spiritual growth.

Brown: Christian service.

Gold: Understanding, concern and acceptance of others.

Red: Sacrifice of time, talent and personal will.

Purple: A dedication towards excellence and noble living in all  Christian service opportunities.

White: A lifetime of Christian service to youth

During a traditional YMCA Rags ceremony, participants gather in fellowship around a Ragger’s Point, often near a campfire. They will take a moment to reflect upon their own strengths and weaknesses, their goals, and the progress they’ve made. Next they will put on their Leather or Rag in order to symbolize a re-uniting with those challenges. It is deeply personal — representing a private partnership between the individual and their God.

In many Y branches, the program has expanded so that it goes beyond a formal ceremony. For example, Raggers may be paired with an older mentor to receive personalized counseling, or given study cards to review Bible passages, poems, or quotations that relate to the Rag they are seeking.

The YMCA Rags/Leathers Program is open to people of all religious faiths and is one of the most effective tools available to a YMCA leader. It is designed to help youth and adults take a closer look at themselves, their religious beliefs and the relationships with those around them. The program can be a major factor in creating an atmosphere in which positive change and self-improvement can occur. Of course, the real test is in how its members conduct themselves in the year-round programming of the YMCA, as well as in their home, school, church and community.

The Rags/Leathers Program can inspire a lifelong commitment to Christian service, as evidenced by those who ultimately seek the White Rag, the most serious and meaningful of all the Rag ceremonies

White Raggers: Blue Ridge staff, Peggy Eckel and Board member, Joe Bransby.

Tom Caldwell’s contribution remains strong and effective in the YMCA even a century later. It is estimated that since 1914, several hundred thousand youth have participated in Rag ceremonies across the country. The Ragger’s Point itself represents the YMCA mission and values- the pursuit of Christian leadership, dedicated service, and the development of mind, body and spirit. There is no doubt that the YMCA Rag/Leathers Program will continue to impact and change lives for generations to come! Join us!

For more information please visit the YMCA Christian Leadership Conference.

Another Blue Ridge Summer…

It’s hard to believe summer 2011 at Blue Ridge has already come and gone! Here’s a run down of what’s been happening on the mountain these past few months:

Staff Orientation

During the first week of June we welcomed around 40 additional staff to Blue Ridge Assembly to prepare for our busy summer season.  These college-aged men and women come from around the country, and around the world! This year over 12 different nations, including Turkey, Brazil, Jamaica, and Mexico are represented. There were many new faces, but also several returning staff to join us this year. On the first day of Orientation everyone gathered by Laurel Lake to listen to the beloved “Eureka Story”  and become acquainted with the year-round staff and department heads After a touching devotion from our Chaplain, we broke into smaller groups for some team-building activities and fun group initiatives. This was a great opportunity for staff to try out our brand new Low Ropes course!

Staff gather at Laurel Lake

"The Grand Prix"

"Lap-Sit"

The morning concluded with everyone participating in a giant Lap-sit. Here is a great video clip of what our first attempt looked like , and here is our second try… Success! Orientation activities continued throughout the week with various trainings, tours, and fun bonding activities like an indoor climbing and a cookout. Thank you to all of the new staff and our amazing team of volunteers who are going to be joining us this summer! We are so excited to have you all here in helping us serve youth and fulfill the YMCA mission.

The Blue Ridge Garden

The first-ever Blue Ridge vegetable garden has proven to be a huge success! We have been harvesting vegetables for since the beginning of July and incorporating them into many of our staff and guest meals. They are so fresh and taste amazing!  Thanks to Van Burnette for all of his hard work in making this project happen. Here is a picture of one of what the garden produces in a typical day…

YUM!

Whittington & Grist Awards

Our summer staff was wonderful this year! Two stand-outs in particular were recognized with the Grist and Whittington Awards during our end-of-summer picnic last week. Candidates, nominated by members of the conference support staff and elected by supervisory staff, demonstrated an outstanding work ethic and exemplary moral character.Returning  Conference Services staff member, Clark Devore (Florida, USA) is the 2011 winner of the Dr. Paul M. Grist Award, which honors those who demonstrate the Christian faith and loving concern for the welfare of others. Grounds staff, Guillermo Coplan (Honduras) was recognized with the 2011 Whittington Award. The Whittington Award, provided by the late Earle Whittington in memory of his son, is given annually to the staff member best exemplifying the “Blue Ridge Spirit”, as well as leadership, responsibility, and a commitment to service. Congratulations to Clark and Guillermo!

And to all of the Blue Ridge staff..new and old, near and far, THANK YOU!  Your hard work and smiling faces made this summer magical for our guests. Best of luck as you return homes to familes, friends, and school. We hope to see you back again next year!

Blue Ridge Summer Staff Award and Superlative Winners

 

Summer Conferences

Flag over Lee Hall, BRLS 2011

Our annual youth conferences are the highlight of every summer at Blue Ridge. In the past month we have hosted several camps for the  Fellowship of Christian Athletes, as well as YMCA conferences such as the Youth Conference on National Affairs, Christian Values Conference, and the always exciting, Blue Ridge Leaders’ School. The BRLS conference welcomes youth leaders from all over the nation.  This year’s theme was “Make Magic with your Leadership”, but also focused on physical education, character-building, faith, and patriotism, and featured a first-ever live internet stream of the closing ceremonies. Here is also a wonderful video of Leaders’ School 2011. It’s such an honor to be a part of these memories!

Did you visit the mountain this summer? Share your stories and photos with us! Send your Blue Ridge memories to Marketing Coordinator eratliff@ymcabra.org. We’d love to hear from you!

Romford Ambassador – Final update

Has it really already been a month? Seriously? Wow, that went by really fast. I guess it’s true that time flies when you’re having fun. It has been an awesome four weeks. I want to thank Blue Ridge Assembly for sending me to England and giving me this incredible opportunity. A just as big thank you goes out to the Romford YMCA also. Thanks so much for allowing me to come and work alongside you all. It’s been amazing to see how your YMCA is run inside and out. Every single one of you is over the top and are prime examples of why YMCA’s are successful. If they didn’t have people who believed in the mission of the Y then none of it would be possible.

This trip has taught me a lot. As someone who has a goal to be a C.E.O. of a YMCA one day, this experience has proved invaluable for the wisdom and knowledge gained.  It has given me insight about myself as well; about my future and my ideals.  Thank you everyone who was involved in the success of my journey.

Even though my trip has been hugely impactful and I am sad to leave, I’m ready to come home at the same time. I’m excited about the summer and working for BRA again. I’m pumped about another epic several weeks. Yes, it’s true that an awesome experience is behind me, but another one is just around the corner.

Goodbye England, it’s been real.

Clark Devore

Romford Ambassador – Week 3 overview

So in this past week all of the schools were out for what they call “half term.” They have a week break in the middle of their semester.  This to me is astonishing because college courses ended over a month ago and most high schools where I’m from ended last week. But because of this, the YMCA hosted a weeklong camp for children to come so their parents could go to work. My schedule was put on hold from rotating through each of the departments to being solely committed to what they call “multi-activity week.”

It was a lot of fun really. It reminded me of working summer camps at the Y in Lakeland during high school. It’s funny because all camps work the same. On day one, in the first hour, all of the kids are by themselves, not really knowing what to or who to make friends with. Of course, there are the few that know each other from school and are immediately drawn to one another. These are the groups that usually start everything. For the boys, they start a game of football (soccer) and all of the other boys join in. For the girls, it’s usually something like tag or simply just socializing. But by the second hour everyone is best friends and having a blast.

For a volunteer, it’s usually the same. You try and force yourselves into the groups, but since you are so much older, they don’t really know what to do with you. That is, until you show them your superior (only because of age and physical difference) soccer skills. Then all the boys want you to be on their team, and the girls always run after you so that you can be “it.” They seriously have an endless amount of energy.

But the best part of the day was the trip. Everyday something was planned for them to go do outside the YMCA. The best day was definitely Friday. A few of them were allowed to go to Southend-on-sea, which is exactly what it sounds like- a “beach.” Now I use the term beach lightly. Before I go on, I must remind you that I am from Florida. Therefore I am probably… no, definitely spoiled when it comes to beaches. Having some of the world’s best beaches within an hour’s drive is just as incredible as you think it is. But in order to understand what England’s beaches are like, I want you to do something for me. Pour yourself a glass of ice water and then go find the nearest gravel parking lot. When you get there, lay down and pour the glass over yourself. The following sensation is exactly what their beach is like. Okay, in all seriousness it wasn’t that bad. But their beach really was made of small rocks, and the water was extremely cold. But again, they are equal to the US-Canada border in terms of global position, so I guess it doesn’t really get that warm here.

They craziest day was easily Monday. If you’ve ever been on the New York subway system, then you’ll understand what I’m talking about. We took 21 children between the ages of 6-11 from Romford YMCA to a park in London. In order to do that we had to first get them on one of the famous double-decker busses in order to get them to the underground station. Then, shuffle them onto the subway in the time-span of 15 seconds before the doors automatically close. At first it wasn’t that hard because we were still in the outer London area and so the trains were relatively empty, but as we got closer to London more people piled on. But that wasn’t the most chaotic part, oh no, we had to switch lines in order to get where we were going… three times. As we were now in central London we had to push the children onto the train in order to get them on before the doors shut. You should have seen the looks on the faces of the already crowded train car when they realized that 21 more people are about to get on. It was humorously fantastic.

But I do say that I rather enjoyed this past week. I learned that if I can move a group of children through the London public transit system safely, I can pretty much take care of children anywhere. As I move back into the normal rotation this week I look forward to working with each department one more time. I’ve got one more week left… leh’go.

-Clark Devore

Romford Ambassador – Half way

This past weekend officially marked the halfway point for my trip here in Romford. Needless to say, it’s been a blast. I’ve had a ball tackling London with everything it has to offer. I do believe that someone could spend a month here, just simply being a tourist and not having any work commitment, and still not see everything, this place is unbelievably massive. But if you stripped away all of the glamour of a bustling foreign city, I think I’ve gained a lot of insight to myself and my future.

Being a college student with two years behind him and only two or so more to go, the term “career” is constantly thrown at me.  Especially now where in some areas a higher percentage of college grads are going home to live with their parents again than are finding jobs, is concerning. I mean sure, the statistics are improving but it still isn’t promising.

My past two posts have been about how great the YMCA is… and well, in my mind, it is. I’ve been related to the YMCA for a long time and have built quite a lengthy resume of my involvements with it. Because of this, the YMCA has always been in the back of my mind as a possible career choice. However, I do believe that this trip has moved it further “up the ladder” so to speak.

I’ve always believed in the mission of the YMCA. Sometimes it can look just like any other gym or business, but when you examine it more closely you see a whole lot more. From my experience personally, this is what the YMCA is about:

• It’s about the programs that give the youth the ability to find their voice.
• It’s about the volunteers who lead those programs because they themselves were affected by it.
• It’s about the hundreds upon hundreds of teens who take over a mountain each year only to leave radically and drastically changed for the better.
• It’s about the elderly gentleman who takes classes to make friends because his wife of 50 years passed away due to illness.
• It’s about the single mother of four who loves child care because it gives her an hour or two to take a break from chaos and give herself enough energy to get through tomorrow.
• It’s about the kids who come to summer camp each year and build friendships that carry them through some of the most difficult times of their life.

Ladies and gentlemen, I don’t mean to sound over emotional, but that list could go on for a very long time. Yes, I do believe I could work for something like that. Rather than join the grind day in and day out just so that someone above me can make more money, I could work knowing that lives are being changed all around me; not just in America, but all over the world.

I’ve got two weeks left… bring it on.

-Clark Devore

Romford Ambassador – YMCA Training

Today I was scheduled to work in housing again, just like every Wednesday. They had arranged for me to go visit a YMCA facility not too far away. It’s called YMCA Training and it’s the first I’ve ever heard of the YMCA doing something like this.

From what I understand, students here have the option to quit school at the age of 15. If they choose to do that, they can move into apprenticeships, vocational training, technical school or things of that nature. YMCA training is an organization that takes teenagers aged 16-18 and allows them to go through training, for free, for 1 of 6 work categories. I can’t remember all of them at this time, but three of them include: business administration, sports management and hair styling.  Students are given an initial assessment when they arrive and from there the trainers create for them goals and certifications for them to accomplish. They start out with basic math and english and over the course of 6 months (they said that was the average per student) they become certified in the field of their choosing. From there they can go find a job or continue on to seek higher education.

They had just moved facilities this past week which allowed them to expand from the capacity of 28 students to 45.  They can now handle more young people who want to give themselves a better start at their future. Even though this YMCA organization is completely separate from the Romford YMCA, it is just another example of how the YMCA here is crucial in benefiting the community around it. Inspiring.

-Clark Devore

Romford Ambassador – Week 1

I’m already a quarter of the way through my trip, that was one of the fastest weeks of my life. By now I’ve rotated through all of the departments. Some of them new to me, but others, I felt at home.  At the Southwood YMCA in Tallahassee I work as a front desk staff, so it didn’t take long for me to acclimate myself the front desk (they refer to it as “front of house”) here in Romford.  I also enjoyed the after school care department. I always enjoy working with kids especially here when they ask me what things are like in America. However, my favorite department is probably Housing.

On the day that I was assigned to work in there this week, there wasn’t a lot for me to do but sit around and watch. It was entirely okay because I got to survey the department workers do their job. If you didn’t know, the Romford YMCA has a housing complex where they can host 130+ people. They offer rooms to people aged 18-30.  The majority of residents are younger aged adults that have nowhere else to live. The YMCA here is a crucial part to fighting homelessness and street violence. They do this by providing rooms at minimum cost to their residents.

It’s such a neat thing to see happen. The Romford YMCA is still upholding the principles that George Williams set out to achieve in 1844. It’s a very different aspect of responsibility that the YMCA here has taken upon themselves compared to that of most the YMCA’s in America.  Now, don’t get me wrong, I think the YMCA’s in America still do a great job of meeting the needs of their community.  I’ve seen a lot of YMCA’s in America and most them don’t have residency halls. But that’s simply because where those YMCA’s are located, the needs of the community are elsewhere.

But as I watched the residents come into the office I noticed how the workers and them interacted. Their relationship had a friend/mentor attitude to it. The residents would come seeking help about job interviews or questions about how to do things that typically parents would take care of. The residents that came into the office during that short three hour window probably came from homes that were abusive or neglectful (I say that out of sheer assumption and mean no disrespect to situations that do not fall under that category). However, here, at the YMCA, they were someone special. They had recognition, they had a name, and they had people looking out for them. It was truly inspiring to see what George Williams set out to create so many years ago, lived out in a tremendous way right before my eyes. I left the office that day thinking that if I were to work at the Romford YMCA, I would know exactly which department to be a part of.

-Clark Devore