YWCA to expand youth, community empowerment programmes

The Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA) is set to expand its programmes with a greater focus on holistic youth and community empowerment as part of a wider effort to revitalise the organisation.

Newly elected president Onika Crawford outlined the broader vision ahead of the proposed rollout of several initiatives over the next two months.

Under the new direction, she said the YWCA’s work will be structured around three pillars: Y Youth, Y Cares and Y Grows, targeting youth development, community outreach, and skills and personal development.

“One of the things that we, since our new board has been installed, are building is a more wholesome individual from children all the way up to adults,” Crawford said, noting that Y Youth initiatives include skills and mindset development in addition to its existing summer camps and reading programme. 

“Y Cares will centre on community service, including the organisation’s breakfast programme for children, care packages and community development. Y Grows will focus on developing practical and personal skills, including agriculture, sewing, basket making and floral arranging,” she added. 

Crawford said the organisation was rebuilding after activity declined following the COVID-19 pandemic and is calling for new volunteers and sponsorship support.

“Anything that you believe can add value to what we’re trying to build,” she added.

While plans are still being developed, Crawford said she expects the majority of the initiatives discussed to get off the ground “within the next month to the next two months”.

The YWCA of Barbados was established in 1950 and is affiliated with World YWCA, an international movement working to empower women and girls across more than 100 countries.

(LM)