ENSURING BRIGHTER FUTURES FOR CARIBBEAN CHILDREN AND YOUTH YMCA AFTERSCHOOL ENHANCEMENT PROGRAMME
YMCA and CIBC FirstCaribbean International ComTrust Foundation believe in the inďŹ nite potential of children and youth and have partnered to support the success and well-being of Caribbean children and youth in Aruba, the Bahamas, Barbados, the Cayman Islands, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago. In January, YMCAs started a new Afterschool term with the goal of promoting the well-being within schools and community by enriching and empowering 2,000 students in 16 programme sites. YMCAs are providing academic support and tutoring, values-based education, leadership and life skills, arts, sports, and swimming to build on the interests and strengths of the participants. With CIBC FirstCaribbean International Bank support, YMCAs have expanded access for disadvantaged children and youth, mostly girls and teens, and incorporated innovative components and activities to their programs to develop XXI century skills and prepare our kids for the future. In addition, CIBC FirstCaribbean International Bank funds are assisting YMCAs to enhance systems to track individual progress and measure outcomes; an ongoing effort to ensure program quality and impact. Below we provide a summary of key highlights and results.
BARBADOS Launched a new YMCA Afterschool program in January 2019 for children between the ages of 7 to 12 years old. The program offers tutoring and academic support, sports, dancing, and leadership. Activities are led by University students, tutors, and YMCA staff.
ARUBA As part of the YMCA afterschool activities, YMCA Aruba is organizing a one-week long Y Coding Camp during the April school break for 60 youth between the ages of 12 to 17 years old. The Y Coding Camp will introduce teens to programming and empower them to learn and create with technology in a dynamic and fun way. CIBIC FirstCaribbean International Bank employees will engage as volunteers during the week-long camp preparing our teens for the digital economy.
GRAND BAHAMA in addition to tutoring, sports, swimming, and outdoor activities, the YMCA of Grand Bahama Afterschool programs introduced online tutoring for math, ELA, science, and social studies improving students’ achievement and better track growth outcomes. The YMCA also launched an Intro to Computer Science to learn core concepts in computer science, develop coding practices, and increase problem-solving.
JAMAICA The YMCA of Jamaica Afterschool programme completed one and a half terms of activities including sports, cultural arts, literacy via computer and chalk and talk, monthly parent training and family counselling for children at risk for violence. Children also participated in Christmas concerts in the Kingston and Boy’s Town centres, as well as sports competitions (a-side football, boxing, karate, and swimming). Improved programmed delivery and consistent attendance of children compare to similar periods since the inception of the programme demonstrate on target results.
CAYMAN ISLANDS The YMCA Afterschool programme continues to enrich literacy and numeracy at the primary level, and leadership development and experiential learning through the Ropes Challenges Course at the high school level. During the report period, the YMCA gathered national school resources for standardized year-level tests and implemented a programme-wide testing to clearly identify areas of need in literacy and numeracy and enhance curriculum, supplies, homework support, and academic builders. 617 participants were tested. The YMCA engaged teens in High Ropes to develop goal setting, group communication, team-building, confidence, problem-solving, trust, among others. At the time of this update, the programme was in its fifth fifth week of the curriculum. In the future, primary schools students gearing up to transition to high school will also benefit.
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO The YMCA continues to provide academic support, social skills development, and swimming and water safety for children and youth from vulnerable communities participating in the YMCA Afterschool programme. The YMCA Afterschool curriculum empowers youth through English, math, principles of accounts, communication studies, information technology, and leadership development. YMCAs will continue to enhance the afterschool experience of children, youth, and teens, while planning volunteer service activities with CIBC FCIB employees in each country. YMCA and CIBC FCIB ComTrust Foundation help reduce inequality and disparities in education and health by promoting the development and well-being of thousands of children and youth in the Caribbean.
Latin American and Caribbean Alliance of YMCAs Av. Ejército Nacional 253 1er Piso Colonia Anáhuac, Delegación Miguel Hidalgo C.P. 11320 México, D.F. info@lacaymca.org www.lacaymca.org