“It's Fun to Stay at the Y-M-C-A!”
By: Ccep J. Dew
dews_ccep@yahoo.com

“America's YMCAs commit to extend our charitable heritage by directly engaging 25 million children and adults from all segments of our communities in achieving health of spirit, mind and body by 2012.”

When you think of community, you should think of the YMCA. Since 1844, the YMCA has been committed to offering services to better the community. The YMCA of San Diego County Youth and Family Services’ (YFS) School Outreach Services (SOS) branch is responsible for providing before and after school enrichment for students. Aside from tutoring and on-site clubs, the “6 to 6 Program” allows students to take trips to such places as the local ice-skating rink and park.

Since 1844, the YMCA has been committed to offering services to better the community.

One Wednesday, my site supervisor and I took a bus filled with middle school students to the San Diego Zoo. Once there, we traveled around the establishment commenting on all the animals until we came to the hyenas, meerkats, and warthogs. From that point on the rest of the walk was filled with songs from Disney’s The Lion King movie, specifically Lion King 1 ½’s catchy meerkat tune, “Dig a tunnel. Dig, dig a tunnel…quick before the hyenas come!” I think I had more fun than the children.

The students really enjoyed a show where a little boy from the audience interacted with a seal, but I loved seeing the albino python and the peacocks that roamed around free of cares. It was a different experience from doing studies and being confined to the school campus and the students were happy for the change of scenery.

On Saturday, February 9th, SOS held a Cultural Fair at its Meade location. The day was filled with entertainment, food, and fun.

The YMCA of San Diego County Youth and Family Services’ (YFS) School Outreach Services (SOS) branch is responsible for providing before and after school enrichment for students.

The event kicked off with myself and about four other staff members standing on the corner of Meade Avenue and 30th Street under the surprisingly scorching San Diego sun. We had signs, balloons, noisemakers, sombreros, and a whistle all to promote and attract guests to the fair. An entire hour and a half consisted of jumping around, dancing, and shouting. One staff member went so far as to do a cartwheel in the street while others drove around honking their horns. A few people offered donations which we gratefully accepted and others took their children inside to see what we had to offer.

The room was outlined with tables displaying dishes from around the world. At the front of the room was a stage where student’s paintings were placed. After watching a Panamanian dancing duo, a Filipino dancing troupe, and our own middle school hip-hoppers perform, we were able to bid on the artwork. What an exciting time that was!

I had my eye on a painting of a tree whose leaves were hands of different colors. When I voiced my desire to a co-worker my supervisor’s supervisor informed me that she had $50 on that painting, so I might as well give up. I did and instead purchased another painting for $26. The bidding for the tree painting rose well past $50, so I’m glad I have my peace sign. Either way all the money made at the fair goes towards YMCA programs.

I’m not much of a cultural food eater, but I did enjoy some Italian pasta. Before the event ended I bought a wooden snake for my husband that was hand painted by children in the after-school program. There were so many to choose from, but finally I settled on a blue and silver one. In the end, the event raised money and gave families a new experience.

Being a part of the YMCA is an experience I will never forget. More than all the trips and events, I will remember the smiles of the children.

Sources:
http://www.ymca.net/