Our Speaker, Patricia Pelton

 

 

 

Lorne Larson introduced Patricia Pelton, President of the World Alliance of YMCAs. Ms. Pelton's presentation provided an overview of the YMCA that highlighted the synergies between the YMCA and Rotary and concluded with an overview of the World YMCA strategy.

 

She began her presentation by contrasting the YMCA with Rotary International. She noted that Sir George Williams founded the YMCA in London in 1844, and today the YMCA operates in 120 countries. (By way of comparison, Rotary has grown from its 1905 origin in Chicago to 200 countries.) She went on to describe the YMCA vision as empowering young people to transform their world for the better. It works to realize this vision by providing safe, inclusive spaces for young people to take active roles in their communities in the areas of health, employment, environment and civic engagement. She wrapped up her overview of the World Alliances of YMCAs by noting that the YMCA is one of the very few non-governmental organizations involved in all seventeen of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

 

Turning her attention to the synergies between the YMCA and Rotary, Ms. Pelton noted the parallels between the two organizations and how closely our values align. She described several joint projects currently underway. In Kenya, Rotary has funded computers and furniture and has built four classrooms for a YMCA youth project. Rotary and YMCA are developing a plan to establish peace clubs in Senegalese high schools. Additionally, Rotary has provided funding for YMCA automobiles in Ethiopia.

 

In Canada, the YMCA operates several camps owned by Rotary, including those in Kingston and Owen Sound, Ontario.