Community Strengthening
Stories from the Community
Providing Brighter Futures
Sunday, 29th May 2011
Four factors that are consistent in building resilience in our youth are connectedness, achievement, empowerment and generosity.
In early 2010, YMCA Hawkesbury Oasis approached the Salvation Army to offer them use of their services and facilities. As a result, 12 young individuals from dysfunctional families that were under the care of Salvation Army attended the facility together, taking part in customised group fitness classes.
The service was delivered with 95% fee assistance from the YMCA, where by the children participated at no cost with the Salvation Army paying a nominal amount.
“This at first began as a serious challenge as the kids attitudes toward the program varied from unresponsive to over-excited making it difficult to get much cooperation throughout the sessions.
However with enjoyable activities such as pump classes, boxing sessions, exercise circuits and behaviour awards including 'free swim', the kids gradually came to respect all the trainers involved and really enjoy the sessions. This was shown by the children as they began to work together as a team and look forward to the planned activities on a Thursday. All the trainers involved enjoyed the program and felt it was an extremely rewarding experience.”
Sean Ryan, Hawkesbury Oasis Team Leader
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