When the hurricanes of 2004 blew through Grand Bahama, it left behind a sea of destruction.
Very few buildings and homes were left unscathed.
When Karon Johnson, who was the Assistant Director at the YMCA,
along with then Executive Director, Terry Goldsmith went to look at the
damages at the YMCA, only one question came up "what will happen to the
YMCA from here?"
Five years later, what was a question of doubt and uncertainty has
been turned around to one of possibilities - where will the YMCA go to
next from here?
Both Goldsmith and Johnson wondered if the YMCA would rebound from
such extensive damages. It was a long road, but as this new year rolled
in, Johnson, who is now the Executive Director of the YMCA, says that
2009 was more like a cap on what was a long road to the restoration of
the YMCA and its programs.
"We've come a long way since the storms of 2004," said Johnson, during an interview with The Freeport News.
"Last year we accomplished a lot, thanks to the community of Grand
Bahama. Together we were able to bring back all of the major programs
here at the YMCA and now, with this new year, we're looking forward to
taking the 'Y' to the next level and beyond."
The restoration of the YMCA began officially in 2006, considering in
2005, another series of hurricanes blew through Grand Bahama, delaying
whatever restoration efforts were set to take place.
From 2006 to last year, the process of restoration was a slow one
for the Board of Directors of the YMCA, but it was met with commitment
and a determination to bring back an institution that was a big part of
the community.
"The Board of Directors got together and determined that the YMCA
was a focal point in this community and so we wanted to do what it took
to ensure that it was restored.
"We were not sure of just how much we could restore, but we knew
that we had to try. The Board of Directors, the workers here at the
YMCA, sponsors, donors and the community all helped in that effort.
"Today, I can say that the YMCA's programs are about 100 percent
restored. Now, we look forward to improving the overall facility and
making the YMCA a self-sufficient entity. It's a tall order in some
respect, but I believe that with the continued support of the
community, we can do that."
Johnson noted that as the YMCA looks forward to what this year will
bring, one of their goals will be to establish more fund-raising
activities.
To prove that it's not merely an idea, Johnson confirmed that their
first fund-raising event will take place on the 31st of this month,
which will be their annual Steak-Out and Fun Day.
The event will take place on the grounds of the YMCA, beginning at Noon.
"This is an annual event, but instead of just having a steak-out,
what we wanted to do this year was make it a Fun Day, so that parents
can bring their kids out and enjoy some of the activities we will have
to offer," said Johnson.
"We would like to have the support of the community in this, because
we know that the YMCA really belongs to the community. Without their
support we would not have gotten to where we are today. So, we invite
the Grand Bahama public to come out and be a part of this fund-raising
event."
The Steak-Out and Fun Day will begin what is expected to be the
start of a fund-raising calendar, beginning this year and beyond.
Johnson said that a number of programs and events are on tap for
this year which will all be designed to take the YMCA beyond its
present point. She sees this year as an opportunity to begin that
"beyond" phase of the YMCA.
"I'm excited about this year and about the possibilities that lie ahead," said Johnson.
"Not only do we want to improve the facilities and the programs here
at the 'Y', but we also will be implementing training programs that
will be designed to help our staff members improve their education and
improve the way they perform their duties."
