Building Community with the Puerto Rico Coalition

Locally and globally, the Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA believes in Building Community wherever needed. As members of the Puerto Rico Coalition of YMCAs since the group’s inception in 2019, we have been supporting the YMCAs of San Juan and Ponce with staff training, scholarships and post-hurricane disaster relief efforts.

“The Coalition connects the San Juan and Ponce YMCA with the YMCA movement on the mainland and provides YMCA staff opportunities to connect and share resources to support their communities better as well as global equity among all. The Tampa YMCA along with other Florida YMCAs understands hurricane preparedness and disaster relief more than many other YMCAs around the country.  We have the experience to assist and are fortunate to have the resources to help,” explains Anne Jeffrey (pictured above, front row, second from right), Operations Director, South Tampa and Bob Gilbertson Family YMCAs. 

Anne recently accompanied colleagues from the YMCAs of Montclair, Central Massachusetts, Greater Somerset County as well as Newark and Vicinity to the YMCAs of San Juan and Ponce. The January 27th to 31st trip saw members share insights about the importance of Summer Camp for youth and teens and the continued development of children in Puerto Rico over the summer months.

“The San Juan and Ponce YMCA requested assistance in the areas of Summer Camp planning, teen leadership strategies, HR Development and volunteerism training. The Coalition members and the Puerto Rico Strong Campaign were happy to assist with the support and guidance from YUSA,” explains Anne, who has been with the Tampa Y for six years. 
The field visit saw Coalition members paint classrooms for Summer Camp and preschool use in San Juan. 

“The community built while painting alongside the YMCA of San Juan staff went above bridging language and cultural barriers to truly appreciating and valuing the uniqueness of each YMCA staff member and the dedication that brings us together in understanding!  We also traveled to El Yunque National Forest in Puerto Rico (the only US National Forest that is also a rainforest) and met with the YMCA Women's Workforce Readiness program. This program gives women the tools necessary to enter a career in the trades.  It was incredible to witness and learn from this initiative and bring ideas back to the Tampa YMCA!”

Please consider supporting the work of the YMCAs of Ponce and San Juan through the YMCA World Service Campaign: Puerto Rico Strong | YMCA of the USA.