By Chelsea Royer
Caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility – these are the four core values of the YMCA of Grays Harbor that the Y hopes to instill in every child who comes through their doors. Unfortunately, these values are not attained overnight. It takes positive mentors, parents, and teachers to model these values.
This summer, the YMCA of Grays Harbor partnered with the City of Aberdeen in an effort to reach the children most likely to benefit from positive adult influences. Twice a week, Tanya Bowers-Anderson and her Y colleagues meet at a park in Aberdeen with craft projects, basketballs, activities, and lunch. Anderson explains, “This is my passion – kids. It’s neat that kids can be offered a free program – all kids can participate. It’s been a mixture of all types of families and our mission is that kids are taken care of in the summer. Making sure they eat lunch, they have activities, and are around positive role models. I do believe it takes a village to raise a child…and it’s pretty darn cool.”
Because the “Park and Play” program is open for children of all ages, Anderson has been actively recruiting teenagers for mentoring roles. These teens are taught to interact positively with children, demonstrate appropriate speech, and apply leadership skills. There are a few hoping to continue on with the Y as mentors for junior high school leadership programs or in a paid position.
According to Anderson, there have been many encouraging results, the most pronounced of which have been kids developing positive language skills and learning to value the park in which they play.
Though the park has formerly suffered from vandalism and litter, the local kids now take pride in their playground. One of the values Anderson has focused on teaching is taking pride in what you own or are responsible for. “I hope they carry away the four core values of the Y,” explains Anderson. “I tell the kids that if they can live by those values, they will be successful. That they carry away the sense that they belong and that they feel positive about themselves, regardless of what they have.”
Yet Park and Play isn’t just about work. Anderson truly loves her job. “I look forward to coming because I get to see all of my friends. They think I’m crazy!” she laughed. Of everything Anderson and the Y are trying to teach, perhaps the most important is showing kids how to have fun!
Children are asked to turn over or leave behind any electronic device they bring to the playfield. As a result, kids are learning a variety of new games and developing relationships. With a smile on his face, a boy named Mark explained to me, “Today is my birthday! What I like about the Park and Play is the basketball court and that there’s a big ol’ field to play soccer, football, and capture the flag. I like that game because it’s challenging – you have to chase people. There’s so much more to do here than when you are at home by yourself. And then more people come and you learn more games to play.”
Mark’s favorite school subject is PE, but he says being active just isn’t as much fun when you are by yourself. At the park, he has met new friends he hopes to keep long after the program has ended. Together, they play a variety of games and on this day, made a point to group-tackle Noah during football. Noah has been learning leadership skills and discovered how much he enjoys working with kids. He hopes to get a job at the Y and Anderson is busy recruiting him for mentoring with the jr. high sports teams.
Pizza was being served as I left the park and more exciting to the kids than even the pizza was the birthday party that would take place afterward. The group had put together a pinata earlier in the week to help celebrate all the August birthdays. The kids were ecstatic! Perhaps the most powerful result of this program is not so much the leadership skills or values that are being taught, but that kids feel cared about. In a busy world full of electronics and lost relationships, Anderson and those like her are teaching children they are cared about. For two afternoons a week, the world slows down and kids are allowed to be kids. They have an adult to talk to, friends to bond with, and new activities to learn and develop creativity. These are gifts that will last well beyond childhood and be the making of healthy adults in the future.
