March 29, 2008 — "He's got you and me, sister, in his hands," rang out over Sugar Estate Saturday afternoon as a flock of Christian women, young and old, celebrated the opening of the V. I. Young Women's Christian Association.
"He's got everybody here in his hands," sang Rev. Lenroy Cabey of St. Andrews Episcopal Church, as he presided with his wife, Donnalie Cabey, in the blessing of the organization's new home, the Jubilee Center, at 39 1st Ave.
The territory is now a part of the 150-year old organization, which has an international membership of 25 million women and girls. The local group is the culmination of almost two year's work by YWCA president Cabey, her board and volunteers.
Rosalie Fawkes, general secretary of the Bahamas YWCA came to help the new group in two training sessions Friday and Saturday. "I grew up in the YWCA," said Fawkes."My parents, Lady Jacqueline Fawkes and Sir Randol Fawkes, were in the association. My father handled legal matters in the 1940's."
Fawkes and Cabey met last year in Africa when the fledgling V.I. group joined representatives from more than 100 affiliated member associations around the world at the 26th World YWCA Council and International Women's Summit on HIV/AIDS in Nairobi, Kenya. (See "Not for Profit: YWCA of the Virgin Islands.")
Fawkes, speaking later, said, "I shared the knowledge, the challenges, the strategies I've learned over almost a lifetime. I'm about the only staff member in the Bahamas; it's about 99 percent volunteers."
She said one of the challenges she faced was the perennial issue of not-for-profits – raising money. "We got tired of fund-raising events," she said. "Every time we had an electric bill, it was another cake sale. We needed to create income. We had four acres of property, so we began an affordable housing project, and paid off our mortgages in no time, and now we are expanding.
"You have to be passionate," she said. "Jesus used strategies, and so did we."
The St. Thomas headquarters has no such luxury. "Right now," said Cabey, "what we have is a wish list." However, she said the tiny administrative office already has a donated computer, printer and fax, "and we have gotten some furniture, too," Cabey said.
Wishes include a second computer for the Y-Teens, a big area mat for the Kidz Club, web hosting, and, most importantly, a permanent home for a training facility with a recreation area, a pool and a gym.
Well, after all, it is a wish list.
The young group has already established two programs — Y-Teens, which meets twice a month, and a Bilingual Kidz Club, with Spanish and English instructors. It also meets twice a month for children five to 10 years. "The club is for youngsters to get to know one another, speak each others' language," Cabey said. "It's a way to come together when they are still young. We need to change patterns of behavior."
Cabey said the youngsters will learn local customs, music, dance, storytelling. "It's a pilot program,"she said. "We won't take more than 20 kids, and we'll see how it proceeds."
Michelle Campbell, a Charlotte Amalie High School 10th-grader and charter Y-Teen member, was busy handing out brochures. "We will be learning skills, but it's also a way to bond with each other," she said. "That's important."
The group now numbers 14, Campbell said. "Next, we are learning jewelry." Ivanne Farr of Rare Earth Studio has volunteered to teach the class.
Cabey said it's $5 for an annual membership. "It's not just for young people," she emphasized. "All women are welcome." The organization can be reached at 776-1592 or Cabey's cell 626-9804.
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