Lunch time meeting - Speaker Mary Goodwin Wilks from Glenrothes YMCA

On Thursday 11th August 2022 after a summer break during July President Brian Johnson, welcomed 15 club Rotarians also Mary Goodwin Wilks and guest Linda Ballingall (former member) to this our lunch time meeting held at the Gilvenbank Hotel.

Prior to the meal President Brian advised of the following events. On Thursday evening 25th August we will be having a fundraiser quiz night to which all are invited costing £10 per person includes sandwiches, Sausage rolls, teas, or coffee.

On Wednesday the 31st of August and Friday 2nd Sept, Two visits to Lochgelly Big Hoose project. The Cottage Family Centre have signed an agreement with Amazon UK and other companies which will see multi million pounds worth of household goods be distributed to children and families living in poverty across Fife. Our Fundraising Vintage afternoon tea has been organised for the Sunday 23rd October to which all are invited, a great afternoon of music. At the end of November, we are looking to have our annual Scots night.

Chantal Mrimi mentioned the potential for the walking trail project in the Lomonds.

Our speaker this week was Mary Goodwin Wilks who is CEO for the Glenrothes YMCA otherwise known as the ‘Y’ which has been providing learning and leisure opportunities for over 60 years. Mary has been with the “Y” for 18 years Offering a friendly and welcoming central community space, the ‘Y’ has grown to be one of the largest voluntary organisations spread over three sites in the town. All three sites deliver community opportunities and two also provide supported homeless accommodation. The charity is supported by many volunteers with around 20 people giving regular and consistent service. YMCA Glenrothes is an independent local charity which is governed by local volunteers from Fife and affiliated to the worldwide YMCA movement. The charity works with many other organisations in Fife as well as YMCAs in Scotland. She spoke about the origins of the YMCA which was formed by George Williams on 6th June 1844. In 1844, industrialized London was a place of great turmoil and despair. For the young men who migrated to the city from rural areas to find jobs, London offered a bleak landscape of tenement housing and dangerous influences.

Twenty-two-year-old George Williams, a farmer-turned-department store worker, was troubled by what he saw. He joined 11 friends to organize the first Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA), a refuge for young men seeking escape from the hazards of life on the streets. The organization’s drive to meet social need in the community was compelling, and its openness to members crossed the rigid lines separating English social classes.

Years later, retired Boston Sea captain Thomas Valentine Sullivan, working as a marine missionary, noticed a similar need to create a safe “home away from home” for sailors and merchants. Inspired by the stories of the Y in England, he led the formation of the first U.S. YMCA at the Old South Church in Boston on December 29, 1851. The YMCA is a worldwide organisation operating in over 120 countries supporting 45 million people. Each YMCA has the freedom to use the funds they obtain as they see fit for their community.

Next week 18th August will be a lunch time meeting at Gilvenbank Hotel meeting at 12.45pm and commencing at 1pm where Rose Duncan of the Brighter Futures Group and Bernadette (Berni) Brown, Pharmacist from Cadham shopping centre will be speaking.

If you were interested in supporting the community and international projects get in touch by Private message on The Rotary Club of Glenrothes Facebook page. You will be made most welcome.