By Ferdinand R. Castillo
YMCA of RINALI
Embarking into strengthening its capacity as a service providing organization, the YMCA of the Philippines conducted the Career Development Program to continue providing trainings based on new experiences and innovative practices to young professionals wanting to pursue a career in the YMCA.
Participated by five selected local YMCA staff from the Philippines: Ferdinand R. Castillo (YMCA RINALI), Jayson Noga (YMCA of Albay), Isabel Parada (YMCA Manila), Belenda Versoza (YMCA Manila) and Anshereen Gail Inocencio (YMCA Manila) the training commenced last October 2-16, 2022, virtually.
After the re-definition of the YMCA Mission in response to changing social realities over the years, mindful of the changes and challenges to leadership development and the practice of leadership in strengthening the movement, the Career Development Program primarily focused on the formation of YMCA professional leaders for the strengthening and growth of the various movements in the country including Mission Clarity, Social Relevance and Institutional Viability.
The 15- day intensive training provided various platforms for the participants to discover the roles and responsibilities of YMCA professionals especially in the re- affirmation of the YMCA as a people’s movement committed to working for justice and peace, according to the life and teachings of Jesus Christ.

Diligently, the participants were engaged to meaningful discussions from the Contemporary Christian Theology that has blown their minds into the hermeneutical circle as Dr. Oscar Ferrer expounded on the Biblical faith interacting with current challenges. Rev. Robert Sison led the participants into the understanding of ecumenism and ecumenical movements boiling down to the mission that all maybe one. The participants explored the practice of participatory ecumenical worship in an attempt to bring about an appreciation of participatory contemporary worship approaches and creative liturgies reflective of the diverse cultures, social expressions, experiences of the lives and struggles of the people and their spirituality. Bishop Leocito Gabo together with the participants explored the community and social movements to envision a new alternative and relevant responses. In this connection, the theory and practice of social movement were presented and including the idea of community organizing as it applies to the YMCA. Concrete examples were studied on processes that can transform life and society by participating in social movements.



Furthermore, the participants were transported to the YMCA’s humble beginnings as Mr. Pablito Tabucol developed an understanding of the origin, historical development and current trends of the YMCA as an Ecumenical Movement among the participants. Understanding YMCA structure as membership and community-based NGO, Mr. Orlando Carreon developed among the participants an understanding of constituencies and structures of the YMCA as a way of realizing the mission of the YMCA.
In translating the YMCA’s mission and vision into reality through its programs, Ms. Ianne Christine Aquino offered the participants an understanding of the meaning and significance of YMCA Programs including the concept and methodology for contextual program responses to social issues through the Quadrennial Program Plan. Highlighting the output expected from the participants at the end of the training, they were engaged in planning and writing of their entry plans that reflect their understanding of the overall thrust of the Association and plans of work that they can implement upon return to their respective YMCAs.
Sunita Suna presented the Quadrennial Program Plan 2020-2030 that calls the YMCAs to align the programs to Vision 2030: Community Wellbeing, Meaningful Work, A Sustainable Planet and A Just World.




The contextual response plans prepared by the participants were presented to the panel of reviewers. The finalized plan based on the comments and suggestions made at the session were submitted to the respective YMCAs and expected to be implemented by the participants in their respective local.


Towards the end of the training, the participants were empowered to become YMCA professional staff equipped with knowledge, methodologies and management skills for planning and implementation of programs relevant to the needs of the community they serve.
Satisfactorily completing the training with compliance to all the requirements set by the YMCA of the Philippines, the five participants of the YMCA Philippines 2022 Career Development Program, Professional Secretaries Course were confirmed graduates.


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