YMCA Healthy Living Magazine, powered by n4 food and health Spring 2018 | Page 15
YMCA
EVOLVE
YMCA Evolve is an innovative program supporting young
people during a critical time in their lives.
or many young people, the transition from primary
school to high school can be a difficult one. Not only
does it usually involve going to a different school and
having to make new friends, it also often coincides with many
physical and emotional changes.
F
To ease this transition and help prepare them for the changes
ahead, the YMCA Youth Services team has developed a
leadership and personal development program for Year 6
students, called YMCA Evolve.
YMCA Evolve works in conjunction with the Victorian
curriculum, to help primary school students aged between 11
and 12 years, develop the skills, self-awareness and
connections they need to grow into young people with
resilience, good mental wellbeing, and confidence to express
their voice.
Over the last 12 months, YMCA Evolve has been brought to 25
schools across Victoria, with positive results.
For Jim Pumpa, a year 5/6 teacher at Wantirna South Primary
school, he can see the difference the program has made in his
classroom.
‘It really helped students in their preparation for high school, in
the way it’s broken down the social groups we have within our
grade 6 contingent and got them working outside of their
comfort zone, and challenging them to work with other
groups,’ he said.
Ian Boorman, Manager of YMCA Youth Services is thrilled with
the initial outcomes, with participants reporting an increased
connection with their fellow classmates as well as an
improvement in their confidence, communication and teamwork.
‘The feedback we’ve received from teachers and students is
the program is having such an impact. We want to share it with
all Victorian students – not just ones living in metropolitan
areas,’ he said.
One student remarked after a session, ‘I feel like we learnt
something new and I feel like in the week that we haven’t been
with you guys, I’ve used some of the skills you taught.’
YMCA Evolve is delivered using money from YMCA Open
Doors. This year, the program will also be funded using money
raised from the YMCA’s annual Father’s Day Fun Run, which
will enable the program to be delivered to another 1,000 young
people throughout Victoria.
To find out more about YMCA Evolve, go to
www.vicyouth.ymca.org.au
SPRING 2018 YMCA HEALTHY LIVING MAGAZINE
15