2010년 4월 29일 목요일

Mr. Y questions, "What is CMS?"

Mr. Y casually glances at YWCA’s brochure and sees the acronym, “CMS”. Like most people, he wonders what it stands for and goes to his computer to Naver’s homepage. He performs a quick search for “Seoul’s YWCA” and clicks on the link for the organization’s homepage: http://www.seoulywca.or.kr.

It turns out that CMA is a way to donate, and he peruses the step-by-step directions:
1. Set aside an amount of money.
2. Apply for a monthly donation to the Seoul Branch of the Social Welfare Foundation of the National YWCA of Korea.
3. Sit back as the donated funds goes to people in financial difficulty through automatic transfer by the Korea Financial Telecommunications and Clearings Institute.

But wait! He thinks to himself and questions how his hard earned money will be spent. Even though he is familiar with the organization, how will they use his money? His fingers clumsily look for the digits of YWCA’s number on the touch screen of his mobile and finally he manages to dial 02-3705-6041, the number for the Seoul Branch of the Social Welfare Foundation in National YWCA of Korea.

The line rings. A friendly representative answers the phone.
The following is a transcript of the conversation between him and the rep.

Seoul YWCA rep: Good morning! Seoul YWCA, how may I help you?

Mr. Y: Hello, I was wondering if you could give me some more information about CMA and where the money will be spent. I would like to donate, but I’d first like to know where my money is going.

Seoul YWCA rep: Sure thing sir. If you don’t mind may I ask who I’m speaking with?

Mr. Y: This is Mr. Y.

Seoul YWCA rep: Well Mr. Y, the Seoul YWCA has been using CMS funds for the following programs: 'Women's rights', 'Children and Youth', and the 'Environment'. We also help and support poor countries with the CMS fund; for example, to improve the living and studying environments of Cambodian orphans, to give sponsorships to Cambodian orphans, and to support the education of Burmese refugee women. In addition, your donation goes to various volunteer groups such as emergency aid volunteers, overseas youth volunteers, culture volunteers, and aged women volunteers.

Mr. Y: So, it sounds like my donations mostly support people outside of Korea?

Seoul YWCA rep: Actually, that is just a small part of where the CMS funds go, please allow me to explain how they will be used domestically. Your donation will be used both nationally and internationally. Seoul YWCA is composed of a headquarters and six outreach centers. The funds also support feeding children who may not have enough food, the elderly who live alone, low income single parent families, the handicapped, soup kitchens and food delivery services for the elderly, and multicultural families. Moreover, you can help a shelter called 'Nooribom' where women who suffer from domestic violence have nowhere to go turn to. You may be familiar with You, Ji-tae, an actor who has shown continued support for this cause. You can also sponsor scholarships for teenagers in low income families.

Mr. Y: How do I know whether my donation is being used well or not?

Seoul YWCA rep: The Social Welfare Foundation for the National YWCA of Korea has been audited by Certified Public Accountants and the district office. You can check a breakdown of Seoul YWCA's CMS use in both our homepage and our monthly magazine. An added benefit is that your donation is tax deductible.
Mr. Y: Hmmm…okay thanks for answering the questions I have for now, I will call back with any further ones.

Seoul YWCA rep: Sure thing sir, please don’t hesitate to call us.

After the conversation, Mr. Y thought of a million other ways he could use the money. To him, donating was reserved for those who could afford the luxuries of life, not for a salaryman like him. The answers from the phone call may not have convinced him. He is still not sure to this day, but it may have been the countless people he pictured assisting from a small generous gesture. Hesitant at first, he makes a monthly donation and each successive month is easier and easier as the joy of helping others grows inside of him with each payment. Now when he rushes up the steps from the subway he doesn’t ignore the homeless person, but wonders if just maybe his small payment fed that person or gave him a warm bed for one night. No longer is the annoying “ahjooma’s” push felt in front of entrance 2-2, but the warm rush in his heart reminding him just how frail humanity is and that he is making difference.

[April's News] New Start Project: Finding yourself by getting the right job

Sungdong Youth Center’s “New Start Project” started with 80 teenagers. A job consulting program for those between 15 to 29 years old having trouble finding employment, it offers one-on-one employment counseling so that one can determine his/her vocation and eventually get a job in that field.

Meet Keon-ah Kim, a 24 year old young man at his fourth counseling session. The results of the assessment are in: “According to result of the MBTI* assessment, Kim is an ENTP (extrovertive, intuitive, thinker, and perceiver). This implies that he would excel as an artist or an inventor. He can truly excel in either of these fields when he lands the right job through this program.” reported his counselor. Like most in the program, Keon-ah is surprised at the results as he discovers new things about himself.

Now that we know Keon-ah’s aptitude, both he and his counselor can begin the search for the right job. Dozens of cards with job descriptions are placed in front of him, and he meticulously picks fourteen of them. It may seem that fourteen is too many, but Keon-ah took great care and effort to select each of the cards by reading the jobs described on them. The time invested is well spent for it is his future. He then investigates each of the fourteen and narrows his search down to five jobs: an interior designer a landscape architect, an appraiser, a floriculturist, and a hairstylist

He is familiar with some, but with others he is clueless. His fourth session is over, and in closing, the counselor tells him to research what certificates are needed and how to prepare for each job.

According to Min-jeong Bang, the program coordinator of the Sungdong Youth Center (SYC),
"Kim sets a good example to other participants of this program, but it is not easy for at risk teenagers to let them take part in this New Start Project and to find the most suitable job. Nevertheless, I feel great when they return to school and discover their vocation. Hopefully many teenagers (through this program) can find themselves and the field they truly want to work in leading to an exciting new beginning with the New Start Program."



* The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) is a psychometric questionnaire designed to measure psychological preferences in how people perceive the world and make decisions.

Y Stories in March

March 2River DanceA special annual event sponsored by Seoul’s YWCA. River Dance was held on March 2nd at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts and is a traditional Irish show where dancers step dance to Irish tunes with rapid leg movements.


March 8
Campaign for International Women's DayCampaign for International Women's Day was held on March 8th on the crowded streets of Myeongdong. Fair trade coffee and handcrafts from Burmese refugee camps were sold to raise funds for refugee women.


March 13Experience Science Program, Gangnam Youth CenterElementary school students through a hands-on experience learn about science. "Play at the Science Complex" held at the National Central Science Center and the Expo Science Park.





March 13Training for Y-Teen LeadersTraining for Y-Teen Leaders held to enhance leadership, to foster community spirit, and to teach Seoul YWCA's history and role in society.




March 19
Mentoring for International Migrant Women, Bongcheon Welfare Center
International migrant women were paired up with Korean volunteers at the Mentoring Program for International Migrant Women to learn each other’s culture.



March 19Poom-Ah-Si Child-caring, Garak Welfare CenterFamily time to bond while baking a cake. Taught that child rearing is a team effort between the mother and father as both felt the joy of working together for one goal.







March 26~27Training Leaders to become Babysitters, Housekeepers, and Postnatal CaregiversThe Women Empowerment Department gave 140 leaders of Helpers an opportunity to get training at An-myeon island.


2010년 4월 21일 수요일

What is YWCA?


What is YWCA?




Young


Young movement proceeding to a vision with open mind and passion




Women


Women's movement developing women's leadership for the sake of their social participation and status improvement




Christian


Christian movement establishing social justice and peace through the practice of the love of Christ




Association


Member's movement making healthy community by their voluntary participation




International movement working for workd peace with about 25 million members all around the world