News

With the 2018 YCLA Gala Event is in just a few weeks, the Young Caymanian Leaders Foundation wanted to take the time to share more on our 2017 Recipient, Faith Gealey, and her year in review!

Since last year's 2017 YCLA Gala, Faith has addressed more than 10,000 young people in schools, service clubs and businesses, and has spread her message on the importance of mentorship for our youth and community.

Since her time as the YCLA Recipient, she has also:

• Spoke to over 10,000 people in the Primary Schools, Public and Private Schools, Community Events and Organizations, Businesses, on the Media and visited Cayman Brac
• Took on a few new mentees and continues to live out her own challenge to mentor and invest in the young people of our community
• Expanded her Speech Therapy Services at the Health Service Authority
• Continued her work with the Disability Council
• Enrolled in the American Speech and Hearing Association approved Clinical Supervision course, so she can be prepared to mentor to some of the new Caymanian Therapists joining the Health Services Authority

When asked how her year was as the YCLA 2017 Recipient has been, she said:

"Since being named the YCLA Recipient it has been a whirlwind of a year - professionally and volunteer wise. In addition to my professional and community service responsibilities, I've also incorporated my YCLA duties into my day-to-day life as well! I've had the opportunity to do workshops, presentations, motivational speeches, judge competitions and even appear on discussion panels. It's been such a rewarding and fulfilling experience to be able to share my expertise and passion for my community in my role as the recipient. In all the opportunities I've had to share with members of our community, the philosophy behind mentorship and the need for continued mentorship of our young people continues to be at the forefront.”

In addition to acting as the YCLA Recipient this last year and speaking with our community on mentorship and other topics, Faith has also continued her work with the Disability Council and Speech Therapy Services and is excited for new developments in these areas.

In regards to the Disability's Council, she's excited to continue to work with the Government to ensure that the Solomon Webster Disabilities Law can be fully enforced and has already made several recommendations for changes to ensure a more accessible and inclusive Cayman Islands for persons with all types of disabilities.

Surrounding Speech Therapy Services at the Health Services Authority, over the last 10 years she has worked to develop the Speech Therapy Services and is looking forward to the services moving to a new site, as well as adding some new therapists over the next couple months. She shared how rewarding it is for her to see how far therapy services have come not just at H.S.A. but also on the island over the past 10 years and is proud to be a part of the process.

Therefore, although Faith is wrapping up her year as the Recipient, she will continue her work in impacting our community through mentorship, Speech Therapy and the Disability's Council.

When asked what advice or word of encouragement she would give to other Caymanian leaders before she ended her time as the YCLA 2017 Recipient, she said:

"Find your passion, find your purpose and be true to yourself. Each of us has something special to bring to the table and to share with our community - especially those in our community who are the most vulnerable and at risk. Our community is only as strong as the weakest link, so never feel that your role in our community and the impact that you make is "minimal" because you may not realize how vital you are to keeping our community bound together in strength. Finally, continue to inspire the next generation and be inspired by them to make our community even better than the one that they found themselves in."

We are so proud of Faith and all she has done to advocate for mentorship, speech therapy and for those with disabilities here in Cayman. We cannot wait to see the leader she continues to become as she also lives out this year’s Theme of “It Takes A Village” to really see our people and community flourish.

YCLA 2018 EVENT DETAILS
This year’s gala event will be held on November 10th at the Kimpton Seafire to celebrate and honor this year's YCLA 2018 Finalists - Kacey Mobley, Kimberley Conolly, Samuel Young, Staci Scott, and Wilbur Welcome. Tickets for the YCLA 2018 Gala Event are available but are selling out fast. The cost is $250 per person. Corporate tables of ten are also available for $2,500. The event is November 10, 2018, at the Kimpton Seafire Resort and Spa. The theme is “It Takes a Village.” Doors open for the reception at 6 pm. At 6:45, doors are closed to accommodate the live telecast. Doors re-open after the broadcast for the remainder of the evening to celebrate.

If you wish to purchase tickets or tables for this year’s event, please contact Brianna at brianna@ycla.ky.