Adult education is much different then
teaching children. Adult education is something that is voluntary and is
something that is a lifelong process (Brown & Hannis, 2012). Adults have
life experiences that influence new learning. The main difference of adult
education and child education is the motivation that comes from the expectation
that new knowledge will help achieve a goal (Brown & Hannis, 2012). The
YMCA has created adult programs that foster directly to the individuals in the
Niagara Region. They are programs that will be beneficial to the adults and
will help with their everyday lives. The YMCA has created programs that
encourage are appealing to the community. There are two types of adult
education that are relevant to the YMCA community: “Community education is education for the community, within the community”
(Brown & Hannis, 2012). The purpose of community education is to bring
individuals to a common social surrounding to encourage learning and
interaction. The YMCA Niagara provides this. The variety of classes that are
offered are an opportunity for adults to create dialogue with one another,
sharing a common interest, develop a voluntarily range of learning and reflection
opportunities (Brown & Hannis, 2012).
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| Photograph 9 |
Radical adult education builds on the sense of community but then takes it a
step further. The YMCA offers adults programs, for example; parenting classes,
housing support, public seminars, adult learning classes, etc), that allow
these individuals to see that there are other people in their community who they
can relate to. It allows them to be more in touch with their community and what
is going on around them.
YMCA's guiding principles:
Collaborative: Supports and works with the expectations of Member Associations while
respecting the uniqueness of each different association and recognizing their
interdependence
Ethical and accountable: Maintains the federation’s values, constitution
and by-laws and is transparent and trusted
Proactive: Advances and protects the interest of member Associations and
influences their work for maximum impact
Open and Responsive: YMCA welcomes new ideas, encourages interaction
and plays a leadership role in response to member Associations’ needs
Integrated: Engages, stimulates and uses its vibrant network as it coordinates and
integrates its Delivery of Service to fulfill its role.
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| Photograph 10 |
Effecting lasting change. The
YMCA collaborates nationally and internationally so that they can continue to
deliver exceptional community service. It also allows the YMCA to effect
meaningful and long lasting social change that will bring up the discussions of
challenges in their community.
