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Real service for the community

October 10, 1990

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This is a digitised version of an article from The Cayman Compass's print archive. Occasionally, the digitisation process introduces transcription errors, or other problems.

See the article in its original context from October 1990.

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There is a well worn joke in the service club community with many variations along the lines of "Rotary members own the town, Lions members run the town and Kiwanis members do the work." Be that as it may, the Cayman community as a whole benefits from the tremendous efforts of all its service clubs--the "big three" plus Cayman Against Substance Abuse, the Business and Professional Womens Club, Pink Ladies and the numerous smaller church and neighbourhood based groups which make a difference.

It may then seem unfair to single out one project of one club for particular praise, but, we believe the success of the Graffiti's teen club warrants the risk of such accusations.

Creating facilities for teens has been talked about in many quarters for many years. Youth groups and church and school based clubs, as well as the youth organisations such as Guides, Scouts, and Girls Brigade all offer valuable outlets. But there are some youngsters who are not natural joiners-and, as youngsters reach a certain age-often their mid-teens-they want a place they can call their own, where they can "hang out and have fun," with minimal adult supervision. Groups of parents suitably organised might, with some effort, have provided bases for parties and dances free of alcoholic drinks. But in lieu of this, young people had a way of getting what they want by sneaking into nightclubs with their easy temptation of alcoholic drinks on sale.

At Graffitis, upwards of 150 youngsters are regularly attending the weekend functions. The youngsters themselves are responsible for most of the decisions involving the club. The only problems seem to involve transport to and from the club, particularly for youngsters in outlying districts.

The club was set up using an existing building, with a limited cash outlay. It was a product of the kind of Kennedy style thinking that asks "why not?" when other men ask why? As the Kiwanis hand over to the first of three Caymanian presidents, few can doubt that this "can do" spirit will continue to benefit our community.