The Youth For Christ (YFC) organization announced this week the appointment of a new youth worker for the 2006-2007 term. The new face in the crowd is that of Miss Kellie Surratt, a recent college graduate from the US.

Ms Surratt, who specializes in Human Services, earned her undergraduate degree last December from Pfeiffer University in North Carolina, where she majored in Human Services, with a minor emphasis in Child Psychology.

Accepting the one-year appointment to the Cayman Islands, Miss Surratt has found herself working in the field she loves - Youth Ministry - and  says that working internationally was  the fulfillment of a career goal.

|"I knew before I came here that I wanted to work with youth internationally. My last semester in school I was actually a pregnancy crisis counselor... it was an awesome experience (working for a) Christian organization; it helped me to grow spiritually and learn a lot about myself. It was an awesome opportunity, " continued Ms Surratt.

"Coming here (to the Cayman Islands) having had that experience was great, because I could come in with my foot in the door and walk taking steps that were a little stronger than baby steps."

Working two years with the At-Risk Youth community in the American prison systems was another rich  experience that Ms Surratt feels served to successfully prepare her for her work here on the Island. Arriving in Grand Cayman a month,  Ms Surratt says that although the geographic scenery is different, she has found the needs presented in the hearts of youth, both here and state side, to be extremely similar.

"From what I'm learning (living on the Island) the issues that kids face in the States are very similar to what's here.  It's not much different. It may not be as prevalent here as it is in the States; but things are beginning to surface here. It is the same in that it does exist, (however) it's just not in the same capacity," added Ms Surratt.

Carrying the distinction of being the first full-time youth worker to be appointed by the Youth for Christ Organization in  the Cayman Islands, Ms Surratt's primary responsibility within the organization is to plan out and properly execute the revival of the "YouthPlace" youth centre activities.

"YouthPlace has been a place were they've had TeenTime, which is held on Saturday nights - where the kid's can come and hang-out, use the computers and socialize with one another.  They've held Christian events, and concerts in the past.  It's being rebuilt now and restructured.  I hope that it will be a place where youth can come and enhance their relationship with the Lord.... and at the same time to fellowship with one another in a positive atmosphere where they are able to engage in the activities that they like and that they are interested in," said Ms Surratt.

The Youth For Christ' TeenTime Club will be held at YouthPlace on Saturday nights from 8:00 pm to 11:00 pm for youth ages 13 - 19 years. Young men and women are invited to drop in to the YouthPlace centre and enjoy the facilities free of charge.

The centre is equipped with high-speed Internet access, table games, table tennis (ping pong) and a book library.

Juggling by the many demands that fall under the umbrella of her new position with YFC, Ms Surratt's time on the Island will be split between planning activities for YouthPlace, public speaking on youth related issues and assisting with Volunteer and Youth Leadership Training events.

However, at the end of the day, it is having a positive impact on the youth of Grand Cayman that Ms Surratt directly influences that remains her top priority.

"My prayer is that God uses this place to be a warm and inviting place where teens can come and are attracted to it, not so much by the material things that we offer, but by the love that they feel from our Staff," she said.

Summer activities at the YouthPlace will begin on 15 July 2006, and corporate sponsors and volunteer help are needed.  To learn more about YFC or to inquire about becoming a volunteer, contact the Youth Centre at 945-8561 or email caymanyfc@candw.ky or yfccayman@yahoo.com or write: Youth For Christ, PO. Box 427WB, Rev. Blackman Road, West Bay, Grand Cayman, BWI

fran@caymannetnews.com