Young Caymanian Leadership Award (YCLA) Recipient Faith Gealey is actively fulfilling her mission this year to encourage mentorship. Since receiving her award last November, Faith has presented at more than a dozen engagements and has spoken to approximately 5,000 people in Grand Cayman and Cayman Brac including the Girls Brigade, Big Brother, Big Sister, Cayman First, Youth Flex Radio and schools in Cayman Brac and more.

Faith says the past few months have been rewarding. “I am thrilled to have the opportunity to inspire so many people in our community. My goal is to inspire the adults in our community to take a more proactive approach to mentorship and to encourage the youth to be open to what mentorship can bring to their lives.”

She says with the young people she’s interacted with so far, she sees children eager for the opportunity to learn and engage with someone. Faith adds, “It serves as a personal verification that the youngest of those in our community are in need of guidance, support and mentorship from the adults in our society. I am looking forward to what the next few months will bring, and I hope that more people in the community decide to take up the mantle of mentorship.”

Young and old audiences are clearly inspired by Faith’s message. At the recent Chamber of Commerce Mentoring Luncheon, mentee Jalvado Blake described the speech as inspirational. “One quote from the speech that really stood out was ‘good mentors hold you accountable for your goal’ which makes sense because that’s what mentorship is all about, leading your mentee and helping them find a game plan for achieving their dreams.”

YCLA celebrates its 18th Anniversary this year on November 3rd, 2018 at the Kimpton SeaFire Resort. This year’s theme for the event is “It Takes a Village,” Through this year’s event, the foundations wishes to identify, celebrate and honor young leaders in our community who are living out a unique part of Cayman’s culture and history where the whole community – neighbors, teachers, family, and friends – take care of one another and intentionally invest in Cayman’s youth and community.

Nominations are open until July 1st, 2018 for this year’s recipient. Candidates are nominated each year by members of the public and are open to any Caymanian between the ages of 20 and 35. Nomination forms and more information can be found at http://www.youngcaymanianleaders.ky/nominate-someone/