Grand Cayman residents showed up by the scores yesterday (Thursday, 14 May 2014), to exercise at simultaneous Island-wide events.

Co-sponsored by the Family Resource Centre and the new YMCA organization, the International Day of the Family celebration was attended by a cross section of the community – from retirees and working people, to students and toddlers.

In many instances, several family members came out together. For some, it was their first time engaged in a formal workout regimen. The volunteer instructors led them through basic routines, which included basic weight training, stretches, push-ups and other introductory exercises.

The YMCA will use the evenings to inform a decision on whether to offer similar wellness sessions at a grassroots level, and at no cost.

Short presentations on family and emotional wellness rounded out the district sessions.   Refreshments were provided, courtesy of Subway. Participants also received gifts ranging from water bottles to gift certificates.

This is the twentieth anniversary of the International Year of the Family, which is a United Nations initiative. The main objectives are to offer opportunities to refocus on the role of families; to take stock of recent trends in family policy development; and to share good practices in family policy making.

Photo credits: Photos by Information Officers Yvette Cacho & Lennon Christian

Residents engage in activities during Cayman’s observance of International Day of the Family.