YWCA Charleston hopes to bring international opportunities to programs serving low-income families in the region.
Representatives of the Danish Exchange Group visited the city Thursday along their journey in search of volunteer and internship positions in the U.S.
"It's nothing that we've done before and that's why we're very eager for the opportunity to get involved," said Andrea Thaxton, executive assistant of YWCA Charleston.
YWCA Charleston was identified as an exemplary organization and potential partner by YWCA and YMCA Denmark after Thaxton met Gritt Rhinstrøm Kristensen, the International Consultant for the organization at the World YWCA Council last October.
"It's so nice here," said Malene Bentsen, a representative of YMCA and YWCA in Denmark. "It's a very beautiful city."
Thaxton believes the exchange would bring cultural opportunities including the chance to introduce their clients, staff and volunteers to what the Danish culture is like.
"It may inspire someone to want to travel one day," she said. "I know I want to go visit Denmark after talking to them."
Thaxton hopes this could lead to the creation of an exchange program between national and international YWCAs and believes this would create a chance to learn from each other.
The representatives are visiting three other locations in the U.S. However, this is the only YWCA.
Future volunteers would be ages 19-22 and would help in places such as the homeless shelter serving meals or the Mel Wolf Child Development Center, which cares for a large population of low-income children. Thaxton says that they have opportunities throughout all of their programs.
"This would be a new educational opportunity," said Jenna Elmore, program director of the Mel Wolf Child Development Center. "[The children] would have the opportunity to learn about different cultures and countries."
Reach Jennifer Gardner at jennifer.gardner@wvgazettemail.com, 304-348-5102 or follow
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