80,000 Youth Reached By The NCYD Over 11 Month Period

The National Centre for Youth Development, through its Youth Information Centres (YICs), was able to reach some 80,000 young people between the ages of 15 to 24 years, for the period April 2009 to February 2010.
The statistics showed that of the five YICs, Portland recorded the highest number of users with over 28,000. The Kingston YIC reported approximately 11,437 users, however, the St. Mary YIC recorded the least number of users, accounting for 7,500 young people. The St. James and Portmore YICs equally recorded approximately 8,300 users. In addition to these users, the YICs extended their programmes to thousands more young people in various communities.
In assessing the figures, Director of the NCYD, Roberta Brown-Ellis stated that the figures show a steady increase which indicates that”the NCYD is fulfilling a need in the communities”. She stated that the YICs are spaces for creative expression of all young people and that “they are designed to ensure their social, emotional, spiritual and career advancement”. Mrs. Ellis said that she was pleased with the level of usership and hopes that it increases as the YICs serve the youth.
The programmes undertaken by the Youth Information Centres throughout the period included empowerment sessions, sports development, career development, entrepreneurship and community development. Of note have been successful parenting sessions as well as workshops on HIV/AIDS. Additionally, the Manchester and Portland Youth Information Centres held successful Black History Month activities while the other YICs held activities in Safer Sex Week. The thrust of these initiatives and programmes is to foster personal, community and national development through creative and productive avenues in which they can be involved.
In moving forward, the NCYD hopes to reach many more young people through these Centres. Plans are underway to build other Centres in parishes which are not being served by a YIC. The NCYD also plans to roll out several programmes and initiatives for the year which will increase the number of young people it serves.
The Centre will be looking at advancing the sports development as well as the music and arts programmes in communities, as well as promote opportunities for youth entrepreneurship through the YICs. Mrs. Brown-Ellis noted that the Centres will be strategically located in areas plagued by youth crimes and poverty in an attempt “to provide alternate means to deviant behaviour and inappropriate life choices”.