THE Optimist Club of Mammee Bay in St Ann has welcomed its expansion with the recent induction of several new members during the group’s 11th installation luncheon held in Ocho Rios.

The rainy weather could not dampen the spirits of excited members who attended the event.

Past International Vice President Shirley Jarrett, in expressing delight at the increase in membership, called on members to make “optimism a way of life”.

“Optimist is still alive and we are growing,” she said.

Debbian Livingstone-Edwards, legal and policy officer at the Office of the Children’s Advocate, who was guest speaker at the event, urged her fellow club members to do more than give gifts to children, but to sew seeds in their lives.

Livingstone-Edwards said it is time that the bar is raised in terms of how youth empowerment is viewed and the approach taken to accomplish such.

“It is good and well to offer meals and to assist in whatever way we can here and there. That is charitable and in fact we do commend it, but I submit that it is time that as a society we take seriously a more profound and systematic approach to concept of empowerment and help,” she stated.

She added, “It is time we view youth empowerment as an attitudinal, structural and cultural process that will equip our children with the ability, the confidence and the means to make decisions and implement change in their own lives and the lives of other people.”

She called on adults to set an example for children to follow.

“As parents and guardians and teachers and community leaders we cannot sew peas and expect to reap corn. Our children are likely to reproduce the values we teach them by our own interaction, conduct and philosophies,” she added.

She further urged persons not to turn a blind eye to child abuse even as she pointed out that children should be allowed to speak and be believed when they report such incidents.

“Never turn a blind eye to child abuse,” she urged.

The Optimist Club of Mammee Bay has already committed to continue its relationship with the community and the development of children. Incumbent President Barbara Watson said the club intends to expand its annual school’s challenge quiz to include more schools. Additionally, the president has called on club members to offer their full support as they work towards various projects. She has called on them to support fund-raising activities for the upcoming year.

The club, she said, has identified a school in St Ann’s Bay which has a lot of needs and the club will be seeking to undertake a project at the institution in the upcoming year.