ADOLESCENT mothers attending classes at the Women’s Centre of Jamaica Foundation (WCJF) locations across the island will, over the next seven weeks, get coaching on charting their career path from a team of volunteers from Scotiabank.

Titled ‘Career Success’, the course includes topics with emphasis on critical thinking and creativity, communication and conflict management. Working in association with the Jamaica Junior Achievement, the Scotia volunteers will train girls enrolled with the WCJF in the parishes of Kingston, St Andrew, St Thomas, Portland, St Ann, St James, St Elizabeth, Manchester and St Catherine.

This is the second phase of a broader programme being managed by the ScotiaFoundation called ‘Girls Empowered for Motherhood and Success’ (GEMS), that will culminate with the celebration of International Women’s Day in March. In phase one of the programme, a presentation of baby clothing and furniture was made to the WCJF after Scotiabank staff conducted an extensive collection drive in December.

“We saw the opportunity to give the girls sound career advice in preparation for the work world,” explains Joylene Griffiths Irving, executive director of ScotiaFoundation and co-ordinator of the GEM’s programme.

“Many of these young ladies have limited alternatives, and we felt the need to help and give hope in spite of their circumstances,” she added.

The WCJF programme allows pregnant teens to continue their education, for at least one term at nearby centres. They are subsequently integrated in the formal school system after the birth of their babies.

The 120 ScotiaVolunteers, who have themselves been trained as facilitators for the programme, are also looking forward to the experience.

One volunteer, Macrina Russell Prince, sees it as her opportunity to give back. Coming out of an inner-city community, she recognises the challenges many of these young ladies may face, and believes she can offer much needed encouragement and guidance from a practical level.

“This is the kind of responsibility we like to engender in our employees where we look beyond ourselves and offer services to help others,” remarked Griffiths Irving.

The Scotia volunteers, who have since 2003 been giving back to their communities through the ScotiaVolunteer programme, were in 2014 commended for their community service by Governor General Sir Patrick Allen. GEM’s is one of the many programmes managed by the volunteers through the ScotiaFoundation.