Resident of Parade Gardens awarded Chevening Scholarship
KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS) – A 25 year-old beneficiary of a social intervention programme, aimed at reducing serious crimes and violence, has been awarded a Chevening scholarship.
A resident of Parade Gardens, Jerome Cowans, is an active community participant who has benefitted tremendously from the Citizen Security and Justice Programme (CSJP), which has transformed him into an ambassador and inspiration for other youngsters.
At the age of 13, Jerome and a group of friends decided to start a youth group to focus on anti-crime initiatives, ‘Leaders Endeavouring for Adolescent Development (LEAD) Youth Club’, because they were tired of the spread of violence in their community.
“That’s where the big shift came for me. We got involved with Rise Life Management Services, which is a beacon in our community and many others. They receive funding from CSJP, so that’s how I learnt about the programme,” he tells JIS News.
Hundreds of community residents have benefited from the partnerships formed by the LEAD Youth Club to provide scholarships, skills training, homework assistance, remedial classes as well as football competitions, all aimed at reducing the likelihood of young people getting involved in crime and violence.
Jerome’s journey saw him serving as President of LEAD Youth Club, President of the Kingston Youth Council and Vice-President of the Parade Gardens Community Development Committee Benevolent Society.
As an outstanding leader, Jerome has been recognised by several organizations, including The Bank of Nova Scotia Jamaica Limited, CSJP and RISE Life Management Services.
In 2013, he received the Queen’s Young Leader Award. This prestigious award discovers, celebrates and supports exceptional young people from across the Commonwealth, who are taking the lead in their communities and using their skills to transform lives.
“It was a life-changing experience. I visited England and met with the Queen, the prime minister and several senior executives from some of the world’s most profitable businesses. I also had the opportunity to interact with some really impressive young leaders from around the world,” he tells JIS News.
