CHILDREN First has been a beacon of hope for many young people in the country during the 25 years it has been operating, and this holds true for business owner Anthony Miles who grabbed the opportunity with both hands and is now reaping the benefits.

The proud owner of Miles’ 1Stop Barber and Beauty Salon, which can be found nestled at the corner of Cumberland Road in Spanish Town St Catherine, Miles credits his time as a student at the institution for his success.

When the Jamaica Observer news team visited the location, Miles spoke about his love for the beauty industry and how pleased he was at the work Children First has done.

“I start Children First since I leave high school, and that’s where I learn the barbering skill. Children First is a good NGO [non-governmental organisation]; they offer skills to youngsters in the community — such as barbering, hairdressing, nail technician — and they are doing a good job in the Spanish Town community,” the 41-year-old said, noting that he attended Spanish Town High School.

The father of seven told the Observer that had it not been for Children First when his business burned down in 2011, due to circumstances outside of his control, he would not have been able to reopen the salon.

“I asked for some assistance from Children First and they offered me a container where I could turn it into a new salon,” he said.

Grateful for the assistance, Miles stated he is happy that he is able to offer his skills, and he is now able to provide employment to people in the community.

“I am proud to be a person who own my own business where I could employ workers, because presently I employ seven persons in my salon…What most shock me is how people rely on me as a person who own my own business and I never know that I would be someone who [would] employ so much persons,” Miles stated.

Also an instructor at Children First for over 15 years, Miles said he does not want anyone to limit themselves.

“I [want to] advise all young persons who are trying to own their own business to get themselves certified, get themselves qualified, where they could start off,” he said, adding that he was able to send his older son to Children First, and he is now one of his employees.

Making it clear that he is a stylist and not just a barber, Miles explained that he is a skilled nail technician and is also verse in locking hair, installing hair extensions, among other things.

Meanwhile, 22-year-old Shaquille Breary, a past student of the institution who studied under the tutelage of Miles, said, “They [Children First] are doing a very incredible work in helping young people learn different skills to further their lives.”

Echoing Breary’s sentiments, 32-year-old Killeen Nugent described her experience at children first as “very great”.

“We had a lot of experience by going out on the road and interacting with a lot of people, homeless people, people in homes,” Nugent said, speaking on the volunteer aspect of the programme.

“It’s a good experience for persons that drop out of school. Persons who don’t have a skill have an opportunity to do something better with their life and make an income for their families.

“I didn’t get the chance to complete high school but I went up to grade 11. I got pregnant at age 16 and I was sick [because of] my pregnancy when I was supposed to graduate. I had a lot of difficulty when I got pregnant,” she added, noting that she attended Eltham High School but she was able to get a skill in barbering and cosmetology after she attended Children First.

Thinking about Children First’s 25th anniversary, Miles said, “What I would love for the Spanish Town community, I would love for Children First to get on board with some sponsors so we could start back a new barbering programme, because the one that was there before kind a slow down, probably based on sponsoring and stuff like that.”