MORE than 100 young people from under-represented and at-risk communities across St Elizabeth spent last week gaining new skills, building friendships, and embracing positive values at the St Elizabeth Police Division’s Non-Residential Youth Camp held at Lacovia High School.

The week-long initiative, designed to break cycles of violence and antisocial behaviour, ran from August 11 to 15 and offered participants — aged 13 to 22 — a safe, inclusive space to learn, create, and connect.

The programme was free of cost, with daily lunch provided, and was made possible through a partnership with sponsor M&M Jamaica Limited — one of Jamaica’s premier construction companies — which funded the more than $1.2-million camp.

From art, music, and cultural activities to team-building exercises and leadership workshops, the camp focused on equipping participants with practical life skills to thrive in an increasingly challenging environment. Campers also benefited from interactive sessions led by key agencies, including the Jamaica Fire Brigade, St Elizabeth Health Services, the Child Protection and Family Services Agency, St Elizabeth Festival Queen, and the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF).

Commissioner of Police Dr Kevin Blake visited during the week of camp and encouraged participants to stay committed to personal growth and community building.

Divisional Commander Superintendent Coleridge Minto said the camp was intentionally designed to foster teamwork, leadership, and resilience.

“From outdoor games to creative workshops, each activity was tailored to help our campers develop new skills and forge lasting friendships,” he said. “We also had team-building exercises to strengthen solidarity and cooperation among participants.”

A highlight of the programme was a special field trip to Kingston, during which campers explored historic landmarks and had lunch at M&M Jamaica’s headquarters with its founder, Donald Mullings, and staff.

On Friday, the camp concluded with an Open Day at Lacovia Primary School, showcasing the participants’ achievements and featuring stakeholder exhibits such as HEART/NSTA Trust, which provided career guidance. Young attendees interested in joining the JCF also had the opportunity to engage directly with recruitment officers.

Superintendent Minto noted that the camp is part of a broader social intervention strategy for communities like Lacovia, which have experienced their share of crime and violence.

“We know from experience that bringing youth together in meaningful, structured activities exposes them to positive influences, builds social bonds, and counters the get-rich-quick mindset that can lead to risky behaviour,” he said.

M&M Jamaica Limited’s involvement reflects the values of its founder, who rose from humble beginnings in Spring Park in the parish to lead the construction company that he started 32 years ago. His daughter, Danae Mullings Makoso, director at M&M Jamaica, said the sponsorship honours her father’s belief in giving back to the community that shaped him.

“My father’s journey from Brompton Primary to St Elizabeth Technical High School to becoming the first in his family to earn a university degree taught us that where you start does not define where you can go,” she said. “In all the places he went where he would have been the first black face, the only Jamaican company, not one time did he ever let the people who looked at him like he didn’t belong define him. My father always went into any room like he belonged there. My encouragement to you is to own your path and rise above their circumstances.”

The St Elizabeth Police Division expressed gratitude to M&M Jamaica Limited and all partners whose support made the 2025 Non-Residential Youth Camp a success.

Director of M&M Jamaica, Danae Mullings Makoso joins in the fun with campers during an afternoon of games and interactive activities at the St Elizabeth Police Division’s Non-Residential Youth Camp held at Lacovia High School.

St Elizabeth Divisional Commander Superintendent Coleridge Minto (left) and M&M Jamaica’s Director Danae Mullings Makoso (second left) observe campers as they take part in one of the week’s skill-building activities, during the St Elizabeth Police Division’s Non-Residential Youth Camp held at Lacovia High School.