TWENTY-FOUR years since Joy Town Community Development Foundation first introduced social skills and empowerment programmes to young residents of Trench Town, Tivoli Gardens, Denham Town and Greenwich Town in Kingston, the foundation continues to change lives with the support of international and local entities.

In partnership with the European Union and the Jamaica Broilers Group Foundation, completion ceremonies for this year’s students of the Taking Charge of Your Future (TCYF) and the Greenleaf Project were held at the Inner City for Christ Ministries, West Road, Kingston, and at Medallion Hall Hotel, respectively.

TCYF, which began in 2014, is a year-long diversion project to provide remedial education and behaviour modification to transform the lives of seven- to 12-year-olds in the communities who would likely have remained illiterate. On completion of the programme they are reintegrated into schools. To date, 273 students have benefited, with most completing high school and undergoing skills training at HEART/NSTA Trust, and a number of whom are employed.

The students attend classes five days a week over a 10-month period to do remedial maths and English, as well as to learn life skills through the performing arts and sports. Their parents are encouraged to participate in various workshops so they can provide positive parenting for their children, having learned how to model, monitor, mentor and motivate them.

In addition, 49 youngsters, between 17 and 30 years old from the communities being served by the foundation – who were out of school or did not complete their high school education – were recognised for having participated in the Out of School Youth Livelihood, Empowerment & Advancement Programme (OSY-LEAP) held over 36 weeks. It is one of three components of the Strengthening Schools and Communities for Greater Security – the Greenleaf Project. The groundbreaking programme –– co-funded by the European Union –– aims to provide youth with employability skills and foster positive youth development and enhance community resilience.

Speaking at the graduation ceremony, Aniceto Rodriguez Ruiz, first counsellor/head of co-operation, European Union Delegation to Jamaica, Belize and The Bahamas, said the EU is proud to partner with Jamaica in its journey towards sustainable development and inclusive growth.

“Within the partnership we recognise the vital role that civil society organisations play in addressing critical challenges, while empowering communities and young people,” he said.

President of the foundation Major Richard Cooke noted that initially the students were disruptive, which required a lot of extra work to get them engaged.

“But they ended the programme exhibiting the desired change in attitude and ready for the job market,” he said.

Luca Lo Conte (left), programme manager, Delegation of the European Union to Jamaica, Belize and The Bahamas; and Aniceto Rodriguez-Ruiz (second left), head of cooperation, Delegation of the European Union to Jamaica, Belize and The Bahamas, engage in conversation with, from third left, Dr Peter Morgan, director, Joy Town Community Development Foundation; Brigadier Markland Lloyd, force executive officer, Jamaica Defence Force; and Major (Ret’d) Richard Cooke, president, Joy Town Community Development Foundation.