MONTEGO BAY, St James — After at least six months in a behaviour modification programme, several of the teenaged participants have promised that the work done will not go to waste.

The assurance came during an awards ceremony where all 10 participants in the St James Youth Innovation Centre’s Behaviour Modification or Social Intervention programme were officially recognised for the progress they have made.

Among them was Green Pond High School student Kibarry Miller, who, in a frank assessment, told the Jamaica Observer he would not be in school now if he had not been part of the programme.

“I think I would get kick out of school already,” he said.

Miller said he had aggressive tendencies before enrolling and he has seen a big improvement in his behaviour after being a part of the programme for the last half a year.

“It has been good, it help me keep more calm,” he said.

Miller is now looking forward to going into fifth form and plans to sit seven CSEC subjects.

“This has had a positive impact on me,” he said.

He explained that the centre’s team members helped him talk through and resolve issues that had been negatively impacting his behaviour.

Fellow participant Shantae Samuels, who also said she had a history of aggression, also spoke of the difference she has seen in herself.

“From I started the counselling, it has made a change, I’m much better,” she stated.

Once quick to engage in physical altercations, Samuels said that is a thing of the past.

“I want to achieve more in school,” she said.

In September, she is headed to 11th grade at Green Pond High and she has a clear idea of her career path.

“I want to become a police officer because I like to help people,” she said.

Senior youth empowerment officer and programme coordinator Damian Green told the Observer that the goal is to support positive behaviour in youth who were displaying maladaptive behaviours at home and school.

“The students that you see here, they would be a part of the programme for different things as it relates to processing their emotions,” he explained.

“Some of them had maladaptive behaviours like fighting and so forth,” he added.

Green explained that over the course of six months to a year, they have been monitoring students who have come into the programme and have worked to change their behaviour.

“[For example] we provide support for high schools where students are on suspension; so rather for them sitting down at home for the three days or the four days, they come here,” he said.

Green said in addition to working closely with schools, they also do community walks where they speak with residents and, through that process, they also identify youngsters who would benefit from their help.

The programme has been available since 2014 but this year they’ve added a new feature.

“We’ve partnered with Sangster’s Book Stores where each selected student will receive a bookstore voucher valued at $10,000 to assist with educational expenses,” said Green.

Carlisa Watson was thrilled to receive the voucher as part of the programme’s graduation ceremony, and to get help dealing with emotional issues.

“I felt down, felt some type a way but when I stepped in, I felt better. I think I will improve and do what I am supposed to do,” she said.

Watson and other students who attended the ceremony were joined by their parents. Among them was Jessica Vernon who was overjoyed at the guidance given to her two children.

“I love the programme and I love the support, because guess what? You see these children nowadays, them nuh focus. And when you see the youth organisation just come for the children — especially in the ghetto — and bring them this far, just know that it is something good,” said Vernon.

“I am proud to know that my son and my daughter took place in it,” she added.