ST JAMES, Jamaica – Two hundred and forty at-risk youth from vulnerable communities in St James are to benefit from a 12-month Positive Pathways programme, through a partnership between the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Sandals Foundation.

The $38.5-million programme, dubbed, ‘Supporting Youth Development through Positive Youth Engagement’, was launched at a ceremony on March 2 held at Sandals White House, Montego Bay, St James, and attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Security, Dr Horace Chang.

The programme targets children aged 10 to 18 years, who reside in the communities of Flanker, Norwood and Salt Spring and seeks to prevent youth involvement in crime and violence by building community, family and youth resilience.

Sandals Foundation will work closely with Youth Crime Watch of Jamaica to implement the programme. Youth Crime Watch of Jamaica is a youth-led movement, which intends to rid Jamaican schools and neighbourhoods of crime, drugs and violence.

The project will use non-traditional highly effective modalities such as art and sport to address social and behavioural issues, as well as pursue traditional methods of workforce development, community training and family support.

Chief of Party at the USAID Positive Pathways, Paul Teeple, said several government agencies, community-based groups and educational institutions will be engaged to ensure the success of the initiative.

These include the Ministries of Justice, Education and Youth, and National Security; HEART/NSTA Trust; Social Development Commission; the Community Development Committees and the police.

He underscored that the communities selected for the project are important to Montego Bay’s economy, which underlines the importance of supporting at-risk youth to help them find positive paths for their own and the community’s development.

“This is our opportunity… we have an opportunity to help 240 young Jamaicans build their resilience and set their own paths for brighter futures. Now, let’s just think about what that can mean for each person and his or her family; not just for now but for generations to come,” he said.

Executive Director of Sandals Foundation, Heidi Clarke, said the project marks the beginning of a new journey within the targeted communities, noting that youth development is a catalyst for social and behavioural change.

“[This is] a journey that will reach within the chambers of the three communities… and is about building relationships, earning trust, and understanding passion and interests that drive our young people, and supporting the infrastructure, so that they can pursue and achieve their goals,” she said.