Friday, 20th September 2013 (North Side, Anguilla)—Yesterday evening, I attended an evaluation meeting for clients of the Job Link-Up Programme. The Job Link-Up Programme is an initiative sponsored by the Government of Anguilla Department of Youth and Culture.Talking, last night, with the youths inspired meto write an article this morning to highlight what they are doing and what is being done for them. Knowing that these youths are on a path to greatness, motivated me to get the word out about this initiative which focuses on linking the youths of Anguilla with local jobs. How can one not want to speak of them when we have listened to a young man express his interest in going into nursing – and a young woman speak of her desire to attend Harvard University?
Now you may be wondering like I did before, what is the Job Link-Up Programme? I received a brief description of this youth focussed initiative when I met on Tuesday, 17th September, with the Senior Programme Officer for Youth Development, Mrs Hyacinth Augustine-Bradley; and newly appointed Youth Programme Officer, Ms Joleyne S. Robin. They, along with various other persons, youth centre leaders, mentors, parents and businesses, are working with the youths to give them opportunities, steering them towards developing sustainable and productive directionsfor their life journeys.
It wasn’t until last night that I got a real glimpse into what this programme is all about.Job Link-Up is a job education and skills development initiative for youths who may be at risk of going down the wrong path and who need assistance in re-directing their energies. Through the Job Link-Up Programme they are given chancestore-focus how they lead their lives. The programme provides the young people with opportunities for counselling, continuing education, skill and personal development, and also links these young people with a number of employers in the community. Some of the employers being Larry’s Deli, JW Proctor’s grocery store, Just Tender Care senior citizens home, Anguilla Fire and Rescue Services, Rebel Marine,Anguilla Aluminium, Anguilla Water Corporation, Dolphins Discovery and Karle Connor’s Landscaping. For a period of six months, the youths are trained in various departments, and they have diverse responsibilities and tasks assigned to them in each business or organisation. Good work ethics are developed, and the youths are expected to maintain these ethics throughout the programme in order for themto be able to secure permanent job placements. Of course, they receive a small monetary compensation which affords them the cash to buy personal items they might normally have to ask a parent to purchase.
As I heard several of the young ladies and gentlemen, who are Job Link-Up clients, express in their own words, they learn valuable skills on the job as well as personal development like building self-confidence, listening to persons in authority, and following directions. Having a job, as one youth said, helps them to stay out of trouble. I was quite impressed with this group of young persons because it seems by giving them a chance to learn job skills they are also learning how to turn their lives around and head in a better direction. In some cases, employers have already offered some of the youths full-time employment after the six-month stint with the Job Link-Up Programme is completed. That is certainly good news for all of us to share.
The adults, including parents, mentors and members of the programme’s management team who were present,were also very much impressed with the attire of the young men who attended the Job Link-Up evaluation meeting. They came “dressed for success”, as we would say. Some wore their work uniforms with shirts tucked in and they had a very neat, sharp looking appearance. Ms Robin and Mrs Anita Martin Ruan, a Core Management Team Member of the Job Link-Up Programme, complimented the youths on how they were well dressed. The youths’ well-groomed appearance spoke highly of the self-confidence they have built from being in the working world.
I would personally like to thank all of the young persons who were present for showing us such positive attributes. We are really proud of your accomplishments and hope you are inspired to reach greater heights in your lives. They are all looking forward to their graduation ceremony,which is being organised by the Department of Youth and Culture. This would indeed mark another impressive accomplishment in their lives.
To the parents, mentors, youth centre leaders, employers, management team,andstaff of the Department of Youth and Culture, a multitude of thanks and gratitude for the support you are giving to the youths and for your encouragement to help them make positive choices in their lives.
If you too would like to join in these youth initiatives, or get involved in helping the youths, please contact Mrs Hyacinth Augustine – Bradley or Ms Joleyne S. Robin at the Department of Youth and Culture located upstairs the Cannonball Complex on the Old Airport Road. You may wish to contact them through telephone at (264) 498 3792 or (264) 497 0969 or email Hyacinth.Bradley@gov.aiorJoleyne.Robin@gov.ai.
You may also speak with Mrs Anita M. Ruan, Guidance Counsellor at the Albena Lake Hodge Comprehensive School. To speak with the Counsellor, please call telephonenumber (264) 4975971.At the Department of Social Development, you may contact Ms Lauraine Gumbsor Mrs Daphne Hodge attelephone number (264) 497 2317.
The youth centre leaders are available as well to talk with you. You may contact Ms Kareen Harriganat the Island Harbour Community Care Centre on(264) 461 2273 (461 CARE) or (264) 5844242; Mrs Jemima Romney at the Blowing Point Youth Development Centre at (264) 584 2860; Ms Josette Duncan at The HOPE (Helping Our People Excel) Centre Ltd in Nauson House on the Sandy Hill road in East End at (264) 772 2497; Mrs Hyacinth Hughes of the Eleos Centre, located in Sandy Ground, at telephone number (264) 235 8965; Mrs Sandra York-Gumbs of the Comprehensive Learning Centre at telephone number (264) 497 2996.
Give back and pay forward to our youths by sharing your time, talents, skills, gifts and resources with the Anguilla community of which we are all a part. Reap the rewards of a bountiful harvest by joining in this cycle of giving and receiving throughout the many seasons of the year.
Kay M. Ferguson is a Creative Professional Writer/Editor, who has great interest in collaborating with the Department of Youth and Culture and Community Centres to work on building positive and sustainable initiatives for the well being of youths in the Anguilla community. To share your thoughts or comments, you canlink with Kay via mobile 264 476 8735 or US landline 1 206 388 4848, send an online message at www.facebook.com/kaymferguson, email anguillawriter@gmail.com or tweet @kaykayferguson.
