The Ministry of Social Development and the Department of Youth and Culture, in collaboration with the PAVE (Partners Advocating for Violence Eradication), launched a Public Recruitment Campaign for the Anguilla Service Corps (ASC), on Wednesday June 1, on the grounds of the Edison L. Hughes Education & Library Complex.
The Anguilla Service Corps, was launched last year under the patronage of Her Excellency Governor Ms. Christina Scott. It aims at encouraging resident of Anguilla to become mentors and volunteers to young people in Anguilla. The programme was envisaged as a means for recruitment, training and deployment of volunteers and mentors to work with young people. While it has seen a number of successes over the previous year, the Corps has set out an ambitious plan to strengthen its operations by registering over sixty new mentors and volunteers.
The Billboard launch was chaired by Mrs. Charmaine Rogers of the ASC Management Advisory Board and featured a number of speeches. Director of the Department of Youth and Culture, Mr. Bren Romney said; “Anguilla has always been known as a service nation and we are at the point in our development where we need to look at how we serve each other”. This sentiment was carried throughout the event by other speakers including HE Governor Christina Scott who shared her own experiences in volunteering and reminded the audience of the impact it can have on one’s personal development. She encouraged everyone to be a volunteer, “I promise you’ll get as much out of it as the person you are mentoring”, she said.
Honourable Minister of Social Development, Mr. Evans McNiel Rogers, commended the department for its work towards the development of Anguilla. Other speakers were Mr. Clemvio Hodge and Mrs. Angelina Carty. Mr. Alexis Ryan presented a poem entitled “Heroes Do Exist.”
Two of the six billboards were unveiled by the Governor and the Minister. The billboards will be placed throughout the island in order to create awareness of the programme and its importance. It is hoped that this drive will motivate residents of Anguilla to donate their time by becoming mentors and volunteers.
