The Anguilla Community Action Network (ACAN) hosted its Youth Conference on Tuesday, July 3rd, at the Teachers’ Resource Center. This is an annual event with the aim of sensitizing our youth to the risky realities that they may confront as they grow and develop in a free society.
According to ACAN’s Youth Coordinator, Mrs. Maxine Alonzo, “The 2018 Youth Workshop presents the opportunity to provide intervention for young men and women before they become engaged in negative behaviors, and to redirect those who are already involved in these behaviors.
“The objective of the workshop is also to empower the youth in helping them to work together to drive social innovation and change and to participate fully in the development of their societies.”
The non-governmental organization, ACAN, was formed on December 1st, 2006. Its President is Anguilla’s famous advocate for the fight against AIDS/HIV, Mr. John “Pow” Lake. ACAN is the only no-profit organization in Anguilla whose main mandate is to support persons living with and affected by HIV/AIDS.
In light of this mandate, according to Chaplain, Oralyn Reid, in her presentation at the workshop, “The ACAN Youth Arm aims to help young people in Anguilla reach their full potential in life, and to help them exhibit responsible sexual behavior that will prevent them from being affected by HIV/AIDS, STIs as well as undue teenage pregnancy.”
The two workshop facilitators were Mrs. Twyla Bradshaw-Richardson, Director of Chronic Disease Unit, and Ms. Rochelle Rogers, Program Officer for Sexual and Reproductive Health.
