Youth Empowerment Program (YEP) announces 6th Annual Summer Program for local youth
- Tuesday, July 3rd, 2012 at 7:07 AM
The Youth Empowerment Program (YEP) announced today its 6th annual summer program for local youth, which this year will carry the theme “A Healthier BVI Begins with ME!”
This summer program continues YEP’s ongoing commitment to provide the youth of the BVI with a safe, structured environment outside of school in which they can develop their skills and talents, and help them acquire the basic life skills needed to become productive, contributing members of the community. Since its inception, YEP’s regular and summer programs have enrolled over 350 local youth from across the Territory. It remains the only such program open for the entire duration of the summer holidays in the BVI.
Commenting on the summer program, Executive Director Stacy Mather said, “YEP uses research-based strategies and high-quality facilities to help our young people thrive. We are thrilled that this summer, we will once again provide that service during the critical months away from school. Our decision to focus this summer’s program on health reflects the growing concern in our community about addressing the health risks we face.”
In selecting the health-focused agenda for the summer program, YEP leadership and staff noted growing health risks in the Territory such as obesity, diabetes, heart disease and cancer that have all been linked to behavioral and life style choices.
Executive Assistant Esther Rabsatt commented, “If our summer program can get kids to adopt healthy habits like a balanced diet, regular exercise and refraining from tobacco, alcohol and drugs, we can set them on course for a happier, longer and more productive life.”
During the 7 weeks of summer, youth enrolled at the YEP centre will be participating in programs focused on:
• Sports (basketball, volleyball, badminton, dodge ball, netball, etc)
• Simple healthy cooking
• Outdoor cultural cooking activities
In addition to these health-focused activities, members will also enjoy activities that contribute to a well-rounded summer:
• Culturally based art s & crafts
• Community projects
• Sailing
• Environmental workshops hosted by Dr. Lianna Jarecki,
• Literacy and creative writing enhancement workshops
• Academic research workshops
• Reflective writing and personal development planning.
This year, YEP will once again partner with several local and international organizations including Lifeworks Int., Sail Caribbean and Visions, as well as longstanding supporters Guana Island Hotel, Scotia Bank, The Jarecki Family Fundation, The Rotary Club of Tortola, Rotary Club Sunrise, CCT Global Communications and BVBI Cable TV. YEP’s summer program is supported by the Ministry of Education, The Department of Youth Affairs and Sports, and the BVI Lifeguards.
Mather concluded, “YEP is truly a project supported by and providing service for the entire community. This 6th summer program will continue to affirm that value of this commitment as we look forward to many more years of empowering the BVI’s youth.”
YEP’s summer program commences on July 9th 2012, for more info contact Yep @ 495-2010 or yepbvi@gmail.com.
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