PHILIPSBURG:--- The Ministry of Labor, Health, and Social Affairs launched a program which is geared at reaching youngsters in various districts. Minister of Labor, Health, and Social Affairs Cornelius de Weever and Ida Hallaman told reporters that some five persons will kick off the Youth Connection program in the Dutch Quarter area. Minister de Weever said the main purpose of this program is to reach persons in the various districts that need help and information to become active citizens. Another reason the Ministry chose to embark on this particular program is to assist migrants that are living in the various communities to integrate in St. Maarten's society and to also attack the social ills affecting the persons living on St. Maarten.
The Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs will assist the persons they connect with and place them into existing programs. Hallaman said some five persons will be working in the various districts in order to find persons that need information and preparation to participate in the programs that are already available. Persons that are interested in making contact with those in the Dutch Quarter area can contact the Help Desk in Dutch Quarter to fill out a form.
The Ministry of Labor is also working with the CPOs in the various districts to meet the persons that are hanging out on the blocks or those that simply cannot find work.