Holds recruitment drive at USM today Saturday, May 17th
PHILIPSBURG:--- At-risk youngsters in St. Maarten now have an avenue to receive guidance to help them get back on the right track thanks to the formation of Voice of the Youth SXM Foundation.
The new foundation will be holding a recruitment drive at University of St. Martin (USM) today, Saturday, May 17th, 2014 from 9am to 1pm as it set out to embark on its first project – the St. Maarten Youth Brigade (SYB).
SYB is a comprehensive programme geared towards helping its young members in their overall development through a broad three-year programme. SYB targets youngsters between the ages of 15 to 21, who are in the education system, but are at risk of falling through the cracks as well as those who have dropped out of the educational system.
Youngsters enrolled in SYB will be exposed to a range of physical, mental, cognitive and social education activities to help rebuild their self-confidence, self-esteem and give them a higher level of thinking skills. SYB's programmes will include first aid courses, fire prevention training, mentorship sessions and courses in general educational topics such as basic legal knowledge, public speaking, team-building, leadership and stress management.
Members will be groomed to channel their energies into positive activities. They will be prepared to occupy leadership roles within the Brigade as well as in other youth programmes in the country upon completion of the required course-work.
Brigade members will be required to recognize and report unsafe and/or unhealthy situations to their respective leaders who will take the necessary action.
The Brigade will also organize and participates in various social and recreational activities. These will include assisting the underprivileged in the community.
Voice of the Youth SXM was established on May 17, 2013 by businesswoman professional photographer and mother Zulayka Peterson to help guide youngsters from veering off the wrong path.
Peterson said the lack of sufficient educational and social activities to stimulate effective communication amongst youngsters coupled with her strong desire to instill positive self-images in young people were among the factors that prompted her to start the foundation.
She said Brigade is committed to offer trained leaders, who will be available for youth projects and activities in the community. SYB, she added, will serve as a model for youngsters in rendering service to the community, and to support various productive youth projects.
Although Voice of the Youth SXM is a new organisation, the persons involved have well-established histories of working with the targeted group.
St. Maarten Youth Brigade will be supervised and implemented by a combination of paid and voluntary workers. A future goal of Voice of the Youth SXM's is to acquire a building.