PHILIPSBURG–The Voice of the Youth St. Maarten Foundation continues to provide structural guidance for youngsters on the island under its St. Maarten Youth Brigade programme. The organisation plans to host an open house at Milton Peters College in South Reward from 9:30am to 2:30pm Saturday, February 17.
The theme for this year’s open house is “Team Unity – Stronger Together,” according to coordinator Debbie Richardson.
Antek and BZSE Law and Tax Attorneys donated funds to the organisation recently for it to continue its programme.
The objective of the Foundation’s programme is to present physical, mental, cognitive and social education for all members, to promote self-confidence, self-esteem and higher-level thinking skills. Youngsters ages 15-21 can fill in an application and start their training.
Richardson said cadets post-Irma wanted to assist where they could and started to assist K1 Britannia Foundation in unpacking and distributing relief goods.
“Some of them lost everything after the hurricane, but they still came out every day to assist where they could. We also assisted Save Heaven and seniors that really needed help. Six members from the brigade also worked at one of the shelters daily assisting persons who lost their home.
“We have 40 members and will recruit 13 more at the upcoming open house,” stated Richardson. “We would like to expand our programme to 55 members. The youngsters will participate in a three-year program. These courses are designed to enhance the general knowledge and developmental skills of the young adults. The education curriculum will be reported in a manual and assessed according to the condition stipulated per position.”
The recruitment process consists of a screening phase comprising general knowledge, intake, physical test and medical examination. The training sessions take place at Milton Peters College and transportation is arranged for the young adults.
The Foundation was founded on May 17, 2013, as an independent non-profit private organisation. The initiative to create the Foundation came from Zulayka Peterson. The lack of educational and social activities to stimulate effective communication among and with youngsters and a strong desire to instil positive self-images without the youth were the key motivational factors for establishing the Foundation.
The organization has an execution team that is supported by a platform of mentors, trainers, a social care and welfare team, parent association and activity committee. Richardson invites interested persons who are willing to join or those who would like to learn more about the programme to attend the open house on February 17.
Source: The Daily Herald https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/73559-youth-brigade-still-strong-and-resilient
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