Government has launched a Centre Management Committees pilot programme for community centres in Rices, St. Philip; St. Elizabeth, St. Joseph, and Drax Hall and Greens, in St. George.
The launch, held at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre, Two Mile Hill, St. Michael, last Sunday, is part of Government’s efforts to empower communities and provide structured activities for the island’s young people.
The committees are made up of nine individuals – a chairman, deputy chair, five community members, a member of a youth or community group, and a representative from the Community Development Department – who will be tasked with managing the centres.
Minister of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment, Charles Griffith, expressed his gratitude to the staff of the Community Development Department, for initiating the project, and to all those who accepted the invitation to serve on the committees.
“We heard the cries last year, and correctly so, that all of our community centres were being underutilised. Government, being proactive, felt that it was necessary to move to a stage where we have our community centres functioning at peak time, or what we term prime time in the evening,” Mr. Griffith said.
He also emphasised the importance of community empowerment and the role of the Centre Management Committees in bringing about change at the community level.
The Minister told the committee members: “This really and truly is not about you; this now is about the country. This is about how we treat to our communities in terms of development, how we provide structured activities for our young persons who may be going in a different direction. So, you are just the vehicle. You’re the conduit that will change and impact communities.”
The centres will also provide a safe space for young persons to study and interact with others. Mr. Griffith also urged the committee members to carry out assessments of their wards.
“I want you to look and see how you can identify that youngster at community level, who is doing well and whose socio-economic situation might not allow him to go to the next level, but a small scholarship coming from his community can benefit him,” he said.
Also in attendance were Minister of Housing, Lands and Maintenance, Dwight Sutherland; Director of Youth Affairs, Cleviston Hunte, and Acting Chief Community Development Officer, Yolande Skeete. (PR/GIS)