Fifty-three (53) members of the Police Youth Clubs (PYC) from across St. Vincent have
been sensitized and are now better equipped to deal with issues such as Teenage
Sexuality, Savings and Money Management, The Rights of a Child, Achieving
Excellence in Academic and Skills-based Studies and Employment, Youth’s Role in
reducing Crime and Violence and, Creating Personal Vision Boards. These were the
diverse topics that were presented and discussed on Saturday 03 rd February 2024 when
the Stubbs/Diamond Police Youth Clubs hosted their first Annual Youth Symposium at
the Hospitality Management and Tourism Institute (HMTI) in Diamond.
Forty (40) of the participants were from the Stubbs/Diamond PYC, while the other
thirteen (13) were from the Calliaqua, Mesopotamia, Layou, Richland Park, and
Georgetown Youth Clubs.
The symposium was held under the theme "Investing in our Youths Today for a Safer
Tomorrow." The main objectives were:-
1. To provide a safe space where young people can openly share their experiences
and build a network with their peers.
2. To provide an avenue where new learning can take place with the aim of
contributing to individual positive engagement and ultimately positive behavioral
change and,
3. To equip young people with tools and skills that will help them navigate
challenging situations by making positive decisions.
The day's activity commenced with an opening ceremony that heard remarks from Hon.
Frederick Stevenson – Parliamentary Representative of South Windward and Minister of
the Public Service, Consumer Affairs and Sports, Mrs. Merissa Finch-Burke –
Permanent Secretary within the Ministry of National Mobilization, Youth,
etc., Superintendent of Police Mr. Junior Simmons – Officer in charge of Police Youth
Clubs, Sergeant of Police, Mr. Stephen Billy – National Coordinator of Police Youth
Clubs, Mr. Osborne Bowens – Dean of the Technical College and Ms. Yoland London,
one of the Coordinators of the Stubbs/Diamond Police Youth Clubs.
The presenters were, Acting Assistant Commissioner of Police, Mr. Trevor Bailey, Ms.
Roselle Solomon, Social Worker, Ms. Candace Sealey, Public Relations Officer, SVG
Building and Loan Association, Mr. Osborne Bowens, Dean of the SVG Technical
College and Ms. Yoland London, Coordinator, Stubbs/Diamond PYC.
The symposium was financially sponsored by the St. Vincent Building and Loan
Association, National Properties Limited, and Government Employees Cooperative
Credit Union (GECCU); and was supported by the Government Printery, His Majesty's
Prison, The Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force, The St. Vincent
Community College and the Ministry of National Mobilisation, Youths, etc.
According to coordinator London, “The symposium met its expectations and realized its
objectives. It was a resounding success and could not have been possible without the
support of our sponsors and supporters and for that again we say Thank you.”
The next event on the clubs' agenda will be the launching of their Female-to-Female
Mentorship Program on 8 th March 2024, International Women's Day .