Red Foundation hoping to expand programme for at-risk youth

The Community High Achievers Mentoring Programme (CHAMP), soon to be launched in St Philip to help at-risk youth, could become a national initiative if all goes well.

That’s according to Dr The Most Honourable Stedson Red Plastic Bag Wiltshire, patron and founder of the Red Foundation which conceptualised the programme that will be executed with funding from the Maria Holder Memorial Trust.

“I believe that this model we are trying to develop here is one that can be used nationally. Nobody can question the need for a programme like this across Barbados,” he said when the Red Foundation hosted a CHAMP town hall meeting at the Hilda Skeene Primary School on the weekend.

“We see our young children struggling, there are so many children who are at risk . . . . I know a lot of attention is paid to physical infrastructure in Barbados but I think it is very important that we have to build people.

“We don’t want to sit back and watch, we want to step forward and help… I think that some children just need an arm around them, show them that they’re loved and cared for and that people are willing to help them … and you would be surprised that you can turn the lives of some of these children around. So, I’m hoping this programme would be a success and I’m fairly sure it is going to impact significantly on the St Philip community and, hopefully, nationally,” he added.

During the town hall meeting, St Philip residents expressed their opinions and gave suggestions on the community-based programme targeting seven to 18-year-olds who live in the parish.

One of the most discussed issues was the requirements for mentors. These include having a connection to the parish, four references, a police certificate of character, and writing a 500-word essay explaining why they were interested in the programme.

While noting that the requirements were yet set in stone, the Managing Director of SMC Consultants and consultant to the CHAMP project, Shawn Clarke defended the requirements as he stressed the need to attract the best of the best for the benefit of the young people.

Several other residents asked such questions about the training to be provided for the expected 60 mentors, which will include five three-hour training days; and areas where mentors could volunteer such as in academia and cultural activities.

Wiltshire was satisfied with the response.

“I am happy to see people didn’t just come and sit down and not voice their opinion on what we are asking. Nothing is set in stone and I think it is very important that we listen to the people who we’re going to want to work with the children,” he said.

“I am extremely excited because this was always in my mind what we needed to be the centrepiece of the Red Foundation in terms of the work we are doing. I think it is a good place to start.” (KC)