At-Risk Youth Foundation spreads love and cheer

“Christmas is a time that ‘brings people together’. Its essence lies in the fact that people are encouraged to promote societal and individual values including kindness, care, compassion, empathy, and forgiveness.

“Christmas signals a scheduled period in the calendar year where we collectively spread love, hope, peace, joy and charity to our family, friends and neighbours, both at home and abroad.

“Christmas time around the world and in Barbados creates a oneness among people that strengthens the very foundation of who we are. For these reasons, I look forward to Christmas time each year.

“Amidst COVID-19, I have learned that life is frail, and while we have to distance ourselves physically, we remain connected through our interdependence on each other.

“The challenge with this pandemic is to remain steadfast in being our brother’s keeper, paying attention to the things that truly matter and letting go of what doesn’t. The essence of any stable society is rooted in love and charity,” says Founding Director of the At-risk Youth Foundation, Dr. Lisa Jaggernauth.

While the members and volunteers of the At-risk Youth Foundation continue to work specifically with young people to support them out of disadvantaged circumstances, Christmas is a special time when we extend our resources to vulnerable families and communities as a whole.

This season the need for support was more demanding as parents faced with unemployment struggle to adequately provide for their children.

There is no doubt that the coronavirus has further affected already strained finances and resources for several young, single-parent mothers in low-income households.

This year, some students from the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus who are part of the Ministry of Education’s Give Back Programme joined with volunteers of the At-risk Youth Foundation to prepare and deliver just over 250 hampers full of food stuff for vulnerable children and families.

The majority of the food items were provided through the kind support of corporate organisations and NGOs, business houses in the private sector, and civic society.

The Foundation’s Special Events Committee chaired by Scarlette Clarke (Christmas Hamper Project) and Troy Arthur (Christmas Celebrations) decided to give the children a treat of their own and embarked on a community-based Christmas programme of cheer.

The event included decorating a small play area near the basketball court in St Matthias Housing Area and showcasing the talents and skills of young people. Activities included performances by the Haynesville Youth Group, soca artist Damian Marvay, Aliah Callender on the clarinet, and a performance by dancer Ursel Friere.

Games and gifts were a central focus in bringing cheer to the little ones. Parents and adults also joined in to give the children a merry and bright Christmas time.

The basketball coach of the Sports committee,  Richard Bennett, continued the Christmas celebrations with a basketball tournament amongst the youngsters in the St Matthias community on Monday, December 28, 2020.

The Founding Directors Dr Lisa Jaggernauth and sister  Scarlette Clarke join with the members and volunteers of the At-risk Youth Foundation to wish you and your family a healthy, blessed, safe and prosperous 2021. (PR)