A contribution of $5,000 from NAGICO Insurances was presented by NAGICO’s Assistant Manager, For Sales and Retention, Ann Stacey Roberts (left) to Director of the Youth Empowerment Programme (YEP), Mr Stacy R. Mather, MBE. Photo: NAGICO Insurances

YEP has a mission to inspire young people to pursue learning experiences that will help them become socially responsible friends, neighbours and citizens. Photo: VINO/File

A contribution of $5,000 was presented by Ann Stacey Roberts, NAGICO’s Assistant Manager, For Sales and Retention, to Stacy R. Mather, MBE, YEP’s Director.

Yes to YEP!

“We commend the outstanding working YEP continues to contribute to the development of youth in the Territory, an area that is also dear to NAGICO. When the request for assistance was received, we had to say yes to YEP because of the consistent and organised approach to their programmes that get results,” Ms Roberts stated.

She also encouraged other businesses to follow in the footsteps of NAGICO and other community partners who are supporting YEP’s mission.

The expansion of YEP’s full-time programming staff in 2019 has resulted in a marked increase in budget. Hence, YEP sought community partners to help close a gap in operational funding, which has become even more crucial given the need to incorporate more technology into programmes due to COVID-19 restrictions.

More than 30 children to benefit

The grant will enable YEP to deliver daily after-school programmes to over 130 children and support the delivery of our full-day summer, Easter, and Christmas programs to over 180 children.

“YEP is grateful to NAGICO for their contribution which ensures that we can continue our work with youth in the Territory,” Mather stated.

He added, “During this time of uncertainty, we have adjusted our programmes to be delivered to our YEPpies (children) virtually for an unforeseen length of time. This financial contribution aids us in maintaining this experience and keeping our physical and virtual doors open."

Mr Mather added that for most of the past 15 years, YEP has provided programming needs for an after-school programme now serving 130 children.

Staff training

He said after the 2017 hurricanes, when children were out of school on shift system, YEP took on additional temporary staff to assist with providing for out of school children throughout the day. When school returned to normal in late 2018, YEP retained three full-time employees and two part-time staff along with a Director of Administration to assist in day to day activities and management of YEP.

"This has provided us with a pathway into the future of youth development in the Territory. These five persons are currently undergoing training to complete a Bachelor of Science in Youth Development Work through the UWI BVI Open Campus. They would become the first cohort of persons to complete training as youth development professionals."

YEP stands alone as one of the ‘few free’ not for profit youth programmes targeting the 8 to 15 age range.