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RED ALERT: VI young men in crisis

-FTM/ZONTA partnering for urgently needed intervention to rescue VI young men
Statistics in the age group ranging from 15-30 years recently revealed that 45% of our young men have been incarcerated and is a just cause to raise the 'Red Flag' alert. Photo: VINO
President of Follow the Movement (FTM) Mr. Craig A. Lake say that their partnership with ZONTA will see a collaboration that is critical in the process of saving the young men of the Virgin Islands. Photo: VINO
President of Follow the Movement (FTM) Mr. Craig A. Lake say that their partnership with ZONTA will see a collaboration that is critical in the process of saving the young men of the Virgin Islands. Photo: VINO
Members of FTM met with some of their targeted facilitators last evening February 3, 2015 to discuss some of the topics that are to be covered during the upcoming forum for young men. Photo: VINO
Members of FTM met with some of their targeted facilitators last evening February 3, 2015 to discuss some of the topics that are to be covered during the upcoming forum for young men. Photo: VINO
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – “Statistics in the age group ranging from 15-30 years recently revealed that 45% of our young men have been incarcerated, 25% are currently booked for court appearances and the remaining 30% are of good standing and have productively stayed out of trouble,” said Mr Craig A. Lake.

Those statistics according to Lake will cause anyone to be startled and if in the position to, forge efforts to attempt to save the young men of the Virgin Islands (VI) from self destruction. “This survey has identified a problem within our community. We must be more proactive in order to achieve a decrease in violence and other negative activities taking place,” he added.

This has given Follow the Movement (FTM) a re-energized passion to stage yet another forum targeting strictly the young men especially those in schools today. To this end the organization has partnered with ZONTA Club of Tortola to execute a forum called ‘Show Love-We are responsible for this generation’.

Scheduled for February 11, 2015 on the top floor of UP’s Cineplex the forum which will take on the format of a seminar will touch on topics such as prison life, social media, peer pressure, domestic violence, purpose of life, anger management, leadership skills, school dropouts and consequences and tattoos and piercings.

Similar as was done for their forum for young women FTM has sought out resource personnel that are familiar faces in the VI that can be directly related to these issues affecting the young men as facilitators, a team appropriately identified as ‘industry leaders’.

Among the team are Ms Anthea L. Smith, Mr Julien N. Johnson, Mr Dion K. Crabbe, Pastor Melvin A. Turnbull, Mr Addison ‘Addi’ Nisbet, Mr Roger Mathavious Jr., among others including personnel from the discipline and correctional institutions in the Territory.

According to FTM the results of the aforementioned survey can only be labelled ‘Alarming’ and have given a clear picture that the youth population of the VI lacks self esteem, self confidence, love and the presence of a positive male role model within their lives, hence the coining of the name and team for the forum/seminar.

The interactive session is slated to be conducted on one day and anticipates the participation of some 180 young men from the 4th and 5th forms of the secondary schools and those in tertiary institutions in the Territory.

The topics were selected following discussions with teachers, leaders in the community, groups, organizations and the young men themselves.

Studies internationally have shown that the time period between childhood and adulthood symbolizes a critical phase of transitions and a crucial change in the cognitively, emotional, and social changes. While adolescence is a time of tremendous growth and potential navigating, changes in life can be overwhelming.

Last evening, February 3, 2015, FTM caucused with most of the targeted facilitators who have graciously jumped on board to do their bit in aiding the process to influence a change among the young men.

 

37 Responses to “RED ALERT: VI young men in crisis”

  • Laura (04/02/2015, 08:50) Like (18) Dislike (0) Reply
    The BVI young men have always been in crisis, but it has been made worse not by mainstream America (or nearby neighbour STT) but by the greed and lavish lifestyle of the parents leading these households. Parents if you lie to your children they will in turn lie to you, if you steal for them they will do the same, apple don't fall far from the tree and if your past involved doing bad deeds the curse may skip you and fall on your children. Live right and raise strong grounded young men that are able to reach out and talk to you when the chips seem to be going downhill. Too many young men do not talk, they bottle things up and become angry at the world....Our society offers fewer and fewer opportunities for our young men to thrive so we need to create fresh avenues for employing our young men to not just learn but play as well (nightclubs are not the answer). Praying for the men of our nation, they are becoming a scarce commodity!
    • Mick (04/02/2015, 16:35) Like (20) Dislike (1) Reply
      There is work in the BVI for everyone who want to work and make an honest living. 10,000 Work permits issued. The vagabonds here don't want to work but rather rob, seal and push drugs
      • Fed Up (08/02/2015, 00:18) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
        Labour department needs to serious implement measures to govern these continuous issuing of work permits while our very own young men in question remains unemployed. I have been privy to much discrimination on the job sites who has expats as supervisors. They always find a way to pressure locals so they would leave the jobs but in a short time you can see one of their relatives issued a work permit for same.
        BVIslanders, we need to begin to work together.Expats are in this only for themselves. They use us to get what they want which is work permits pushed through for every family member while they find every fault about Bvislanders and the BVI.
    • RedStorm (05/02/2015, 09:37) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Laura, I love your comment, because it address the roots of the problem. If there are going to be an successful intervention, the root of the problem must be recognize and identify. It should be law that people obtain a license before getting children ( it perhaps a far cry from reality) but it can happen.

      People have to be proactive in his community, because anti social behaviour has not work. I am of the opinion that confidential people must see to assist those who are become parents and give them the information to become knowledgable about accept principles of society.
  • wowwwwwww (04/02/2015, 08:54) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    Oh no BVI we have gone down the drain Smh after some of us work so hard to keep this place positive these nuisance
  • Yute (04/02/2015, 09:05) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Very sad state of affairs
  • Fix the family (04/02/2015, 09:16) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply
    Until we fix the family and a values system that says corruption and crime are OK- and a hypocritical church- then welcome TOP THE NEW REALITY
  • wow (04/02/2015, 10:04) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    are these our future leaders smh
    • Sue (04/02/2015, 13:39) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
      My thought on this is that they need to have experienced persons who knew life's challenges. The panelist seems like just professionals who have no idea what issues these guys may have faced.
  • solution (04/02/2015, 10:05) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    This is a two step process solution. These young men need to take school serious and value education (that's on thier behalf. After getting a good education they need to be provided with job opportunities to maximize thier potential. Take it from a former convict this is our only ultimatum. Young men don't consciously want to stay in trouble, it's just that we try to take the easy way out early and end up "humbug" later on. Young women are taking over the job positions and some aren't even competent. We need to promote why is "gangsta" to get a solid education and be a man!
  • ooooo (04/02/2015, 10:09) Like (6) Dislike (17) Reply
    speak to the NDP because they want the whole world to think that all is well in the BVI and there aren't any problems at all- all is well
  • i from here (04/02/2015, 10:16) Like (14) Dislike (49) Reply
    Badness out of style!

    This generation want to sit down all day and smoke then expect $10,000 to drop in their laps and education to appear in their brain!

    Then it have a set that waiting for the Gov't to call them to go cut Bush!

    I wonder which Gov't have the young men spoil like this ? The answer is .........................VIP!
  • yahh (04/02/2015, 10:18) Like (67) Dislike (1) Reply
    starting with paying the people you owe trash.... you owe people on the street for years......
  • Hmm (04/02/2015, 10:25) Like (28) Dislike (0) Reply
    Nice move, but when you disrespect the peace officers in public I wonder what message you yourself spreading.
    • Yes (04/02/2015, 11:21) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
      ask miss p!
      • Sigh (05/02/2015, 11:51) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        I miss that one.When did Ms P disrespect the peace officers in public? Just asking. Hope this is not just another casual slanderous statement that has now been made fshianable.
  • yes (04/02/2015, 10:53) Like (35) Dislike (1) Reply

    Craig what are you really trying to bring across, is this something new for us to read.....................you looking FAME, boy go sit down, this aint it going to happen for your shine, PLEASE GO PAY THE PEOPLE YOU OWE FOR THE AWARD SHOW, YOU JUST GETTING PEOPLE P... OFF RIGHT NOW! Theres better things out there to turn to, from putting this pictures up right now..............its licks you looking right now.

    • Please come by (04/02/2015, 13:35) Like (13) Dislike (4) Reply
      It's amazing how you make this all about Craig. What are you doing to help? Come forward with a solution or a project that will help instead of promoting propaganda and your own agenda. Negative is so easy to throw out but I'm sure someone like you have nothing to bring to the table. Continue to hide behind your blog and watch your computer screen, but do us positive people who want to see things in the country get better a favour - step up for the better or shut up! You could probably benefit from the seminar so I suggest you pass by.
      • tretretrete (04/02/2015, 22:14) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
        I would like to think they know Craig, I was asking myself I wonder what he stand to gain from this, and someone beat me to the punch
  • zoe (04/02/2015, 11:14) Like (14) Dislike (5) Reply
    we still not voting for push pop and his NDP BAM
  • please note (04/02/2015, 12:22) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Badman either ends up in the cemetry or penitentiary think about it.
  • joe (04/02/2015, 12:33) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    these young men have nothing to do and whole day to do it .
  • Joc (04/02/2015, 12:42) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    If this group wants to intervene, they need to start from the primary school level by mentoring young boys who are from single parent homes, or homes with abuse cases and family issues. That is the only way to prevent the crisis from reaching adulthood.
  • open wide (04/02/2015, 12:43) Like (3) Dislike (5) Reply
    What about the backwards legal system that's against locals
  • rewrsdffds (04/02/2015, 13:52) Like (4) Dislike (3) Reply
    So where is the work shop and seminar for the Parents that continue to neglect their offspring who then become our problem? I have no issue with trying to help the youth but there's no use dealing with this if the Parents are not at the forefront. They seem to think if they give them what they want and force them into the Church Hall every Sunday morning that eventually they will turn into a good person. Foolishness!
  • dude (04/02/2015, 14:04) Like (13) Dislike (4) Reply
    My 2 cents. These young people have absorbed the US ghetto slum culture, the young ladies too. but they have not been in the environment and don't understand that the bvi is garden and not a ghetto, that's why some ppl leave their ghettos and come here. But they are influenced by the Gucci Mane's etc. So they are lost b/c they don't know who they are. They are also ignorant b/c here to learn or study anything is to be a NERD. Which is so bizarre that people in 2015 actually think this, when int he USA to be a NERD is the coolest thing right now. all in all it is a reaction tot he leadership of the country over the course of their lifetimes, or lack there of. The lack of reinforced culture or understanding of what it is to be an adult and a man.
  • Complicated (04/02/2015, 14:38) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    This is a very complicated problem with no short term solution. Many men father children and never assume much responsibility for them. As any single parent can tell you, it's a tremendous job and responsibility to raise, clothe, feed and house children on your own, let alone without a father figure. As a society, we do not seem to value education. Although a lot of money is budgeted for schools, it is not spent effectively. Politicians seem to want to have systems that have high success rates, when in fact, making it easy for all to pass renders a disservice to our children. They seem to try to get around this by employing belongers in the government (1 in 3 adult belongers works for the govt), many in jobs that don't really lead to anything. This is not sustainable. Politicians, as leaders of this country, set a very poor example in terms of corruption, cronyism and glad handing, as well as self enrichment when instead, they should be working to improve the plight of the BVI. In this light, it's easy to understand why young persons growing up here feel a sense of entitlement instead of feeling a sense of hope and optimism that could be achieved by family values (encouraging our youth to surpass us), and setting the highest standards for education. H Lavitty Stout Day is coming up once again, but we all seem to have forgotten his mantra ran from the Bible "Where there is no vision, the people will perish". As you all contemplate the next election, ask yourselves and the politicians "What is the vision for the BVIs". What we see today is the outcome of past governance and child rearing practices. Do we want to continue?
  • under the bus (04/02/2015, 15:19) Like (2) Dislike (3) Reply
    just like in the states the legal system is set up to keep blacks in jail..in the BVI the legal system is set up to keep poor locals locked away and that is a fact
  • facts man (04/02/2015, 22:50) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    many of them do not deserved this!!!
  • RealModels (05/02/2015, 07:30) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I only see one or two role models from that table. Good try but we need real role models that have respect for others and self and the seminar should reach out from 1st Form not just 4th and 5th.
  • st john (05/02/2015, 08:33) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Thry need to send her back to st thomas she has over stayed her welcome
  • Yes (05/02/2015, 08:44) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    Is Bvislanders raise em, what you expect? lol
  • Dulcina (05/02/2015, 09:08) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Who are these men? What do they have in common besides being Black. What is their background..parentage and education,cultural background?
    Who are the 30% in good standing? What do they have in common beside being Black?

    A broader and more comprehensive study and breakdown would be needed if you are serious about any attempt to tackle the crisis.
    How do these figures compare with those in the regions where the now dominant BVI population with their respective cultures originates...Guiana, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Trinidad?

    What in the BVI needs to be changed? Is it the parenting or is it the parents we choose as new as building blocks of the new BVI?



  • Queen Mary (05/02/2015, 12:00) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Might be a good idea to consult with the nonwhites and the 30 percenters.
    What are they doing /have done to get it right?

  • My perception (07/02/2015, 18:59) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Ok Good idea. That's it good idea. Those people cant relate to the grass roots. Push pop pay the streets!! Cause you rubbing shoulders with the so call high society you forget?? Come on my boy! VIP!! The views does not reflect my party either. VIP!! fraser for premire!! I SAID SO.


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