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VI youths get international support

-as YEP is accepted as Boys & Girls Club of America’s affiliate member
The VI based, Youth Empowerment Programme, has been accepted as an international affiliate of the Boys and Girls Club of America. Photo: VINO/File
YEP Executive Director, Stacy ‘Buddha’ Mather said, “we are honoured and thrilled to establish this partnership with one of the world’s most impactful and respected youth development organizations.”
YEP Executive Director, Stacy ‘Buddha’ Mather said, “we are honoured and thrilled to establish this partnership with one of the world’s most impactful and respected youth development organizations.”
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – The Virgin Islands (VI) based Youth Empowerment Programme (YEP) has been accepted as an international affiliate of the Boys and Girls Club of America (BGCA)—a world-leading youth development organisation.

Making the announcement, YEP Executive Director, Stacy ‘Buddha’ Mather, said in a press statement issued today, August 22, 2018, “we are honoured and thrilled to establish this partnership with one of the world’s most impactful and respected youth development organizations.”

YEP’s affiliation with BCGA was made possible by the Asbury Park, New Jersey Boys and Girls Club, which agreed to sponsor the local VI organisation.

Under the affiliation agreement YEP will gain access to BCGA’s acclaimed programmes, best practices, assessment instruments, online training and other tools.

Empowered Millions

“We are eager now to learn from BGCA, which has empowered millions of young people to realize their full potential,” YEP founder, Dr Henry Jarecki added, saying, “as a native son of Asbury Park, NJ, I was so pleased to see the BCGA of my home town welcome into the fold this programme, which we established to aid the youth of my adopted home in the BVI.”

He noted that compared to BCGA, YEP is still itself in a youthful stage, but “we have great ambitions and are certain that with BCGA’s guidance and support we will be able to do even more.”

Glenn Permuy the Senior Executive of International Support, stated that the Boys & Girls Clubs of America – International Support Service, “is happy to have YEP in the British Virgin Islands as part of its global efforts to help children of all nations reach their full potential.”

BGCA has been in operation for over a century and currently runs over 4000 clubs, serving over 4 million youths ages 4 – 18. It is widely regarded as among the world’s premier organizations for serving youth of all different backgrounds.

As part of its mission, BGCA has established a programme to associate with youth clubs in other nations and has existing affiliate relationships in Haiti, Jamaica, Colombia, South Africa and numerous other countries.

The VI’s YEP is described as a proven program that has been making a huge difference for children of all ages for a number of years.

Since its establishment in 2006, YEP has provided programming and support to over 3,000 local youths. Most recently YEP concluded its 12th year of summer programmes for local youth, providing 150 young persons with 10-weeks of free educational and engaging activities.

5 Responses to “VI youths get international support ”

  • Great going (22/08/2018, 15:11) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    This is great news. Keep up the great work you guys. Stacy you are a gem!
  • Gumption.Official (22/08/2018, 16:11) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply

    While I congratulate my brother for doing an awesome job I’ll like to vent a bit.

    When will VG finally get something like this going? Why so many excuses in getting something like this on VG? Are We going to wait until our youths become 7.0 of a nuisance In our community? The rate we at now is 5.3 and climbing. VG is overdue for a MALE program. I’ve tried for 6 years to get something going called (ISPY) I Support Positive Youths) < https://www.facebook.com/I-Support-Positive-Youths-401365906653437/ > No one never ask how they can help to get it going. We have a pot on the stove and about to bolid over heavy issues on VG if we don’t step up we will just have to live with our results. Our park in the Valley is the new block. It’s the hit spot for smoking and sexing! Way too much decent students and people who’s trying to do something productive! They’re looking for an initiative Like YEP /MALE etc. It dohave to me mine or I don’t need to be involved nevertheless we need a (decent passion) initiative on VG ASAP. VG also needs its passionate home grown islanders to endorse her and help end the madness that’s taken place. We’re responsible
    for a lot of things. We men and woman have a roll to play! Either we’re for uplifting VG or downgrading VG. Let’s do it together!
    • @Creque..aka Gumption (22/08/2018, 20:47) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
      You’re in VG where the wealth as ayo like to say is concentrated! All those affluent friends of yours can’t assist you yet?!?! You seem passionate about the youth development over here so start a committee of like minded individuals and get it going on your own. YEP and MALE are non-profits - therefore they gotta BEG for support. What happen to all the big name locals over there? They can’t come together and start an initiative like what you’ve suggested? Stop bawl and start working son!
      • Gumption.Official (23/08/2018, 07:26) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
        @creque. All of our local big names over here 90% of them are for themselves. Those who’s in business don’t seem to have a positive purpose beyond profits. They only care for themselves. The same big name locals only checked for themselves post Irima. Only care for money. It’s hard to find likeminded individuals to get involved as all you will here is (I’m busy I’m busy). Over on VG it’s not about Purpose or cause, it’s about who. I’m not just complaining I’ve been working. Been using both my skills and profits to get things done. We (me) have tons of evidence on Facebook page called (I support positive youths). As for the Wealthy affluent, I strongly believe they can’t and shouldn’t do everything. I don’t believe it’s fair for them to do everything. Especially when it comes to our own direct community, to our children. We have enough people on the island (locals) that if they really wanted to end the smoking and sexing at the valley park stop they can. We have enough businesses /power locals on VG to do the most amazing things, we just haven’t figured out how not to be a crab in a bucket. Like you said (keep working, it’s hard to cry while seeing what the community is coming to. Maybe I shouldn’t worry too much since the youths who I’m fighting for ain’t my children or we don’t share the same last name etc. maybe I should just focus on my 16th year old and make sure she doesn’t join those groups of nuisance. If other parents don’t mind their children at the park smoking and sexing maybe I shouldn’t.
  • Proud YEP Parent (22/08/2018, 23:45) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply
    Budha continue to do what you do and be who you are because you push for our kids and for YEP to make a difference in their lives. So happy for YEP BVI.


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