Executive Director of the Youth Empowerment Project (YEP) Stacy 'Buddha' Mather is optimistic that the Youth Empowerment Programme (YEP) building at Handsome Bay on Virgin Gorda will open this summer. Photo: Facebook

Recently, Honourable Vincent O. Wheatley, Ninth District Representative, along with Mather, Unit Manager Safiya Vanterpool, and Kim Takeuchi, visited the future home of the YEP Centre on Virgin Gorda. Photo: Facebook

Executive Director of the Youth Empowerment Project (YEP) Stacy 'Buddha' Mather noted that the structure is about 90% completed. Photo: Facebook

The project, which is a collaboration between the Government of the Virgin Islands and the private sector, including Unite BVI. The project ground was officially broken on March 23, 2024. 

Recently, Honourable Vincent O. Wheatley, Ninth District Representative, along with Hon Mather, Unit Manager Safiya Vanterpool, and Kim Takeuchi, visited the future home of the YEP Centre on Virgin Gorda. 

Opening with about 50 to 70 children 

“We're excited to be opening this summer, starting with approximately 50 to 70 children and expanding as we grow,” stated Honourable Mather.

Summer, although not a climate experienced in the Virgin Islands, starts on June 1 and ends on August 31.

Hon Mather said that the new building is significantly larger than the YEP facility in Tortola. “The building itself is 2.5 times the size of the facility on Tortola, which is remarkable, especially since it took 23 years to reach this point. But we're excited,” he added.

Space will be for youth empowerment 

In the meantime, Unit Manager Safiya Vanterpool shared that the building will be equipped with a kitchen featuring commercial-grade appliances, a dance and music studio, an arts and crafts room, and a multi-purpose room that includes a homework room and an innovation lab for robotics and multimedia activities, as well as a computer room. 

“I’m hopeful that this space will allow our youth to grow, explore, and expand,” she added.

Building almost completed

Hon Mather emphasised that “the space is for the youth of Virgin Gorda exclusively.” He is also encouraging the community to support the initiative by purchasing items needed to furnish the building. “We need the community to get involved with us. We're in the process of finalising our wishlist on Amazon, which we can share with community members. We’d appreciate any help with that. We already have most of the resources.”

Mather noted that the structure is about 90% completed. 

He said, “The programming will be free. We will continue in the same manner as the programme on Tortola, where parents don’t have to worry about fees for their children to participate. This initiative is also meant to complement the existing programmes available. We encourage children to be enrolled in other programmes as well. We're looking forward to fostering long-term community camaraderie, just like we have built on Tortola.”