BCIC partnered with MYF to implement the BCIC YUTE Work project as a community-based initiative to celebrate BCIC’s 60th anniversary. The project aimed to provide 30 youths aged 16-29 years, residing in Parade Gardens and surrounding communities, with exposure to a range of prosocial tools. The tools include life and employability skills training, mentoring, job training and certification, and 1-year internship opportunities to strengthen their personal and professional competencies.
The project provided life and employability skills training using the internationally recognised Passport to Success (PTS) Life Skills Training Curriculum. In addition, youth were matched with caring adult mentors for a period of one (1) year. The mentors played a crucial role in improving the youth’s protective factors and aiding their career and personal goal-achievement efforts. Additional layers of Job Training and Certification through HEART/NSTA Trust and provision of one-year internship opportunities were also provided to stimulate sustainable and viable economic opportunities for the youths targeted.
The project provided social support through meal and transportation stipends, supported by The American Friends of Jamaica (AFJ), a non-profit organisation dedicated to supporting community initiatives in Jamaica. The AFJ played a crucial role in ensuring the sustainability of the project by providing financial support for these stipends. The project also provided assistance with registration for civil documents including Tax Registration Numbers (TRN) and aid in acquiring national identification.
The BCIC YUTE Work project significantly enhanced the socio-economic capacity of at-risk youth. Notable achievements include 76% of the youth trained showing a positive shift in their attitudes, behaviours, and competencies; 100% of mentees expressing goal aspirations and feeling motivated to set and achieve their goals by the end of their mentorship training; 83% of employers giving a favourable review of interns placed and 87% of eligible participants receiving job certification.
