The YUTE for Tomorrow (YFT) project exemplifies impactful collaboration and a holistic approach to empowering at-risk youth and the organisations supporting them. Launched in October 2020 under the National Core Partners Programme funded by USAID through FHI360, the project targeted young men aged 15-29, offering a variety of prosocial activities to reduce their involvement in crime and violence and increase engagement in economic and social growth opportunities.
Partnering with entities such as the Ministry of National Security, Department of Correctional Services (DSC), Ministry of Education, Youth and Information, and the Joan Duncan Foundation’s Conversations for Greatness (CFG) project, YFT aimed to benefit 140 at-risk youth and various stakeholders. It focused on students in the Career Advancement Programme (CAP) in ten inner-city schools and youth from four juvenile facilities across Kingston and other areas.
Structured mentorship, life skills training, and internship placements were provided to participants, yielding significant results by the project’s conclusion in 2022. Prosocial activities included life and employability skills training, mentorship, internships, vocational skills referrals, and capacity building for trainers. Additionally, cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) training and other add-ons were incorporated to enhance support for beneficiaries.
The project reached both in-school and out-of-school youth, extending life skills training to youth in juvenile correctional centres. Over 100 trainers and coaches were certified, delivering sessions to hundreds of youth and other stakeholders, including counsellors, social workers, and police officers. It trained correctional officers and administrative staff to provide life skills training. While 46% of participants experienced no change, 45% saw a decrease in their risk of violence. Overall, the YUTE for Tomorrow project underscores the importance of partnerships in positively impacting the lives of at-risk youth.
