Youth Department calls out youth groups

Basseterre, St. Kitts, August 24, 2011 (SKNIS): The Department of Youth Empowerment is currently on a drive to identify and register youth groups in St. Kitts in an effort to strengthen and streamline service to the youth population.

Director of Youth Geoffrey Hanley told SKNIS that several internal structures are being realigned due to the addition of new staff. He has assigned Senior Youth Officer Pierre Liburd and Youth Officer Kristen Hendrickson to head up the registration and in some cases re-registration initiative.

“In the past we have trained groups in HIV/AIDS awareness, needs assessment, project planning and development and other areas,” Mr. Liburd said, noting that registered groups receive technical and resource assistance from the Department. “Additionally, we are going to be focusing on Information Technology education and encourage more community involvement and volunteerism in the coming months.”

Liburd stressed that a new entrepreneurial programme is currently being designed with a view to foster greater involvement among young people.

“We want to partner with youth organizations who are serving the community. If they are out there, we want to know who they are, where they are, what their focus areas are, and how can we help?” the senior youth officer noted. “If we support each other, it will go towards the betterment of their programme, the young people in their community and the country in general.”

Ms. Hendrickson encouraged groups to answer the call for registration as recognized bodies can be recommended for regional and international projects and can also receive support in sourcing funds for projects.

Application forms are currently available for groups to register or confirm their registration with the Department. The forms can be collected from the Department of Youth on Church Street and will be available at all high schools when they reopen on September 05, 2011.