The Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports, and Social Services hosted a series of stakeholder consultations and engagements sessions on Providenciales and Grand Turk on 22nd-25th January 2024.
The multifaceted author, global youth & family specialist, youth intervention consultant, mentor, and motivational speaker Dr. David Borrows, and a delegation from the Bahamas facilitated the sessions.
This multisector intervention against youth violence in the Turks & Caicos Islands is an intentional and strategic plan of action and was organized and implemented by an assembled working Group that consisted of critical public and private sector stakeholders inclusive of the Ministries of Education, Tourism, Home Affairs & Public Safety, Health & Human Services, National Security Secretariat, TCI Christian Council, the Royal Turks & Caicos Islands Police Force and Turks & Caicos Islands Hotel & Tourism Association.
The “Reaching the Streets” Programme – Lessons in Reaching & Impacting Troubled Youth from the Streets and Gangs, was designed by Dr. David Borrows, with contributions from Dr. Carlos Reid and Dr. Eric Fox. These reformed men and spiritual leaders have dedicated much of their lives to accessing, engaging, and mentoring troubled youth. This programme equips experts and everyday individuals to intervene effectively in the lives of our youth, potentially rescuing many more than would have been saved otherwise.
To effectively launch this grand and critical initiative, an opening ceremony was held on January 22nd, 2024, at the Paradise Baptist Church in Five Cays.
Immediately following the opening ceremony, phase one of this multisector youth intervention strategy was activated and brought together key stakeholders from the private and public sectors, inclusive of vital governmental agencies, law enforcement, judiciary, social and community action groups, parents, churches, business owners and concerned citizens to discuss the issue of gang and gun violence. An opportunity was provided for stakeholders to provide the facilitators with insights on their outreach efforts, as well as gain valuable insights from Dr. Borrows and his team.
On January 25th, 2024, the same sessions and efforts were duplicated on Grand Turk at the Bible Baptist Church.
Community outreach and engagement visits were facilitated and allowed the visiting consultants an opportunity to tour vulnerable communities on Providenciales and Grand Turk to witness and interact firsthand with youth and community members in their environment.
Phase two of this multi-sector intervention will bring to fruition a massive and comprehensive Training & Development for all mentioned stakeholders that will provide persons with proven intervention and prevention strategies, improved knowledge and skills to understand the complex needs of youth better, employ trauma-informed approaches, and effectively communicate and engage with this population.
