Youth Empowerment

[ Up ] [ Jost Van Dyke ] [ Youth Empowerment ] [ Elmore Stoutt HS ] [ Sandwatch Field Trip ] [ Sandwatcher Article ] [ Savannah Reef Photos ] [ BVI Science Fair ] [ Savannah, Nov '06 ] [ Anegada Iguanas ] [ USC Visits ] [ US Students Visit ROMPS ]

The Youth Empowerment Project (YEP) of the BVI Joins Sandwatch!

The Youth Empowerment Project (YEP) which is headed by The YEP Foundation. We are a non-profit organization formed almost 4 years ago with the goal of constructing a physical facility (youth centre) and programs for the youth in the BVI.

In May of this year we officially opened the first YEP centre on the Eastern end of Tortola, BVI. Since then we have provided activities for over 100 youth (we had anticipated 40 at most) in the surrounding area during their leisure time.

We operate during after school hours, Saturdays and school vacations, which afford our members the opportunity to “drop in,” “hang out” and “get involved” during these times. The aim of YEP is to provide a positive and meaningful avenue by which our youth can engage in activities which allow for positive outcomes.

Our program facilitators are primarily community volunteers who offer on average one hour per week of their time. This allows for the positive interactions between adults and youth within our community. It is our hope that the programs and experiences gained will decrease the recent epidemic of teenage pregnancies, crime, drop-outs and drug abuse in our communities, while broadening the minds of our youth. Feel free to visit our website (www.yep.vg)

Sail Caribbean & YEP worked together to enhance some of the beaches on Tortola through their Sandwatch program as seen in the photos below.

Conservation & Fisheries personnel injecting tracking device into turtle

Measuring the length of a sea turtle!

On a trip to Salt Island to see the salt pond

A starfish that was found at Trellis Bay

kids drawing a beach map of Cane Garden Bay beach