March 9, 2007: The National Bank of Anguilla Ltd., has contributed a well-needed US$10,000 to assist with defraying the costs involved in the implementation of the recently concluded Youth Empowerment Solutions (YES) youth conference on Anguilla.

The Conference programme was produced by ManFocus, a Philadelphia faith-based non-profit organization, founded by Pastor Elliot J Harrigan, an Anguillian residing in Philladelphia, USA. The Mission of ManFocus is to create positive alternatives to crime and violence and to create practical programmes to address the problem.

The week long Conference facilitated programmes that challenged and sought to empower youth to lead a “crime and violence free” life.  The Conference also encompassed the tactics of the US based Youth Crime Watch, which will be tailored and customized to adapt to Anguilla’s youth environment, resulting in the establishment of a Youth Crime Watch of Anguilla. Other segments of the programme included a focus group for parents, the purpose of which was to analyse how and if family problems contribute to violence among youths. The Teachers’ session focused on methodologies to be applied while teaching in an environment of violence. An interactive forum for male students of the ALHCS was also conducted. This session dealt with various issues affecting boys as they advance towards manhood. The students were challenged to look inside themselves and to focus on their worth as human beings who ought to make valuable contributions to a 21st century society. 

The culmination of the Conference programme saw the national two-day session which was both timely and important in that it sought to put the youth of Anguilla in the spotlight, while helping them to lead, and make better choices while resisting violence.

The National Bank of Anguilla Ltd. congratulates the organizers of the Youth Empowerment Solutions Conference for not only recognizing the need for such a programme but for actually implementing it.  Today there are many cries by our youth for help and NBA is highly supportive of organizations that aim to positively respond to these cries. NBA recognizes the positive impact of such programmes on youth and is pleased to contribute this US$10,000.00 to assist in defraying the costs associated with the event.  There are tremendous opportunities for Anguilla’s youth to take advantage of, with the proper guidance and motivation we believe our youth can achieve great things and seize their rightful positions as future leaders of Anguilla.   With the rise in crime, violence and drugs on the Island, we hope that many other organizations would follow and take on initiatives like the Youth Empowerment Solutions Conference to combat these ills our society is facing today.  NBA’s support of this conference is an echo of the Bank’s motto “More than Banking, for we are truly committed to Anguilla’s Development” through such efforts as the development of our youth.

The local YES Conference Organising Committee wishes to place on record a profound, hearty thanks and appreciation to the National Bank of Anguilla for dedicating itself to the support of such a worthwhile programme on Anguilla.