The Blowing Youth Development Centre, a community initiative by members of the Blowing Point Community and the Ministry of Social Development to provide services for young people, is moving forward. The Centre, at present caters to an average of 30-40 young people daily. It provides homework assistance and classes in English, Mathematics, Information Technology and Reading. It is planned that in the coming months the services offered will be widened.

Young Stakehodlers in Strategic Planning Session
 

To further improve the capacity of the centre and to consolidate it’s position as a model for future government and community collaboration to ensure the provision of service for young people at the community level, members of the board and other stakeholders engaged in a planning retreat on the 2nd and 3rd May, 2008. The retreat was designed to engage critical stakeholders in the planning process and to develop model operational Frameworks such as a strategic plan, annual work plan, by Laws and budget for the centre.

Some of the Young People and Volunteers

Sessions were facilitated by various community members and supporters. Ms. Farah Mukhida from the Anguilla National Trust facilitated the strategic planning session; Ms. Navine Fleming facilitated the session to develop the by laws of the organisation and Mr. Brent Davis conducted the session on budgeting. Stakeholders present included members of the board, members of the Blowing Point Community and Representatives of the Department of Social Development, the Department of Education and the Department of Youth and Culture. The retreat was organized by the Ministry of Social Development, Department of Youth and Culture as part of an ongoing initiative by the Ministry to make available financial and technical assistance for the provision of services for young people at the community level.

Ms. Navine Fleming, working on Bylaws.

The Blowing Point Youth Development Centre is calling upon all persons in the wider Anguillian Community to support the centre through the donation of time and or resources; interested persons should contact the Blowing Point Youth Development Centre by calling 462-2792.