Empowerment centre rescues at-risk youth
Published:Monday | October 8, 2018 | 12:00 AM
MAY PEN, Clarendon:
The Nurture Improve Support Strengthen and Inspire (NISSI) Youth Empowerment Centre located on Bryant's Crescent in May Pen and formed in January of this year is aimed at making a difference in the lives of at-risk youth.
The non-governmental organisation, which comprises a small group of volunteers and co-founded by Sandra Watkis Madden and Sherone Elliott is already making a difference in the lives of students who have been suspended from the various schools in the parish.
In a sit down with The Gleaner, Elliott said they work with students who are on suspension providing a safe space where they can express themselves during the daily sessions with them in conflict and anger management.
The sessions, Elliott said, revealed several issues with the foremost being that many are unable to deal with conflict.
"So we have a conflict management education curriculum that provides different coping strategies and skills to help them think critically and positive changes to their behaviour," she said.
Since January, NISSI has worked with 38 students from Foga Road, Denbigh, Thompson Town and Tacius Golding high schools with the discovery that of the 38, only about six of them could perform adequately at the normal literacy rate. Responding to the findings, they designed a tailored learning centre to address it.
Agression from frustration
"We find that their inability to communicate and just being unable to read cause them to be more aggressive to express themselves and they are easily frustrated," she observed.
Elliott who said her passion is helping others to read, shared that co-founder Watkis Madden has a passion to see behavioural changes.
Running the centre doesn't come without challenges with the main one being lack of adequate funding.
To volunteer her time, Elliott travels from Old Harbour, while Madden makes the trek from Mocho, plus they have to deal with the rental cost for the venue.
The two are thankful to Gwen McLeish who also volunteers when she is in Jamaica. She also gave financial assistance.
Looking ahead, Elliott said their goal is to impact a whole lot more groups.