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SHOCKING: lack of funds means closure of Cayman Islands programme to stop youth crime

November 4, 2015

Honourable Premier and Minister of Home Affairs,
Honourable Minister of Education,
Minister of Community Affairs,
Deputy Governor,
Chief Officers,
Youth ACT Board Members

Dear All,

On behalf of Youth ACT, I extend a reminder invitation to the YCPD, for Year 8 students at John Gray High School, presented at the Family Life Centre on Friday, November 6, 2015.

I also take this opportunity to thank the Minister of Education, Honourable Tara Rivers for her support over the past two (2) years.

Unfortunately, November 6, 2015 will be the last time the Youth Crime Prevention Day (YCPD) programme will be presented due to a lack of stable funding. In the interest of transparency, I attach Youth ACT’s financial statements for the past two financial year-ends, namely, June 2013 – May 2014 and June 2014 – May 2015. As you can see from the financials, after the expenses are paid for the upcoming YCPD, our funds will be depleted.

It is truly disheartening to know that despite the increase in crime our Islands are experiencing and the constant chatter of investing in our youth, that a much needed and inexpensive youth crime prevention program is not supported by the Government on a consistent and stable basis.

My thanks to Youth ACT Board Members for their enthusiasm, support and hard-work. I will use the few hundred dollars left after the expenses for this last YCPD to host an Appreciation Event for the many other volunteers.

God Bless The Cayman Islands.

Regards,

Bonnie Anglin

Chairperson – Youth ACT

Youth Crime Prevention Day (YCPD) Programme

Honourable Premier and Honourable Ministers of Education and Community Affairs,

Youth ACT will be presenting its annual Youth Crime Prevention Day (YCPD) to Year 8 students of Clifton Hunter High School (CHHS) at the school on October 22nd and John Gray High School (JGHS) at the Family Life Centre, on November 6th 2015, dependent on receiving funding from the Ministry of Home Affairs. On behalf of the Youth ACT Board of Directors, we take this opportunity to extend an invitation to you and your Ministry staff.

Since May 2013, Youth ACT has delivered the programme to over 1,500 Year 8 students at CHHS, JGHS and Layman Scott High School. The programme is presented in an interactive non-traditional educational setting to educate our children on the causes and consequences of crime to empower them with the knowledge to make positive decisions.

This program has been endorsed as “an effective youth crime reduction programme” in the 2013/2014 Policy Statement and as “an intervention strategy to address at-risk youth anti-social behavior” by the Minister of Education; and supported by the Deputy Governor and FCO through the Governor’s Office. Below is an overview of the Lesson Plans that are presented for the Youth Crime Prevention Day.