As Saint Lucia moves toward establishing an integrated youth rehabilitation facility for boys and girls, the Boys Training Centre (BTC) is set to celebrate a major milestone—65 years of guiding and rehabilitating young men in need.
For over six decades, the BTC has been a sanctuary for juvenile offenders and boys requiring care and protection due to abuse, neglect, or abandonment. The Centre has played a crucial role in shaping lives, offering academic education, vocational training, and life skills to help them reintegrate into society.
Leanna Wallace, Manager of the Boys Training Centre, acknowledges the public’s focus on the challenges associated with the institution but stresses the importance of recognizing its successes. “Many will think of the negativity when it comes to the Boys Training Centre, but this institution has impacted many lives positively. We don’t hear about the boys who now own their own businesses or the ones who became police officers because we tend to focus on the negative. But we want to change that image. With our 65th anniversary, we want to educate the public about the true impact of this Centre.”
The institution has planned a series of activities under the theme “65 Years of Resilience: Committed to Empowering and Transforming Lives for a Better Future.” These events aim to foster partnerships, raise awareness, and reshape public perceptions of BTC’s contributions. Among the key activities is an Open Day on February 18, welcoming selected students from District One schools to experience firsthand the work being done at the Centre. This will be followed by an ecumenical service on February 20, the official anniversary date, marking the occasion with a spirit of reflection and renewal.
While the BTC remains a pillar of resilience and mentorship, Wallace emphasizes that this anniversary is not just about commemorating the past but about reaffirming the Centre’s commitment to empowering young men and ensuring every boy has the opportunity to succeed
