Are young people getting the support they need before their challenges deepen? A national exercise by the Department of Crime Prevention is examining Saint Lucia’s youth programmes to identify gaps, overlapping services and opportunities for stronger coordination.
That effort brought research officers Dr. Montelle Felix and Dr. Leonard Johnny to the Upton Gardens Girls Centre on Friday, October 30, for discussions on its work with adolescent girls facing educational, behavioural, family-related and other social challenges.
The consultation explored the Centre’s programmes and interventions, including counselling, behavioural support and services that promote girls’ personal, educational and social development.
For the Department, understanding those services is part of a wider crime prevention effort focused on addressing factors that can leave young people vulnerable. Educational engagement, emotional well-being and family stability were identified as important areas of support.
The officers met with Senior Social Worker Clarisa Alexander, Social Worker Monisha Hinds-Eugene, and Social Worker and Teacher Josephine Myres.
The national mapping exercise seeks to establish which youth services are available, who they reach, the challenges providers face and where stronger referral systems and cooperation could improve support.
Information gathered from the consultations will inform recommendations for better coordination and future programme development.
The engagement places early intervention in focus: identifying challenges and connecting young people with appropriate support as part of broader efforts to build safer communities.
