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by pltm
[gallery]With the aim of giving back to the community and aiding in the development of youths, Managing Director of Clarence Thomas Home Center (CTL), Mr. Michael Thomas donated $5000 to the Youth Empowerment Programme (YEP).
In handing over the donation on Tuesday afternoon, December 11, Mr. Thomas stated that he was pleased to be of assistance to the Programme which plays a critical role in the community.
“Why not YEP? Who else does such great things for the kids in the community after school? I hope they build more,” he stated.
(PLTM) -
YEP’s Executive Director, Mr. Stacy Mather expressed his gratitude to Mr. Thomas for the donation, stating that it improves their ability to meet the developmental needs of young people that access the programme.
“We’re happy to receive a donation that allows us to put more activities and more resources into our programme," he said.
“YEP is the future of the community. When the community corporate sponsors like CTL recognizes us, it solidifies us, it lets our yeppies know that they are important, it lets them know that older generation and the business community is behind what we are doing. Expansion is what we want to do,” he added.
Mr. Mather added that YEP is also looking at the possibility of expansion.
“We have plans and we are willing to have conversations with people about creating safe spaces for our next generation," he related.
“We have 120 active ‘Yeppies’ registered at YEP. We provide health and wellness programmes, academic programmes, recreational programmes, community service programmes, sailing programmes, environmental programmes, cultural programmes,” he explained.
The Programme has had a very positive impact on the young people that access it, he shared, adding that in their almost 12 years of existence, over 3000 children have benefited.
Speaking to the impact of YEP and what it offers, the Executive Director said it provides, a “safe place to stay at. Over the years, we’ve seen reduction in teenage pregnancy…creating hope and opportunity.”
“We have provided scholarship opportunities through Cedar School,” he added.
