Media WriterYouths For Excellence (YFE), a registered charity for the holistic development of underserved youth, has launched an internship programme. Applications opened on Monday, March 1, 2021. Nine exceptional students will be selected from high schools and universities across the Caribbean and given a rare opportunity to lead regional change. They will work alongside the executive board of YFE, the Advisory Board and Board of Directors that are composed of current and former Ministers of Government across several nations, heads of multinational corporations, founders of foundations and renowned policy researchers. This gives Caribbean students an immersive experience in the world of policy advocacy and non-profit governance. The application is open to all Caribbean nationals and is accessible on the charity’s website: www.youthsforexcellence.org .
Youths For Excellence was founded in 2015 by Board Chair and President Jénine Shepherd. She recognised the effects of social and economic deprivation on young children as they prepare for and sit their exit exams. “These results can shape the life prospects of children for years to come, and the playing field is not level. Children in inner-city communities face barriers in so many aspects: a whole systems approach is necessary for their education and upliftment” said Jénine. Since its inception, YFE has championed a holistic method of educational intervention. The organisation has assisted children to receive not only textbooks, but also tablets, health checkups, bus passes, grocery vouchers and resources for their parents, to facilitate employment.
For her work with YFE, Founder Jénine Shepherd received recognition from The Office of the Prime Minister via a Prime Minister’s Youth Award for Excellence in the category of Nation Building in 2018. Youths for Excellence’s inaugural Back to School drive was staged in 2019 at the Prime Minister’s Office. The Guest Speaker was then Minister of Science and Technology for Jamaica and current Honorary Advisor on Education to Youths For Excellence, The Honourable Fayval Williams, MP. “It was important to show the children from Cockburn Pen that they can be welcomed by the government to the most important offices in our country and that the private sector and their fellow citizens will support and sponsor their development” says Jénine.
The work of YFE has not gone unnoticed by those outside of public office, leaders from the worlds of business and education have also lent their support to the launch of this organisation.YFE boasts an impressive lineup of 24 corporate and government sponsors, Digicel, JUTC, GraceKennedy and Seprod amongst them.
Thara Johnson-Reid, Director of Communications for YFE, said “As a diasporan with strong ties to Jamaica, I’m excited to see the impact our interventions will make. This internship gives local students access to a group of luminaries across sectors, and helps to bridge the gaps in their experience as they enter tertiary education and the workforce”.
The majority of the work done by YFE will be conducted remotely, in line with recommendations from the WHO and Caribbean governments, to prevent the spread of COVID-19. More information is available at www.youthsforexcellence.org/.
Applications will close on Friday, March 5, 2021 at 11:59 PM GMT-5. Applicants will need to submit a resume or CV and answer supplementary questions about their motivations for the programme. They can contact [email protected]
