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Development Options (DO) Limited, the Project Management Office (PMO) of the Youth UpliftmentThrough Employment (YUTE) Programme, recently welcomed 19volunteers to its mentorship programme following a comprehensive one-day training in preparation for working with YUTE participants. They join a cohort of over 600 volunteers who provide support, guidance and advice to young adults preparing for employment.

Mentorship is an integral part of the YUTE programme. The volunteers support participants who are making an effort to positively engage with the wider society. Mentors provide criticalencouragement and guidance to help mentees develop and reach positive academic, career, personal and social goals.

“We have just over 1,600 young persons in our Programme accessing some 2,400 individual opportunities. However, there is an immediate need for another 200 adult mentors to support participants currently engaged in vocational skills training”, said Melissa Johnson, Project Officer at DO and Co-ordinatorfor the Mentorship programme.

This latest cohort comprising largely of University students, educators and social workerswere themselves coached on the most effective means to support the reinvestment process of youths as they explored topics ranging from the building of mentorship relationships, to conflict resolution,goal setting and human behaviour. Training was conducted by facilitators the National Youth Service (NYS).

The YUTE Programme is a 2½ year initiative that was designed in response to the sustained levels of antisocial behaviour, violence and crime within inner-city communities, supporting the national agenda to roll out an aggressive programme of inner-city renewal. It seeks to increase the marketability of unattached youths through its employment, entrepreneurship and mentorship initiatives that equip participants with employability and life skills. The programme is made possible with the support of private sector companies, international development partners and the Government of Jamaica.