The Caribbean Youth Empowerment Program (CYEP) impacted the lives of over 200 St. Lucian youth, aged 17-25, with quality skills training and a recognized regional certificate that these young persons earned after many months of diligent work. However, the young persons in this program were more than mere graduates; they were trailblazers for other young St. Lucians. This was the first program that offered the chance for young prison inmates to have the chance at parole and each took the opportunity to change their life with a high-degree of dedication. Other youth in the program included the unemployed, underemployed and/or at-risk, however, each displayed a level of talent that should be truly recognized and they are destined for great things.

A congratulations to these graduates from the National Skills Development Centre, RISE St. Lucia and the Centre for Adolescent Renewal and Education. A special thank you to the International Youth Foundation and USAID for their dedicated support.