Building the assets of our young people increases their chances to succeed and minimizes their involvement in problem behaviors. This year’s Support Our Youth Month theme was “It’s Time to Thrive” to promote the assets that help our young people thrive.
On Saturday May 31st the Cayman Islands Youth Development Consortium hosted its annual Celebrate Our Youth Day. Although, the event was originally scheduled for January during the organizations observance of Support Our Youth month, shifting the event to May during child month was timely as newly elected government officials had an opportunity to sign the Supporting Cayman Youth Campaign proclamation that started in 2010.
Signing the document, the government officials, community supporters and young people showed their support for this national celebration of partnerships and opportunities and their belief in the importance of these opportunities for the success of our young people.
The event was held at Cayman Enterprise City, Signal House, starting with a march pass by the CI Cadet Corps, flag procession with the CI Scouts and opening ceremony, when the proclamation was signed. Officials and guests then had the opportunity to visit booths featuring various organizations.
Dr. Wilks shared her personal testimony of resilience after a traumatic experiencing at the age of five. “It was the involvement in various activities that helped me to remain sane, consistent.” It took youth meetings, Sunday school, sports, choir, music lessons etc. Connecting her experience to the theme of Child month “Grow as you go through”, Dr. Wilks pointed out the possibilities of the developmental assets to help young people bounce back and thrive. Dr. Wilks has dedicated her life work to the developmental assets. Her Masters thesis ‘Empirically Supported Theories and Evidenced-Based Strategies to Help Young People Enhance their Thriving Behaviors, Develop their Assets and Overcome Trauma.’ & her Doctoral project ‘An analytical overview of the national youth policies and asset-building efforts of Turks and Caicos, Jamaica, Bahamas and the Cayman Islands’ is a testament of her commitment to youth development.
Quote from Dr. Sylvia Wilks “I am grateful for the support of the Department of Children and Family Services and our ongoing collaboration. Also, I am elated that we will now begin to form Youth Asset Builder groups, starting in West Bay.”
Quote from Minister Isaac Rankine: “As a government, we will continue to support this long-standing event for our youth.”
Vanessa Burke: Who are we building for, why are we doing this? Our young people are not just navigating adolescence, they are also navigating trauma, lack of opportunity, and deep uncertainty about their future but despite all of this they continue to rise.
Department of Children and Family Services Director, Mrs. Paulinda Mendoza-Williams “Despite the challenges our young people face, the future is bright”
Everyone in our islands is encouraged to engage in, or support, innovative youth programs and asset building activities that ensure the holistic development and well being of our youth.
Government Officials in attendance: Hon. Premier Andre Ebanks, Hon. Isaac Rankine, Hon. Michael Myles, Hon. Katherine Ebanks-Wilks, the Deputy Governor Hon. Franz Manderson and Parliamentary Secretary Ms. Heather Bodden.
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