SOCIAL SECTOR INVESTMENT PROGRAMME
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SUSTAINING GROWTH, SECURING PROSPERITY
CHAPTER 3: NATIONAL SOCIAL SITUATION
2. C
OMMUNITY
AND
Y
OUTH
-B
ASED
A
CTIVITIES
Youth Based Activities
The increasing involvement of youth in criminal
activities continues to be problematic, given
its development and human implications
for national development. In this regard, the
Ministry has successfully engaged a number of
stakeholders in the development of innovative
Programmes targeting the youth. These
Programmes include the following:
1. Police Youth Clubs
2. Counselling and Mediation
3. Trinidad and Tobago Cadet Force
4. Youth Services Programmes
A. Police Youth Clubs
The Police Service continued its drive to
establish Police Youth Clubs throughout the
country. There are currently 200 clubs and the
membership stands at just over 6000. During
fiscal 2013, ten of these Youth Clubs were
established. These are:
• Edinburgh 500 Youth Club
• Rio Claro (Boos Youth Club)
• Mango Rose Police Youth Club (Laventille)
• Mayaro Youth Club
• Chickland Police Youth Club
• Caroni Police Youth Club
• Caparo Police Youth Club
• Success Laventille Police Youth Club
• St. Paul Street Police Youth Club
• Farm Road Police Youth Club.
B. Counselling and Mediation
Through Officers of the Community Policing
Secretariat, the TTPS also provided counselling,
mediation and intervention services to
approximately 194 students and parents.
The secretariat also conducted 49 outreach
programmes to schools during the months of
October 2012 to March 2013, with the major aim
of establishing positive relationships between
the TTPS, the schools’ teaching staff and
students.
C. The Trinidad and Tobago Cadet Force
Trinidad and Tobago Cadet Force aims to
introduce the Cadet Force into all Secondary
Schools throughout the country. Currently, the
Cadet Force operates in 46 Secondary Schools
throughout Trinidad and Tobago, comprising
approximately 3,000 Adult Officers and Student
Cadets.
D. Youth Services Programme (SYSP)
The Specialised Youth Services Programme
(SYSP) consists of a number of social
interventions aimed at the most vulnerable
and
underprivileged
communities
that
include employment, education, motivational
programmes, counselling and other activities.
Some are listed below:
i. Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC)
In fiscal 2013, the CCC continued collaboration
with the Forestry Division to assist in its re-
afforestation and environmental conservation
programmes. The youths were encouraged to
take part in the following activities so as to foster
their national pride and improve their civic-
mindedness:
• Lectures aimed at promoting patriotism and
civic mindedness;
• Participation in borough day parades;
• Painting of schools, cleaning of parks and the
compound of the TSPCA;
• Assistance to the elderly.
ii. National Mentorship Programme
In fiscal 2013, the National Mentorship
Programme continued to serve primarily as a
support system for youth ‘at-risk’, and through
the inculcation of sound values and positive
attitudes, to promote community wellness.
Through thisprogramme,40personscompleted
