News
New Youth Workers Hiredin Every District
(Standing)Acting Director, Dept of Youth and Sports, Mr. Dalton Watler withAssistant Director, Youth Katherine Whittaker, and Youth ServicesCoordinator James Myles. Sitting (L-R) are five of the new youthworkers, (L-R) Michael Letterlough, Joni Ebanks, Bessie Ardila,Benieca Thompson and Nathania Ebanks.
A cadre of new, enthusiastic young peoplehas been recruited in the Department of Youth and Sports to serveas youth development officers.
The six officers begin work this week witha familiarisation programme, before beginning work in their respectivedistricts. They are Benieca Thompson (West Bay); Bessie Ardilaand Joni Ebanks (George Town); Michael Letterlough (East End);Nathania Ebanks (North Side); and Sylvia Wilks (BoddenTown).
These recruitments fulfil yet another recommendationof the National Youth Policy. Other initiatives achieved so farhave included the formulation of a department responsible; foryouth; the establishment of a National Youth Council (headed byMs Jenny Manderson); and the establishment of a communicationmedium for youth (Youth Flex radio show),
Ms. Katherine Whittaker, deputy director (youth) of the Departmentof Youth and Sports, said that instead of hiring just a few full-timeyouth workers, a Ministerial decision was made to hire an increasednumber of workers on a part-time basis. "Having people ineach district allows the time and resources to be distributedwider, and should facilitate increased focus on both young menand women," she added.
The officers' qualifications include associatedegrees and high school honours, and their interests and specialabilities range from EMT skills to sports and accounting. Theirbackgrounds include experience as a Social Services caring homeassistant, Youth to Youth member, the founding of Cayman's newCommonwealth Youth Club, and coaches and church youth leaders.Their joint approach to the various projects in the interest ofyoung people is reflected in "...a passion to work with theyoung people of the Cayman Islands."
Dr. the Hon Frank McField, who holds responsibilityfor youth, congratulated the new youth workers. He also challengedthe new recruits to "tap into the activities, needs and concernsof all in their respective districts, especially their peer groupsand youth from all sectors of the community."
The Department of Youth and Sports is theprocess of recruiting an additional male youth officer in WestBay, George Town, Bodden Town and North Side, as well as two officersfor Cayman Brac. For information or applications, call 949-7082.