Following the successful launch of the "Get off the Block, Get on the Bus, Get Busy" or "GB3" youth project over a week ago, the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports and Youth Affairs, Ms. Rhoda Arrindell, will be hosting an "Appreciation Ceremony" for all the participants, mentors, sponsors and other stakeholders in the program at Le Charolais restaurant in the Maho Village, on Thursday, April 21, from 7:00PM sharp until 10:00PM.
"This is to say "Thank You" to everyone who has made a significant contribution to the program so far, starting with the participants who number about 60, and all the mentors and sponsors in this public-private partnership program," says Minister Arrindell.
"We want to maintain the momentum and the energy that has been generated by the positive response of the entire community to this GB3 program, and just before entering into the Easter and Carnival seasons, we thought it was only proper to get together, not to dine and wine alone, but, more importantly, also to finalize certain aspects of the registration, particularly with regards to vital information that we need to design a tailor-made care program for each participant," the Minister continued.
Minister Rhoda Arrindell added: "We will also have the participants pledge to reject violence of all kinds, including carrying guns, other weapons and drugs. This is important in view of the spate of killings with guns the island has been witnessing lately. It is also one of the main goals of the program, to reduce and if possible eliminate violence among our youth."
"The mentors will also make a pledge of their own, committing themselves to really being there for their mentees," the Minister said.
All the participants, mentors, and sponsors are invited to attend the Appreciation Ceremony.
"We have a surprise for them, too," Minister Arrindell disclosed.