The Minister for Grand Bahama Dr. Michael Darville told youth leaders to be careful how they deal with and judge the young people around them.

Dr. Darville was speaking at the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture Youth Leaders Certification ceremony held at the Pelican Bay Resort on Saturday, June 13, 2015.

He said, “When you have the opportunity to speak in the lives of our young people in Grand Bahama, those who are hurting, those who are confused, those who grew up without barriers, without borders, do not judge them. Impart into their lives and give them the opportunities to grow.”

Dr. Darville also touched on high unemployment, which is the most pressing issue facing young people globally and in The Bahamas.

In addition, he told the youth leaders that it is the government’s responsibility to ensure that “individuals like yourselves who are going into the frontline, into our communities and mentoring young people, that we develop a mechanism so we could interface through the Ministry of Youth Sports and Culture to organisations like yourselves.”

The Minister for Grand Bahama said despite what negativity one might hear about young people, they are in fact doing well.

He also used the occasion to touch on the success of the Fresh Start Programme, which is facilitated through the Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute, a 15 weeks employment programme providing young people between the ages of 16 to 25, who for a number of reasons are in need of assistance, with skills and experiences necessary to successfully find and retain a sustainable job.

Dr. Darville was pleased to note that just on Friday past he attended a ceremony where 60 young individuals graduated from the Fresh Start Programme.

He then thanked the 40 persons who participated in the Youth Leaders Certification. Those 40 participants represent some 24 secular, religious and uniformed organisations on Grand Bahama.

“This Youth Leaders Certificate Programme is one that should not be taken lightly because as leaders we are tasked with great responsibility,” Dr. Darville said.