The National Leadership Esteem Ability and Discipline (L.E.A.D.) programme, which focuses on at risk young men, officially opened a three-day workshop yesterday in hopes of helping scores of troubled teenage boys improve their mental, physical and spiritual lives.
The theme of the workshop is “Stop the Madness.”
Research supports the fact that at risk teen boys are more likely to end up on the wrong side of the law, develop a drug habit and can even die.
While noting this, President of L.E.A.D., Troy Clarke said this is why he became so passionate about assisting disadvantaged young men.
“Disadvantaged young men are more restless, impulsive, easily distracted and are more likely to have repeated encounters with illegal behaviour,” he said.
“Youth delinquency is at an all-time high in The Bahamas and there are approximately 2,000 inmates in Her Majesty’s Prisons. Many of those delinquent youths and inmates never completed high school and suffer from a high illiteracy rate. We are concerned that lack of these issues will lead to further issues with crime and violence as well as a continued breakdown in the cultural and social fabric of our society.”
Mr. Clarke also spoke about the programme’s success.
“Since being established on September 7, 2009, the National L.E.A.D. institute has been helping men and boys transform their lives and attitudes through educational, rehabilitative and mentoring efforts,” he said.
“The National L.E.A.D. Institute serves two purposes: to assist in the reintegration of ex-offenders who are transitioning back into their community and to show high school boys the straight and narrow path while ensuring that they achieve quality grades.”
The two programmes are known as Project Re-entry and the Eagle Academy.
According to the L.E.A.D. president, the programme has assisted over 100 young men.
Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Dr. Daniel Johnson encouraged the teenagers who took part in the workshop to take full advantage of the programme.
“Use these three days to tap into where you are now. Look at your scenario, understand where you’ve come from but most of all think about how right now that whatever trouble you have been in or might have seen in your young lives, how that could change your future,” he said.
“On behalf of the Government of The Bahamas and the people of The Bahamas, I want you to know that we are proud of you just for coming here today to being open to what’s happening around you, we are depending on you but most of all we are here to help you and we will do anything we can to make sure you succeed.”
Officials said they are hoping to expand the programme to the Family Islands.
However, Mr. Clarke said in order to do that, the programme must have support from all relevant stakeholders.
“We are grateful to the private and now government continued support of LEAD’s endeavours. We look forward to the institute’s further progression,” he said.
