The Sandals Foundation, in partnership with the Violence Prevention Alliance (VPA) and Coca Cola Latin America, has worked to execute a transformative project focused on building community peace and well-being through active strategies in Steer Town, St. Ann, under the Positive Youth Engagement and Youth Economic Empowerment project. A major component of this project has been the Job Readiness Programme, specifically targeting 20 young adults ages 18-29 years, who have been selected by the Social Development Commission (SDC).
To embrace community inclusivity, the programme also welcomed five additional members of the community who fall outside the targeted age range but demonstrated a keen interest in participating, acknowledging the diverse needs within the community and the importance of supporting individuals committed to improving their family’s livelihood.
The project’s crucial job readiness component has since expanded, with many young residents of the Steer Town and Chalky Hill communities in St. Ann participating in a series of job readiness workshops and personal and professional skills development initiatives. This new facet has seen workshops designed to arm participants with essential tools for success in the workforce including resume writing, cover letter composition, workplace etiquette, and interview preparation.
Recently, 25 young adults were invited to Sandals Dunn’s River Resort for the staging of a Positive Youth Engagement and Youth Economic Empowerment event, consisting of a resort tour and motivational sessions led by a number of managers and team members from Sandals Dunn’s River, including General Manager, Deryk Meany, Hotel Manager, Melissa Clarke, Learning and Development Manager, Roxanne Brown, and Engineering Department and Diamond Team Member of the Year, Boysie Smith.
Guests toured all areas of the resort to give them a rounded view of the operations and appeal to their varied professional interests. Motivational sessions covered tips for personal and professional development, the necessary qualities to be successful in the workplace, and personal messages of encouragement from members of the Sandals Team, giving them an idea of the culture at Sandals Resort International.
Speaking at the event, Ian Spencer, Regional Public Relations Manager at Sandals Dunn’s River, said, “Sandals Resort International has been assisting by making their Learning and Development Team available for training sessions within the communities. Hotel guests were also very engaged, stopping to talk to the community members during their tour and expressing their appreciation for the work Sandals Foundation has been doing in the community.”
“The Sandals Foundation’s community activities have had a very positive impact on residents of the neighbouring Chalky Hill and Steer Town communities. Sandals Foundation Ambassadors have been involved in anti-violence campaigns, reading programmes, Peace Day activities, and so much more. Community members have expressed their profound appreciation for these, and other initiatives led by SRI and the Foundation,” he continued.
Steer Town resident and attendee, Sherrian Hayden, said, “The job readiness training at Sandal Dunn’s River was phenomenal. I love that the team at the Sandal Dunn’s River took the time to give us key knowledge and understanding of the workforce, and I want to thank them. It was an unforgettable experience for me and my colleagues in the VPA job readiness programme.”
Jonelle Llewellyn, Research Associate at the Violence Prevention Alliance, says the primary aim of the job readiness component is to equip young individuals with the necessary skills and knowledge to formally enter the workforce and seize job opportunities.
“Through our comprehensive approach combining psychosocial support with practical skill development we are not only fostering a safer, more resilient community in St. Ann, but also empowering our young people to envision and achieve a future filled with opportunity. This project is a testament to the power of collaboration and how transformation and impact occur when we invest in our youth's potential,” she said.
Since 2023, the Sandals Foundation has partnered with the Violence Prevention Alliance alongside Coca Cola LA and the Social Development Commission to educate youth, parents, teachers, and community members on alternative positive pathways to build community peace and wellbeing and increase employment opportunities for youth in Steer Town. These initiatives have included Child Resiliency Programme (CRP) Adaptation, Infrastructure Enhancements, Facilitation of Life Skills through Practical Tools, and Expansion of Interventions: Inclusion of the job readiness component.
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