Minister Caines On Gang Violence Reduction
The Gang Violence Reduction Team “has been hard at work,” Minister of National Security Wayne Caines said in the House of Assembly on Friday [Nov 1], with the Minister providing some “highlights, outputs and outcome data of programmes that were delivered during the summer and are now being expanded upon.”
The Minister’s full statement follows below:
Mr. Speaker, I rise this morning to highlight and acknowledge the important work that the Ministry of National Security’s Gang Violence Reduction Team continues to do in our community. Honourable Members will recall that the team operates from a coordinated plan to tackle gang violence and anti-social behavior through a series of strategically designed prevention, intervention and rehabilitation programmes and initiatives.
Mr. Speaker, during the summer, and continuing into this current school year, the Gang Violence Reduction Team has been hard at work. I am pleased to provide some highlights, outputs and outcome data of programmes that were delivered during the summer and are now being expanded upon.
Mr. Speaker, this summer saw the successful launch of the Gang Violence Reduction Team’s Work Placement and Mentoring Initiative. Fifteen local companies grasped the opportunity to host 14 student employees for a 6 week training programme. The programme’s main objective was to help at-risk youth develop the people skills and personal insights needed to transition from adolescence and anti-social behaviour to a life of meaningful work through a work readiness program and work placement experience.
Mr. Speaker, the programme evaluation data that has been collected highlights the positive outcomes of the initiative. One hundred percent of the selected students participated in a Work Readiness Workshop. Thirteen of the 14 students completed the entire 6 week programme. Twelve of the 14 students never missed a scheduled work day.
Mr. Speaker, each student was given a job coach/ mentor who was responsible for providing weekly coaching/ check in sessions to support the young person during their work experience. These business partners demonstrated their engagement with the program with 93% completing weekly evaluations and coaching meetings with students. A total of 118 job coaching sessions were held by the programme manager. One hundred percent of the Business Partners have indicated that they would participate in the programme again.
Mr. Speaker, the commitment of the students involved in the programme was such that the Programme Manager granted 11 of 14 students an additional two weeks paid work based on their weekly performance reports and supervisor satisfaction. Five of the students have subsequently been hired in part-time or full-time positions on the companies’ own accord. An additional two students were offered summer jobs for 2020 season.
Mr. Speaker, the GVRT made 2 referrals to additional emotional and social support services and supported students through 4 crisis incidents. It gives me great pride to report that 13 of the 14 students in the programme stayed clear of anti-social behavior or criminal activity for the length of the programme.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to commend the Gang Violence Reduction Team for the outstanding work they have done with the Summer Youth Placement Programme. We would also like to extend a special thank you to each Business Partner who agreed to engage in this Initiative. Programmes such as these show our young men that there are opportunities outside of a life of anti-social behavior. They also give the business community a first-hand opportunity to help develop the work ethic and capabilities of some of our marginalized young people. The Gang Violence Reduction Team intends to extend this programme into the school year to provide students within the team’s high school programmes to experience meaningful work opportunities.
Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members will be aware that the opening of Redemption Farm has been a priority of the Gang Violence Reduction Team for several months. The Redemption Farm pilot programme has been operational for the past 16 weeks. The ten trainees have been identified as possible at-risk youth that are prone to anti-social behavior. Each of these participants has expressed their desire to redirect their life towards a pro social and productive path. Prior to enrollment in the programme, each Trainee was required to complete a registration process which included an Interview with the Program Manager, completing Trainee Registration Forms and participating in the Trainee Orientation lead by the GVRT.
Mr. Speaker, Trainees work Monday through Friday with each day comprising either Personal Development Sessions or Farming Sessions. Weekly evaluations are completed by the Redemption Farm Trainees and the GVRT. The goal of the trainee evaluation is to review and assess the trainees’ performance, aptitude and skill. These evaluations help the trainees to understand the areas they are doing well in and the areas they need to improve. The Redemption Farm Program has an MOU with the Bermuda Housing Corporation to pay individuals in this program.
Mr. Speaker, the importance and distinct power of education is a key focus of the Redemption Farm. Trainees participate in Personal Development Sessions, Life Skills Sessions, Job Readiness Workshops, and Career Exposure Sessions. As the programme grows and develops, GED classes will be fused into the sessions which are built into the Redemption Farm Training. Through constructive training and relevant education, the Redemption Farm aims to equip its trainees to be able to manage the everyday demands and frustrations of life.
Mr. Speaker, since the programme was launched 16 weeks ago, trainees have completed 48 Personal Development Sessions. These sessions include:
- Word of the Day Sessions
- Job Readiness Workshops
- Life Skills Workshops
- Career Exposure Workshops
- Financial Literacy Workshops
- Sessions on life and challenges
- Goal Setting Sessions
Mr. Speaker, the Redemption Farm Trainees have also completed 32 Farming Sessions which include:
- Introduction to Agriculture
- Intro to Tools and Equipment used in Agriculture
- Introduction to Garden Design and Bed Layout
- Garden Bed Preparation for pumpkins, parsley, cassava, thyme, pawpaws, and sweet potatoes
- Clearing Farm Areas
- Introduction and practice to Tilling, Planting, Fertilizing, Cultivating and Harvesting.
Unfortunately, Mr. Speaker, Hurricane Humberto created some unavoidable issues, but provided an opportunity for the trainees to learn how hurricanes can affect the production of crops.
Mr. Speaker, I am proud to announce that 98% of the registered trainees in the Redemption Farm have showed up to work on scheduled work days and for training sessions. Six trainees eligible to attain their GED completed the GED assessment and will begin GED courses built into the Redemption Farm programme. One former trainee was connected to a Higher Education programme and subsequently left the Redemption Farm. Another trainee left the programme after he was accepted into an apprentice training programme. The current trainees will stay on the programme for another 18 weeks with the goal of seeing each of them transition into full-time education and employment opportunities.
Mr. Speaker, the GVRT has delivered 90 Individual Case Management Check-in Sessions with Redemption Farm Trainees. Additionally the team has supported trainees through five crisis situations. By all accounts, the programme is off to a remarkable start. The necessary systems and structures are set up and functioning and the team have a clear implementation plan moving forward.
Mr. Speaker, at the commencement of the school year in September 2019, the Gang Violence Reduction Team relaunched its work with the Administration and Student Services teams at Cedarbridge Academy and Berkeley Institute. Alongside the Bermuda Police Service, the team strives to provide much needed support services for at-risk students. Honourable Members will recall that the beginning of the school year saw some increased tensions within the student bodies. In response, the team is currently visiting the schools daily to support the management team and build positive relationships with our young people.
Mr. Speaker, the team continues to provide various support services including Incident Management Support Services, Restorative Justice Sessions, and Daily Student Check-ins. We are also working with the school teams to provide individual student, parent and family support sessions. In this school year, the GVRT will be partnering with the Berkeley MILE Program and launching the My Ambition Program at Cedarbidge Academy.
Mr. Speaker, the Gang Violence Reduction Team continues to make positive influences with our at-risk population. We must continue to support the team.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
some people will believe anything!