Positive Pathways February 2024 Monthly Report

The report was prepared by Democracy International, Inc. under Contract No. 72053220C00001. Positive Pathways completed initial risk assessments for 136 youth from priority communities for the St. James Youth and Family Resilience Initiative (YFRI) and identified 133 youth at medium to high risk of violence. The organization started life skills training with 122 YFRI youth beneficiaries, with 85 already completing the full curriculum. The remaining 37 beneficiaries will complete their life skills training in March 2024. YFRI beneficiaries also started vocational skills training, with 19 male beneficiaries beginning a truck driving course and 11 male beneficiaries enrolled in general construction. Positive Pathways engaged 86 youth in Transforming Our Perspective-Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TOP-CBT) sessions and 138 youth in Set Up for Success (SUFS) sessions. The organization facilitated the first Community of Practice (CoP) meeting amongst TOP-CBT and SUFS facilitators, highlighting positive behavior changes observed by facilitators in students who consistently attend sessions. However, implementation challenges were experienced at several partner schools, including delays in securing parental consents and high school absenteeism amongst student beneficiaries. Positive Pathways evaluated six applications from organizations to provide parenting/caregiving support classes to the parents/caregivers of youth engaged in Positive Pathways programs. The selected organizations are Joy Town Community Development Foundation and Peace Management Initiative Western. The two subcontracts are estimated to begin by the end of March. Positive Pathways remains committed to providing access to life skills training and psychosocial support to youth at risk of violence through sustained partnerships with MultiCare Youth Foundation and the Violence Prevention Alliance. Positive Pathways hosted a career expo at the Flanker Resource Centre on February 23, 2024, in partnership with Sandals Foundation. The event attracted approximately 60 persons from Spot Valley High School and Flankers Primary School. The organization also partnered with the Sandals Foundation to host a community expo in the Marcus Garvey Square in St. James on February 24, 2024, with approximately 40 persons attending. Positive Pathways made significant headway leading up to the Community Empowerment Fair slated for March 20, 2024, at the Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Westgate, St. James.