Nation building through the development of human potential; Boys’ Town Golf Tournament Fundraising Initiative

BY MICHAEL THOMAS

Almost eight decades ago on the island of Jamaica, the government, in partnership with the Kingston YMCA and the Jamaica Methodist Church, established Boys’ Town, which over the years has served as a great example of partnership between the government and the local community in helping positive development of the youth as well as promoting good governance at the community, local and national levels in Trench Town, Kingston Jamaica.

Poverty, exclusion, inadequate, insufficient, and/or inappropriate socialization, lack of educational training and employment, lack of assets, property rights and access to credit, lack of decision-making opportunities are all contributing factors to the economic vulnerability of youth according to a report from the press release of Boys’ Town’s Toronto chapter. Some of Boys’ Town visions and goals are to;

• Empower people and communities, and contribute to nation building through the development of human potential
• Training in responsible citizenship to increase the capabilities of youth through education, training, and social networks
• Improve the quality of community life through access to services in an integrated community space
• Promote community development through capacity building
• Promote social cohesion and reduce the risk of violence through improved social interaction
• Promote social responsibility by inclusion and participation in a successful community institution

Appropriate policies and programs must be put in place together with adequate financing in order to address this issue, the report revealed. This is one of the reasons why the Toronto chapter of Boys’ Town are holding their 16^thAnnual Golf Tournament on July 6^th, at Remington Parkview CCC, 6400 Steeles Ave. East, Markham, Ontario. Golfers will receive a round of golf and BBQ Buffet Dinner. In the past 14 years, the Toronto chapter has raised and contributed over $45,000 (CND) to this charity.

Toronto Caribbean Newspaper spoke with Tim Escoffery, Chairman of the Fundraising Committee about the Toronto involvement in Boys’ Town. Escoffery said, “What we are doing now is supporting this charity that started way back then in 1940 as a youth mentorship program. It was started by Reverend Hugh Sherlock of the Methodist Church in a place called Trench Town, West Kingstown Jamaica.”

The Toronto Chapter of Boys’ Town comprises of a number of expatriates from Boys’ Town who now live here in Toronto, and they are trying to raise funds in order to help three schools at Boys’ Town in Jamaica. The schools accommodate children between the ages of three to six with much needed: food, school supplies, and sporting events, plus additional funds that are needed to support ongoing administrative cost, and scholarships. When asked if like-minded people can join his chapter? Escoffery answered, “We welcome them; we need all the help we can get, and we are always looking for volunteers. Community support and any gifts that can be used to raise funds for this charity are greatly welcomed at the tournament.”

“People like Collie Smith and Sir Frank Mortimer Maglinne Worrell, two famous cricketers; Thomas McLean, the former Camperdown High School and Boys’ Town footballer; politician Lance Comrie Deputy Mayor of the parish of St Thomas in Jamaica, and oh yes, the man considered by many to be the world’s most famous reggae singer, songwriter, and performer, the right Honorable Robert Nester Marley aka (Bob Marley) also came out of Boys’ Town,” Escoffery told Toronto Caribbean Newspaper. “There are so many prominent people that have passed through this institution he said, I don’t feel comfortable mentioning some of their names since I haven’t gotten their permission to do so,” the chairman of fundraising told Toronto Caribbean Newspaper.  Investing in youth is crucial in order to stop and remedy the rapid downfall taking place in these communities. We are better together Toronto; let us continue to contribute our time and effort into helping our communities that are living in the Caribbean.