CHAMP Mentoring Programme in St Philip Organized by RED Foundation Inc., Featuring Soca Legend RPB

Red Plastic Bag is more than the iconic stage name for St Philip’s treasured son of the soil, the Most Honourable Stedson (RPB) Wiltshire – it also symbolises the RED Foundation Inc. whose patron is the calypso and soca legend. The foundation organised a whistle-stop event aimed at informing St Philip communities about the newly launched Community High Achievers Mentoring Programme (CHAMP) last weekend.

The event, supported by several vehicles, a music truck and volunteers from the RED Foundation, including RPB and his associates, aimed to raise awareness and garner support for CHAMP, a mentorship programme designed to assist children and families in need within the parish.

Initiated by the foundation last year as a pilot mentorship network, CHAMP pairs adult volunteers with children aged seven to 18 who require guidance and support, free of charge to their families.

Shawn Clarke, project lead of SMC Consultants, said CHAMP’s serious matching process is intended to create enduring relationships between volunteers and youth. He emphasised the programme’s commitment to safety and regular oversight to ensure satisfaction and security for both parties involved.

He explained: “CHAMP finds youths that are in need, and this may mean that they come from single-parent homes, have grown up in poverty, may need academic assistance or socio-economic and/or mental health support – and ensure that there is a safe haven where help is provided without judgement or costs. According to location, preferences, and personalities, a volunteering mentor is placed with a mentee to ensure that they are provided with the best support. We do all this based on the foundation of safety as there is an extremely rigorous process for the mentors to ensure that the children are safeguarded throughout this mentorship programme.”

The programme targets youths from various backgrounds, including those from single-parent households, impoverished environments, or in need of academic, socio-economic, or mental health support. Volunteers are rigorously screened to ensure the safety of the children throughout the mentorship process.

CHAMP aims to enroll 60 young people from St Philip in its initial mentorship programme, focusing on academic, emotional, and social support to facilitate their adjustment to school and home life. The programme pairs students with respected community members who will serve as mentors throughout their academic journey.

In addition to a town hall and previous media exposure, the whistle-stop event aimed to inform and educate St Philip residents about the programme’s safety and effectiveness. It also encouraged additional volunteers to sign up and contribute to CHAMP’s mission.

Alvin Jemmott, CHAMP’s co-ordinator, called on the business community, particularly in St Philip, to support the programme as part of its social responsibility efforts.

He said: “Companies have always found the benefit of focusing on social responsibility, whether they are championing women’s rights, protecting the environment, or tackling poverty. This is no different. Socially responsible companies show the communities they are in that they care about the people who not only work there but also the communities that keep them there and positively affect their bottom lines.

Highlighting the benefits of investing in youth mentorship, he added: “We hope that they too contact us as leaders in the communities and find a way of giving back either in person or in kind to this programme because once you are able to assist, especially the youth, you are protecting the communities you serve by reducing truancy and misbehaviour as these children receive mentorship that will lead to increased self-worth and self-empowerment and dismiss the negative pressures.”

Upon completion of the pilot project, the RED Foundation expects to have a positive effect on the lives of at least 60 youngsters through CHAMP, providing them with opportunities to enhance communication, personal, leadership, and study skills with the guidance of experienced mentors and volunteers. (PR/BT)