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SPC provides money for CNMI Youth Empowerment Fund
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Posted on Jul 19 2000
The Division of Youth Services (DYS) received some $22,000 in funding from the Secretariat of the South Pacific Community to help the CNMI promote volunteerism among the youth.
The check was turned over to the government after the Pacific organization approved a proposal put forward by DYS to establish the CNMI Youth Empowerment Fund for selected programs of the agency.
DYS had over 130 volunteers last year, and under the empowerment plan, youth will be given stipends as an added incentive to work, according to DYS Director Eloise Furey.
“We want to give these kids and incentive to get involved,” Ms. Furey said. “We find that when they show up, they mean business and take their duties seriously.
Also, they pick up skills they can use later in their adult lives.”
Under some of the areas outlined by DYS, selected volunteers will provide child care services for parents attending DYS classes or meetings, serve as mentors, and assist in special projects.
“The real advantage is that the youth get into supervised, worthwhile activities that keep them off the streets. Also, they see that their efforts have a community-wide impact, especially in serving as role models for younger kids.”
According to the Commonwealth’s SPC contact and Governor’s Special Assistant for Research and Policy Mike Malone, a six-member management committee including youth representatives will be established to oversee the use of funds.
“This fund is only part of SPC’s broader perspective of youth development in the entire region, and the Governor thanks them for their generosity to the Commonwealth,” according to a press release from the Governor’s Office.
The Commonwealth has been a member of the Pacific Community, formerly known as the South Pacific Commission, since Trust Territory times.
