CSJP is a multi-faceted crime and violence prevention initiative of the Ministry of National Security which focuses on building community safety and security.
The legal aid service assigns experienced lawyers to handle cases. These lawyers possess at least 10 of experience as well as a handwriting expert for any questionable documentation.
Mr. Hugh Faulkner, the Executive Director of the Legal Aid Council was present at our visit to The United African Training Centre. He spoke about the Legal Aid Bus and its purpose, as well as some of the legal issues in which persons have come to seek assistance and legal counsel
Members of the community who need legal advice on any matter including divorce, custody, crimes etc can visit the legal aid bus. What is their reason for providing such a service?? Well, they strongly believe that the ordinary citizen MUST have access to Justice.
Devonte, a student at The United African Training Centre spoke on how the training and counseling he received within the programme has helped him significantly in his personal development.
The program has helped immensely with the improvement in his level of patience and anger management skills. He is now able to have much more fruitful and positive interpersonal relationships with his peers and family.
They spoke about the skills training offered at the centre and how those skills have lead students to meaningful employment and ultimately a better life.
The Social Studies session was on the topic ‘Family: Roles and Responsibilities’ and for the Mathematics session, the topic was on Consumer Arithmetic.
The East Queen Street Baptist Church is one of the sites used by the CSJP to engage at-risk youth in Vocational and Pre-Vocational Training. At this location, the focus has been prevocational training.
The participants were then engaged in an interactive session, where they relayed their knowledge and skills garnered in Social Studies and Mathematics .
This was another location visited by the IDB’s Executive VP Brian O’Neil and his Team as it highlights the positives and the sustainability of a community group which the CSJP has supported over the years.
The Bank has supported the design and implementation of risk assessment instruments, case management and impact evaluations for targeting at-risk youth under CSJP among other initiatives.
Mrs. Therese Turner-Jones is the country representative for Jamaica at the Inter-American Development Bank. Recently she was part of the Team that toured Life Yard and other CSJP Activity sites.