Twenty-five-year-old Anthony Smith was on a path to destruction. Born and raised in the volatile inner-city community of central Kingston, he dropped out of school after only reaching the ninth grade. Smith admits that daily he would be bombarded with offers from gang members and other delinquent youths in his community to get into crime.

"That was my reality and it was hopeless," he said.

Two years after his father and brother were killed violently and his mother moved to rural Jamaica, Smith decided it was time to turn his life around.

In a search for hope and a future, Smith enrolled in the Boulevard Baptist Church's skill-training programme through the training organisation, HEART Trust/NTA. He has now made a 180-degree turn and sees the world in a completely different light.

"Since I came here, the whole script changed. I have hope now," he told The Gleaner last Thursday outside his culinary arts class at the church on Washington Boulevard. "I know what I want to do with my life and I know how to get there now," he added.

Given second chance

Smith is one of numerous young people who have been given a second chance through the programmes offered by the Boulevard Baptist Church.

Programme coordinator Carol Dockery told The Gleaner that the project, which started in 1982, targets youths who are in need of a skill. Through the HEART Trust/NTA, the church is able to provide classes in commercial food preparation, office administration and data operation to individuals 17 years and older.

At present, there are close to 70 individuals enrolled in the programme coming from communities across Kingston and St Andrew, as well as St Catherine.

Dockery said the programme has been a stepping stone for many persons, some of whom have gone on to land jobs in the hospitality and tourist industry in Jamaica, as well as overseas.

"Some have even gone on to own their own businesses, as well as becoming teachers," she said.

Dockery said the currently enrolled students have been doing exceptionally well. The church has also entered the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission's culinary competition on a number of occasions, last year winning more than 40 medals. This year, the group copped over 60 medals.

Targeting young men

She said she specifically wants to target young men to become enrolled in the programme, with the hope of bringing change to their lives.

"I believe that if a lot of them have something to do, then the devil won't find work for their idle hands," she reasoned.

Dockery further said there are opportunities available for young men who are interested, as males are in high demand as chefs. Additionally, she said the church has also adopted a holistic approach by not just providing academic and skills training to the students, but facilitating counselling and spiritual guidance as well.

"It's about the complete man," she informed. "We help them to realise that with God's direction, they can make a positive change to their lives."

The church also offers language and communication, mathematics, life skills, values and attitudes and employability skills training to the students.

athaliah.reynolds@gleanerjm.com