40 Deveaux Street
P.O. Box SS-19957
Nassau
The Bahamas

Tel: (242) 326-5781,
322-8335
Fax: (242) 326-3308

YEAST is a non-governmental, non-denominational Institute funded primarily by the Catholic Archdiocese of Nassau and The Bahamas Government. It is also supported by corporate and individual donors. The Institute is a community focused organisation which exercises no discrimination based on religion, ethnicity, class or social status.

Objectives:

	To improve the academic, vocational and attitudinal competence of male teenagers and young adults between the ages of 16 and 20 years.
	To help break the destructive cycle of violence, anger and crime in at-risk young men.
	To enable at-risk young males become productive members of society

Description:

A holistically designed attitudinal enhancement and job skills training programme that rescues at-risk young men from the hopelessness of degrading and destructive life patterns. It gives them a sense of identity and purpose, and teaches them a marketable skill.

The Institute is more than a school. It is an experience, where ordinary, committed, hope-filled Trainers and Volunteers empower hope-drained adolescents become agents of attitudinal and social change in a journey which leads to total human development.

Curriculum:

YEAST is a full-time Institute that is divided into two parts, combined to form the Adolescent Development Programme (ADP). They are the Personal Development Programme (PDP) and the Vocational Skills Training (VST).

The PDP is a fourteen (14) week course that provides the trainee with a spiritual, physical, intellectual, cultural, emotional and social (SPICES) foundation. In it, he awakens to a sense of his worth and value as a human being, while exploring his prejudices and complexes in a warm, family-like environment. He learns how to handle anger, boredom and loneliness; and since many teenage males between 17 and 20 become fathers, the trainee also focuses on parenting. In this course special attention is given to the male image in the home, and the importance of the father’s role in child rearing.

The main courses of the PDP are: Self Awareness, Spirituality, Parenting, Communication Skills, Numeracy, Counselling, Health Education, Civics, Introduction to Plumbing, Carpentry and Electrical Installation.

After completing the PDP, the Trainee is enrolled in the VST. This training is crucial to the development programme so that the previously idle youngster may learn a skill to ensure employment or self-employment possibilities. Through this effort, a culture of self-initiative is developed where great benefits to himself, his family and the wider community are assured.

Character Development Camp:

All trainees attend a 33-day camp during September. It is conducted by training officers of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force. The course is a 'Rite of Passage' for the young trainee, instilling self-discipline, leadership abilities, teamwok, land and sea navigational skills and physical conditioning.

FIVE-YEAR DEVELOPMENT PLAN

2001

	Begin expansion of facilities to incrementally accommodate 200 Trainees by 2005
	Establish $2.5 million endowment fund

2002

Expand the curriculum to include boys 10 —15 years old

2005

	Implement Early Childhood Care Education Centre
	Establish a Parent Outreach Programme

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