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Basseterre, St. Kitts, June 23, 2026 —
Efforts to provide young people with meaningful opportunities during the summer months received a boost recently as the National Secretariat for Human Security and Wellbeing convened a broad cross-section of stakeholders under its Summer of Intervention initiative.
Representatives from summer camps, community organisations, youth programmes, churches, and other partners gathered on Wednesday, June 17, to explore ways to strengthen collaboration, enhance programme support, and expand opportunities for youth engagement across St. Kitts and Nevis.
During the meeting, participants reviewed research findings and local data underscoring the critical role of early intervention and community involvement in violence prevention. Discussions also focused on crime patterns that point to increased criminal activity during the school break, a period when many young people have greater amounts of free time and are more vulnerable to negative influences.
Senator Isalean Phillip, Co-Chair of the National Advisory Council for Human Security and Wellbeing, said the initiative demonstrates the Government’s commitment to addressing risk factors before they develop into violence and criminal behaviour.
“Summer should be a period of growth, exploration, and opportunity for our young people. Through Summer of Intervention and its Own Your Summer programme, we are working with communities and programme providers to ensure that young people have access to positive, structured activities that build confidence, strengthen important life skills, and create pathways to future opportunities.”
She added that the initiative reflects the whole-of-society approach at the heart of the Human Security strategy.
“Meaningful and lasting change requires the active involvement of families, communities, churches, schools, businesses, youth organisations, and government agencies working together to create supportive environments in which our young people can thrive.”
Among the goals of the Summer of Intervention initiative are the development of a national calendar of summer activities, improved coordination among programme providers, expanded access to positive youth engagement opportunities, and reaching an estimated 2,500 young people throughout the Federation.
Central to the initiative is the inaugural Own Your Summer programme, a collaborative effort being implemented alongside summer camps and community organisations. The programme is intended to broaden access to educational, recreational, developmental, mentorship, and skills-building opportunities while complementing the work already being carried out by camp operators across St. Kitts and Nevis.
Stakeholders were encouraged to register their programmes and incorporate themes such as leadership, conflict resolution, team building, civic responsibility, and soft skills development into their summer activities.
Coordinator of the National Secretariat for Human Security and Wellbeing, Eartha Carey, welcomed the strong participation shown by organisations and reiterated the Secretariat’s commitment to maintaining partnerships throughout the summer.
“The success of this initiative depends on partnership. Communities, families, churches, schools, camp operators, businesses, volunteers, and government agencies all have an important role to play in helping our young people develop positively and remain connected to opportunities that support their growth and wellbeing.”
Going forward, the Secretariat plans to continue working with participating organisations through programme registration, promotion, site visits, and the creation of a national summer activities calendar aimed at connecting families and young people with opportunities available throughout the Federation.
The Summer of Intervention initiative forms part of the Secretariat’s wider public health approach to violence prevention, which seeks to strengthen protective factors, reduce risks, and foster safer communities through prevention, partnership, and early intervention.
Source: SKNIS
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