The Newtown Youth Development Program (NYDP) has the potential to become a model for youth empowerment across Dominica if it receives sustained community and financial support, according to its Chairman, Joffre Faustin.
Speaking at the official launch of the NYDP on Friday, July 10, Faustin said the challenges confronting young people are not unique to Newtown and expressed hope that the initiative would inspire the creation of similar programmes throughout the country.
“The challenges facing our youth are not unique to Newtown; they reflect issues affecting communities throughout Dominica,” Faustin said. “It is therefore our hope that the Newtown Youth Development Program will serve as a model and an inspiration for similar initiatives across the country.”
He stressed, however, that achieving that vision would depend heavily on the continued support of donors, corporate partners and the wider public.
“We will depend greatly on the continued generosity of donors, corporate partners, and members of the public, whose financial contributions and other forms of support will be essential to our success,” he said.
Faustin described the NYDP as “more than an organization,” calling it “a movement” aimed at reclaiming the spirit of the Newtown community, restoring the prominence of sports, protecting young people from negative influences and preparing them for productive futures.
He noted that while the programme was officially launched on Friday, its real work begins now.
According to Faustin, the distribution of sports, educational and health supplies donated by overseas partners will begin with the start of the new school year. At the same time, the organization will focus on raising the financial resources needed to sustain its operations, implementing youth development programmes and building broad community support.
“The responsibilities before us are many,” he said, adding that the initiative cannot succeed without the commitment of parents, families, residents of Newtown and surrounding communities, and the public at large.
Reflecting on the organization’s roots, Faustin explained that the NYDP was officially established on August 30, 2025, but traces its origins to the Newtown Juvenile Football Academy, founded in 1993, and the Newtown After-School Football Programme, launched in 2017. He said the organization’s constitution, adopted in December 2025, embraces the vision of “the transformation of young lives through holistic development.”
Faustin outlined several social challenges the organization hopes to address, including drug and alcohol abuse, unemployment, teenage pregnancy, school dropouts, crime and violence, and the decline of sports participation in Newtown.
Despite being a relatively new organization, he said the NYDP has already established an executive committee and several specialized subcommittees, registered as a non-profit organization, adopted a constitution, implemented financial accountability measures, begun first aid certification for members and successfully received and cleared more than $16,000 worth of donated sports, educational and health equipment from overseas partners.
Looking ahead, Faustin said the organization plans to renovate the former Roseau Boys’ School into a community centre, upgrade sporting facilities, secure scholarships and overseas training opportunities for young people, strengthen mentorship and spiritual guidance, and partner with faith-based and civic organizations to provide character development programmes.
He also paid tribute to several individuals and organizations that helped make the initiative possible.
Among them were long-time supporter Vivian Rene, whom Faustin credited with more than three decades of assistance dating back to the Newtown Juvenile Football Academy, and the Roy Mason family, whose encouragement and support helped inspire the expansion of the after-school football programme into the broader youth development initiative.
Faustin also thanked the Dominica Lotteries Commission, AC Shillingford & Co. Ltd., and the many other sponsors and donors whose financial contributions supported the official launch.
Addressing the young people in attendance, Faustin urged them to believe in themselves and make the most of the opportunities available to them.
“There are people—both here at home and abroad—who care deeply about you and are making sacrifices to ensure you can become better individuals,” he said. “Be appreciative of what is being done for you, take full advantage of the opportunities provided, and remain strong in the face of obstacles.”
He concluded by calling on the community to unite behind the initiative.
“Let us commit ourselves to this cause. Let us work hand in hand. And let us ensure that when history looks back on this moment, it will say: This was the day Newtown began to rise again,” Faustin said.
