Rotary and Youth

Why does Rotary see the youth as such an important avenue of our service? Simple, youth are the future and if we can help young people to make positive changes in their lives through service, we are positively impacting peace in our world. Youth programs are impactful and create lasting change. It is the youth of today that will be the Rotarians of tomorrow; they will also be our leaders.

In the month of May Rotarians focus our attention on the Youth and in particular service to the youth. Rotary’s Youth Service Programs develop leaders by providing learning and leadership opportunities as well as health care, aimed at improving the lives of young people who may, without our support, be at risk of deviating from a path to a better life. Rotary’s youth programs are geared toward waging positive peace in a world where conflict threatens to destroy the lives of so many. By inculcating the ideals of Service, Diversity, Integrity, Friendship and Leadership, all through Fellowship, we make a difference, we are the inspiration and we truly connect the world.

Youth Service is Rotary’s 5th Avenue of Service and includes programs for young people from primary school age up to the age of 30. Service to youth includes scholarships; leadership programs and service clubs for the youth. In our Rotary District which runs from the ABC Islands, through the Guianas to Trinidad and all the way north to Antigua, we support the following youth services:

· Rotaract for young people aged 18 to 30

· Interact you those from age 12 to 18

· Early Act for primary school children up to age 12

· RotaKids which is similar to EarlyAct but community based not school based

· Rotary Youth Exchange which sees young people travel to other Districts to become immersed in different cultures

· RYLA or Rotary Youth Leadership Awards , where young people are exposed to leadership training in a camp like environment

And in Saint Lucia we support Grow Well, Centre for Adolescent Renewal and Education (CARE) and a number of secondary schools through vocational talks and mentorship programs, as well as hosting Youth Symposiums and training.

Both RI President Barry Rassin and RI President Elect Mark D. Maloney have made Youth a priority. District Governor Dominique

Vénéré set Literacy as her priority for the current Rotary year and District Governor Elect for our District (7030), Trevor Blake has, as his two service priorities for 2019/2020 Rotary year: youth at risk, and Diabetes.

As Rotarians, we must be engaged with the youth, if you have not been engaged through Rotary, I urge you to engage now. Remember this is our future.