(Youth Entrepreneurship for Self-Empowerment) focuses on serving youth from under-resourced communities across Trinidad and Tobago - through educational sessions, skills training, mentorship and more! Organization is a not for profit/non-governmental organization that focuses on youth entrepreneurship, self- empowerment and parent empowerment. (Youth Entrepreneurship for Self Empowerment) program
me was envisioned in 2012, launched on 7th April 2013 and piloted for 3 years. The programme started as personal burning desire to want to create a positive response to the increase in gun violence and gang warfare in the East POS communities and to create more youth success stories from these areas. The Founder of the programme, Nichola Harvey, go a vision from God, to create a structured success programme for "at risk" youths from her community of East POS on 12th Feb 2012. This vision was validated by trusted family members, friends and mentors and who worked collaboratively to convert this vision into a reality on 7th Apr 2013. The programme initially targeted children between the ages of 5 to 16yrs from "at risk" communities of Ovid Alley, Desperslie Crescent, Lower Laventille, Mango Rose, Gonzales, Beverly Hills, John John, Success Laventille, Morvant & Stephensville. programme was officially rebranded and the We Say Y.E.S. Organization was registered as a new NGO. The WSY programme curriculum is based on a modified version of the USA based, MarketPlaceforkids programme. However with the help of many local experts the basic curriculum was customised to not only suit Trinidad and Tobago's environment but also expanded to include new content areas. As such, the piloted one year programme (2013-2014) delivering 12 entrepreneurship and self-empowerment modules to the participants has evolved to a 3 yr programme and then a 6yr programme. Included in the 6 year programme is the Kisdspreneur/ Youthpreneur (basic concepts of entrepreneurship & self empowerment) level, TAP 1 & 2 (Tapping into Your Potential by exploring multiple intelligences of children and converting talents into business) and Achievers (Continued development path) levels. Whilst the Organization has continued to serve the East POS communities, it has also established a branch in Arima, targeting children from La Horquetta, Calvary, Pinto/Train Line as well as other areas in Trinidad such as Cocorite, Harpe Place, Chagaunas and even Tobago. Sessions occur three Saturdays each month for three hours at a designated locations with field trips and sales days at other locations. With the onset of COVID 19, the We Say YES programme pivoted into an online programme for the children and parents. However, face to face sessions will resume. The programme is supported by a Board, Programme Administrator, Advisory Committee and an Operational Team (Community & Non-Community Volunteers) and funded by both Corporate and Individual Social Tithing Partners and Self-Funding activities. vision is to nurture empowered entrepreneurial youth who are confident, competent, caring, creative achievers, contributors and leaders. We achieve this vision, through our mission of providing opportunities for both the youth and parents. Organization's future plans, include expanding to other areas in Trinidad, Tobago and Regionally and establishing a Youth Dream Centre. May God continue to bless this organization bountifully.
