Youth-oriented service clubs that endured severe challenges during the COVID-19
pandemic have not only survived the ordeal, but many are now in a position where
they are recruiting new members.
This is the assessment coming out of two days of focus on these clubs at an event
organized and hosted at Government House. Called the Future Leaders
Opportunity Expo (FLOE), it was designed to provide a platform where youth
service organisations could meet and exchange ideas and other relevant
information.
“Even though they went through a lot of challenges during the pandemic, they are
alive and well. They are now ready to receive new members, they are now ready to
provide positive programming for our young people and children so that they can
become well-rounded individuals; well-rounded leaders of today and for
tomorrow,” said Ann Jonas, Executive Assistant to the Governor General.
She revealed that the two-day event was designed for a number of organisations to
display information about themselves. In all, seventeen youth organisations
participated in the event. According to Jonas, the participants found the event to be
very helpful.
“They were very excited as they were able to network with each other. We found
that while many may have heard of one club or the other, they did not have contact
or other information to reach out to each other. In this location they were able to do
that; through the sharing of numbers and other information,” she added.
Jonas also revealed that several of the youth leaders were encouraged to have
others see what they are doing and in turn, they would do as they are doing;
serving and volunteering to assist the children and young people.
Jonas explained that all these events are being done in recognition of this year,
being the Commonwealth Year for Youth as well as the 50 th anniversary of the
Commonwealth Youth Programme.
