Choose Life International (CLI) was established in 2008 as a faith based NGO, formed in response to the awareness of brokenness in many lives. There are too many people who simply exist, going through the motions of life …without peace, …without fulfillment, …without purpose. At CLI we receive calls for help on a daily basis on behalf of persons who are so distressed that they are at the point of hopelessness, and they struggle with thoughts of taking their own lives. Our vision and passion is to ‘help people live’ and our initiatives are geared toward holistic development: physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
As my wife Faith and I have worked with young people over the past 30 years, we have found that many struggle with emotional issues. This often results in their academic and social development being thwarted. As a nation we have been confronted on a daily basis with the reality of the unhealthy behaviour of our youth. We have been bombarded with reports of violence, disrespect, anger, apathy and other maladies. It is our conviction that if we are able to increase the emotional capacity of our youth many of these issues could be prevented. Many times the cry for help comes after a crisis has occurred. However before the crisis occurs there are usually indicators of vulnerability, which often go unnoticed and unattended.
The project Youth Empowerment through Building Emotional Health, which has received funding from United Way of Jamaica, is an initiative in which CLI seeks to be proactive in order to avert tragedies and crises. In the first stage of this project CLI is in the process of conducting Emotional Assessments for approximately 420 Grade 7 students at the Spanish Town High School. The school will be provided with individual reportson these students, which will help in understanding the specific emotional needs of eachstudent, highlighting any areas of concern and offering recommendations for appropriate intervention. In the second phase of the project we will conduct Post-Assessment Therapeutic sessions with those students identified as being most in need of help. In an associated initiative, CLI will provide Capacity Building Training for selected Guidance Counsellors, Teachers and School Administrators. This training will assist them in dealing with the issues that have come to the fore as a result of the analysis.
Choose Life International is honoured to have the United Way of Jamaica as a partner and sponsor in this initiative. The donors of United Way have made this project possible through their investments. Thank you for your dedication and commitment to Nation Building. Thank you for being among those who refuse to give up hope in this generation, who see possibilities instead of obstacles. Together we will be able to provide assistance and empowerment for over 400 students at the Spanish Town High School. We look forward to continuing to work together in the vital task of preparing our youth to be true assets to our nation and our world.
