Court Street will be a little bit brighter thanks to the efforts of three teenagers.

When Sylede’sha Dill, Gershone Tait and Toschella Trott, all M3 Dellwood School graduates, got tired of “reading gossip, swear words, and negative messages on the back of bathroom doors”, they decided to do something about it.

Wanting to make their community a better place, they originally thought aboout painting positive messages on the back of the doors to remind people to be “the best they can be”.

But - after discussions - they decided to bring a message of hope to a wider public and put their messages up on Court Street for passersby to see.

The project was organised by local charities the Family Centre and Chewstick Foundation and the results can now be seen between Chewstick and Jamaican Grill.

It’s all part of the Family Centre’s Youth Leadership Academy Foundation programme.

As the final component of the programme, students are required “to create, manage and deliver an applied leadership project of that they find personally meaningful and interesting.”

Community Development Team Leader of the Family Centre Leila Wadson said: “The goal is to encourage young people to consider their role as part of the community, and to inspire youth to feel the rewards of making a positive difference.

“Through the process of completing a project students learn to sell an idea, identify people with the needed skills who can help, and seek donations when supplies are required.

“For Sylede’sha, Gershonae, and Toshella, it was the connection with The Chewstick Foundation’s Community Art Programme that helped them to take their idea to the next level.

“As an organisation who understands the power of public art to affect community change, Chewstick encouraged the girls to take their messages and paint them on wooden boards where the general public could see them; inspiring individuals without isolating them.”

The girls got support from D&J Construction and Pembroke Paint who donated supplies.

“Moving forward, these young leaders remain interested in spreading positive messages in the community,” added Ms Wadson.

“They are still keen to paint positive messages in bathroom stalls, and ask any interested organisation who is willing to partner with them to call the Family Centre at 232-1116.”