Twenty-one teenagers have graduated from a charity programme designed to give them valuable work experience and life skills.

The youngsters took part in Family Centre’s ‘Building My Future’ internship and mentoring initiative.

The scheme aims to “teach work habits critical to job success, inspire youth to learn, and reinforce the connection between self-discipline, accomplishment and a positive sense of self-worth,” according to Leila Wadson, Family Centre’s community development team leader.

“It does this through connecting youth to career opportunities that they are interested in and to positive role models in the workforce,” she said.

Building My Future was launched last summer in response to the needs of youngsters in Family Centre’s Youth Leadership Academy.

“The graduates from the first two phases of our Leadership Academy, the Youth Police Initiative and Youth Leadership Foundations, were too old for summer camp and too young for most summer employment opportunities,” Ms Wadson said. “They expressed the motivation and desire to work but were unable to find jobs.

“Parents of these teens were worried about unstructured, idle time leading to trouble. Building my Future was created to address the void in professional development opportunities for young people that we see directly contributing to lagging skill development, while keeping youth engaged in structured, positive growth opportunities over the summer months.”

Building My Future involved two phases — practising skills related to work during July then a paid four-week placement last month.

Family Centre job coaches were available to each participant, offering advice and support.

At the end of each week the teens received a stipend for their work, which varied in relation to their performance.

A graduation ceremony was held on September 9 at the Argus building — the company sponsored last summer’s programme and has hosted Youth Leadership events.

Family members, staff from the teenagers’ work placements and representatives of Bermuda Police Service — including Deputy Commissioner Paul Wright — attended.

The youngsters shared their experiences and discussed what they had learned. Five of them were recognised for demonstrating effort, respect and timeliness above and beyond what was expected.

An award for all-round student of the year was presented to Matteo Turner, while an exceptional work-placement award was shared between Naomi Landy and DaShontae Walker. The award for most improved student was shared between Jah’zardae Samuels and Jah’bre Dillas Breamer.

“The Building My Future programme aims to model what is possible when the broader community comes together in support of youth,” said Family Centre executive director Martha Dismont. “The success of this programme would not have been possible without organisations and individuals who are dedicated to developing the next generation of professionals and community leaders.”

Family Centre said the initiative was possible thanks to a “generous donation” from Brian Duperreault.

“It was my pleasure to support Family Centre’s summer internship and mentoring programme,” he said. “All of Bermuda’s young people should have access to the skills and training needed to succeed in this increasingly competitive world and this programme helps to ensure that access is available.”

Family Centre also thanked the Chamber of Commerce, Bermuda’s Emerging Professionals (BEPRO), and Butterfield for their support for the Building My Future youth orientation day on July 28, which was “essential in helping to prepare youth for their August work-placements”.

Praise was given to the organisations who offered placements, including Elbow Beach Hotel, Lusso, Hands for Sandy’s summer camp, Pet Pals, Windreach Recreational Village, Bermuda Gas, Gibbons Company, Grotto Bay Beach Resort and Tennis Club, Expertise, Dolphin Quest, Endsmeet Animal Hospital, Bermuda Hospital Board, The Royal Gazette, Belco, Decisions and RBK Advertising.