Feedback from youth professionals that have attended training workshops for the Mirrors programme has been very positive, said Minister of Social Rehabilitation Dale Butler.

Mirrors is a non-traditional programme designed for at-risk teens which intervenes in the young people's lives in an attempt to force them to confront their resignation, scepticism and cynicism.

When it is in place in Bermuda it will be comprised of a six-day residential programme for the teens but first Island youth professionals are being recruited and trained to participate in the programme. On Friday, Minister Butler said already some 63 youth professionals have been trained.

"The participants were from a range of Government Ministries and Departments including the Department of Court Services, Department of Child and Family Services, the Police Service and the Ministry of Education," Mr. Butler said.

"The evaluations completed by the participants in the training speak to the value of the training in that 98 percent rated their overall experience of the training as being good or excellent. Only two percent rated the training as fair."

Over 90 percent of the participants in the three days of training also said they learned new skills, had the chance to see new choices and were able to learn new things about themselves.

Mr. Butler added: "When asked to comment on the training and trainer, participants wrote: a WOW experience; Great Facilitator; a unique and wonderful experience; fantastic super; the trainer knows what he is talking about; a bit annoying at first, appeared to try to intimidate, however, the ends justified the means!"

The third training session for youth professionals is scheduled for May 15-17 when a further 50 people will be trained.

Mr. Butler added: "Once we have completed the Youth Professional training, we will begin the process of recruiting volunteers and enrolling young people to take part in the November residential programme. We encourage individuals and companies to provide support in any way possible.

"In fact, one of the best ways for companies to contribute to Mirrors is for the company to provide paid time off for staff who want to take part in the November residential intervention so they don't have to use their vacation.

"We have, in our community, a group of young people who will see life-long benefits from Mirrors."