Youth Minister Glenn Blakeney praised 40 young people who made the choice to transform their lives and complete the first phase of Government’s Mirrors Programme.

Mr Blakeney congratulated the successful participants and said he was hopeful they could rise above their situations and accomplish their dreams.

“Often when we are presented with statistics about our young people, we are left with a grim picture of the future.

“This is not to say that these young persons do not have any challenges - however, I wish to paint a picture that demonstrates the possibility that they can overcome the problems they have experienced.

“Ninety-eight percent of these young people are still pursuing their educational goals and eighty-seven percent of them have never been arrested,” Mr Blakeney said.

The young participants between ages 15 to 18 completed the residential programme held at Willow Bank Resort in Somerset on November 21.

The six-day programme included 50-hours of classroom-type learning and intense physical activities with the ultimate aim of giving them tools to develop and change their lives.

Each participant was challenged to look at the meaning of commitment and responsibility and discover their own voices.

They were also taught to know the difference between being ‘informed by the past’ versus ‘being determined by it’ and how to create new visions for their lives.

The teenagers identified goals for themselves, some common ones including having better relationships with their families, improving their attitudes and raising their educational performance.

Forty-three people began the programme on November 16 and more than 90 percent successfully completed it two weeks ago.

Mr Blakeney said the Mirrors Programme was not “for bad kids” and added: “These young people are so committed to their own development they had the insight to pause and to identify some of the challenges they are facing.

“Through their participation in this programme they have chosen to confront those challenges head-on and for this, they deserve to be recognised,”

He thanked the volunteers and staff for their hard work and dedication and encouraged the public to continue supporting the programme. “Join us as we continue to transform our community, one young person at a time,” he added.

The participants have now entered the third phase of the program - where they will be matched with supportive volunteers called “Committed Partners” over a nine-month period.

For more information or to find out how you can volunteer for the programme call 294-9291 or email mirrors@gov.bm.