Government has joined forces with the Family Centre, the Bermuda Police Service and the Economic Empowerment Zone to create a Youth Development Zone in North Hamilton.The project is intended to provide coordinated services for young people and families within the community, including Dellwood Middle School and Victor Scott Primary School.Addressing the House of Assembly on Friday, Minister of Youth, Family and Sports Glenn Blakeney said: “These key partners will be joined by other youth services, private businesses, funders, churches, sporting organisations and the North Hamilton community to provide programmes, services, training and support to young people.”Mr Blakeney said several programmes have already begun, including the Youth Leadership Academy, Beyond Rugby, and the Youth Police Initiative, aimed at helping to create a better relationship between the police and the community.Mr Blakeney said 14 young teens took part in YPI earlier this month, taking part in intensive training.“A celebration ceremony was hosted at the Hamilton Community Centre on Saturday, November 19,” Mr Blakeney said. “A full house rose in support of these young Bermudians as they were celebrated for completing the programme and there were very few dry eyes in the house.”Meanwhile, Mr Blakeney said that staff at the Hamilton Community Centre have received training to help spot and deal with violent behaviour, and all Youth, Sport and Recreation staff have received training in the “Six Pillars of Character Character Counts!” programme.Character Counts training will also be made available to all partners in the Youth Development Zone, while a Community Youth Advisory Board and a Community Board will be created to help provide a voice for the Island’s youth and identify services that are needed.“The Youth Development Zone project is an exciting initiative that embraces and encourages synergy cooperation that goes beyond public or private sector priorities,” Mr Blakeney said.“The zone is expected to change and evolve as the community takes charge and directs the services needed.”For more information about the Youth development Zone, contact Jason Hansford of the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Recreation at 249-9128 or Martha Dismont at the Family Centre at 232-1116.Useful websites: www.gov.bm, www.tfc.bm.