JIS: Director of Safety and Security in Schools, Ministry of Education, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Coleridge Minto, is calling on parents and community leaders to ensure that children are protected and attend school.

 

“Let us stand up for our children, and ensure that they can live in a safe and secure environment. Let us stand up for our senior citizens, and stand up for what is right,” he emphasised.

 

The ASP was delivering the keynote address at the annual community dinner hosted by the Cherry Youth Society, in West Central St. Catherine, on January 1.

 

He said the community of Cherry should be emulated for the way in which members protect children and the elderly.

 

Mr. Minto said the cohesiveness he has seen in the area is one that all well-thinking Jamaicans should embrace.

 

The dinner was held under the theme ‘People, Purpose and Passion…The Pathway to Success’.

 

Nearly 200 persons were feted at the function, while the Youth Society presented plaques to selected persons for their contribution to the community.

 

Lauding the young people for giving back to the community, Mr. Minto said it was a commendable effort for them to do so “in the form of showing respect, and treating those who paved the way for them”.

 

Meanwhile, Chairman of the Kitson Town Community Development Committee (CDC), Devon Thompson, said he was encouraged by the work of the young people, and pledged $10,000 towards the event.

 

“What a wonderful thing to see young people taking on initiatives like this,” Mr. Thompson said.

 

The Cherry Youth Society falls under the ambit of the Kitson Town CDC.

 

For his part, President of the Society, Kevon Woodhouse, told JIS News that the members came together to “elevate, build and uplift the community”.

 

Mr. Woodhouse noted that next year, they will be awarding high-performing students from the area.

 

CAPTION: Coleridge Minto (third left), accepts a gift basket from member of the Cherry Youth Society in St. Catherine, Alecia Walton (right), while President of the group, Kevon Woodhouse (left), and other members of the organisation share in the moment. Occasion was the annual community dinner, held in the area on January 1. Mr. Minto delivered the keynote address at the function.