Mission
CYJ aims to address youth violence, gangs and community challenges through innovative education, mentorship, and life-skills building — empowering the next generation to thrive in modern Jamaica's cultural and economic landscape.
Our Mission
Empowering the next generation to thrive in modern Jamaica's cultural and economic landscape.
Vision
CYJ envisions a Jamaica where every young person has access to quality education, training, mentorship programs and resources in the creative industries. We strive to create a vibrant ecosystem that nurtures talent, promotes innovation and drives economic growth.
Accredited Courses
All CYJ programmes are delivered through accredited courses, ensuring that every participant receives industry-recognised training and qualifications. Our accreditation guarantees quality, consistency and credibility — giving young people a trusted pathway from learning into apprenticeships, employment and enterprise across Jamaica's music, film and entertainment industries.
Our Objectives
A five-year plan to build creative hubs across Jamaica where young talent can collaborate, train and grow.
6 – 9 months
Phase One
- ●Establish strategic partners and sponsors
- ●Ship equipment and resources
- ●Set up pilot hubs and projects strategy with partners
12 – 18 months
Phase Two
- ●Develop community engagement
- ●Secure funding and investment
- ●Establish grassroots networks
18 months – 5 years
Phase Three
- ●Open first CYJ hub in Kingston
- ●Support smaller schools and organisations
- ●Launch pilot of entertainment apprenticeship and employment programs
Our Expertise
Grounded in fifteen years of frontline practice across the UK and Jamaica.
Gang work
Working to tackle peer pressure caused by financial and local politics, our anti-gangs program helps both young boys and girls who are often exposed to a life of violence and crime in some of the most underprivileged and poor communities in Jamaica. Working with schools, faith groups, sports teachers, parents and community leaders, the program takes a “let's support at home before needing to reach a government agency” approach.
County Lines
Through supporting not only the victims of exploitation, but also their families, our workshops and programs have been developed internationally as a resource working alongside a multi-agency approach. From young people being exploited sexually, mentally and within the workforce to adults being exploited due to their mental and physical needs, our programs take both long and short-term approaches to solving lifetime and generational issues.
ACE-informed practice
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) informed practices shift the clinical and social question from "What's wrong with you?" to "What happened to you?" The goal is to build physical, psychological, and emotional safety, trust, and collaboration while actively avoiding re-traumatization for individuals who have experienced early adversity.
Training for professionals
Supporting teachers, parents and other professionals who work and regularly engage with young people, CYJ provides and connects others with access to a wide range of workshops and short courses. These include, but are not limited to: Mentoring, Safeguarding, Self-defence, Conflict resolution, Community engagement, Financial literacy and Mental health.