An organisation dedicated to the development and support of boys and men has launched an initiative to help young males build positive identities and become productive members of society.
I.D.E.A.S. for Boys and Men, which has been in operation for a year and a half, officially launched the Raising Sons Building A Nation Project. The initiative focuses on underserved boys between the ages of 11 and 16, providing mentorship, psychosocial assistance and opportunities for positive development.
Project Coordinator Kevin Mathurin said the organisation was established in response to concerns about the development of young men in Saint Lucia and the wider region.
“The organisation [wants to] build a bridge between the schools… and the homes to develop young men,” Mathurin stated.
He explained that the organisation was founded by a group of young men who believe they have a responsibility to contribute to the wellbeing of their communities and country.
I.D.E.A.S. has three interventions, including the Father Resource Centre, which works with fathers to strengthen their involvement in the lives of their children. The centre also helps fathers navigate legal processes once they have taken on their duty of care.
Mathurin said the initiative recognises the important role fathers can play in the lives of children, particularly boys, and seeks to help men become more involved in their upbringing.
The Raising Sons Building A Nation Project is the organisation’s current focus. Mathurin explained that while the project is centred on boys, its wider purpose is to contribute to national development.
The project will target boys in a key stage of adolescence, a period Mathurin said can involve an identity crisis, with some young males gravitating towards destructive identities.
“If we can provide them with a more constructive identity, this would be a plus for us,” he said.
The organisation hopes to provide participants with constructive alternatives through a coordinated system of care involving their families, schools and communities.
Mathurin said the project will use assessments to identify boys who may need support before working with parents, teachers, coaches, school counsellors and other individuals in their lives.
He explained that a child may receive one message at school and a different one at home, making cooperation between those around the child important.
“We have been saying that for decades, but not much has been done to put that standardised care around the individual.”
The initiative will be introduced as a possible one-year pilot project to assess its effectiveness.
Following the initial intervention, participants will be assigned mentors to help them establish and work towards personal goals, including a vision and mission for their lives.
A camp will also be organised to help the young men develop a more positive relationship with authority. Mathurin said some underserved boys may struggle with authority figures, particularly where there is an absence of a father at home.
He believes that helping participants address these challenges could influence decisions that might otherwise lead to destructive behaviour.
Mathurin also spoke about the importance of restoring traditional values through community involvement, particularly among men and fathers.
He said success would include seeing men take greater responsibility for caring for children and serving as positive examples for younger males.
The organisation has received support from the Government of Saint Lucia and corporate social businesses. Mathurin said the response to the project has been encouraging, with men showing interest in contributing to the development of young people.
However, he acknowledged that execution would be crucial to determining the project’s impact.
“Execution is very important at this point, and that is where our attention is focused at the moment,” Mathurin said.
The organisation hopes that through continued support and community participation, the project can help strengthen families, develop young men and contribute to a stronger nation.
