During a visit to the Sophia Juvenile Centre on Friday, News Room was able to get a glimpse of an ongoing initiative, which seeks to reward inmates of the facility for good behaviour and teach them the necessary attributes for them to live acceptably when they leave the detention facility.
Deputy Director of the O-Zone Foundation, Brian Backer said the foundation has been keeping several activities at the facility, since June and has noticed behavioural changes among the youths there.
Mr. Backer said on the days when there are sporting activities, officers at the Centre have noticed that there are less fights and arguments among the teenagers.
Meantime, Director and Founder of O-Zone, Olive Gopaul said the organization has been quietly working to see how best it can serve youths at risk.
She said the youths are engaged in a six -month Mentorship programme and once that is completed, they start the scholarship programme.
The juveniles, during News Room’s visit were in high spirits and expressed gratitude for the gesture.
The O-Zone Foundation, Pizza hut and BriBac Management teamed up to make the venture a reality.
The treat included pizza, beverages and fruits, which were served to the youths, who were seated at a table in the Library area of the facility.
This has become a weekly feature, which the juveniles were promised would be ongoing once they continue to display good behaviour.
