Cabot Saint Lucia and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) have formalised their partnership in support of the Youth Resilience, Inclusion, and Empowerment (Y-IRE) programme.
Y-IRE aims to enhance youth empowerment and strengthen community systems across Saint Lucia and other Caribbean nations.
Phelps Feeley, Chief of Party for USAID, emphasised the significance of the collaboration, stating, “This partnership is a model for what private sector and social programmes can do together, and it’s the kind of whole-of-community approach needed for addressing today’s most challenging issues.”
The USAID Y-IRE program works closely with governments, civil society, and private sector leaders to achieve its goals.
Feeley explained, “The USA Y-IRE programme is dedicated to improving learning outcomes for vulnerable youth, enhancing youth and young adult preparedness for the workforce, strengthening social services, and strengthening community and family systems here in Saint Lucia as well as in Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, and Grenada.”
Aurore Dorelien, Deputy General Development Director at USAID, highlighted the broader impact of such initiatives explaining that the partnership aims to provide opportunities for youth facing significant challenges, including crime and violence.
“Crime prevention is not just a matter of law enforcement; it’s about investing in opportunities, hope, and the future of our communities. It’s about giving young people the skills and the chance they need to see a different path.”
For his part, Rob Roxborough, General Manager of Cabot Saint Lucia, expressed the company’s dedication and strong commitment to community development through its social sustainability initiatives. “We as Cabot are really proud to be here. We very much align in mission, vision, and values. We want our communities to be stronger. We want to do it together.”
The partnership will leverage Cabot’s COVID Cares program, which focuses on meaningful community outreach.
In its first year, the partnership will support several key initiatives, including the “Ignite the Learning: Business by Doing Business” program, which complements paid internships and site visits designed to inspire youth.
Cabot and Y-IRE will also collaborate on after-school and social programs such as Our Boys Matter and SSDF interventions.
The signing ceremony at Cabot, featured a cultural demonstration with Saint Lucian folk dancers, highlighting the importance of collaboration. Attendees later visited a scenic lookout point at the Cabot Golf Course to discuss the ongoing commitments to youth empowerment and community development.
