Founded on February 7, 1990, the Moneague Police Youth Club is one of the eighteen active police youth clubs in the St Ann division.
Under the leadership of sergeant Sandra Edwards-Green, the club is currently in its rebuilding process after going dormant for approximately eighteen months.
In August of 2016, two longstanding members, Sgt Green and Mehalia Johnson, saw the need to rebuild the club after they were approached by persons showing interest in the organization.
The club restarted with only five members. Since then the number has steadily increased and the club now has 26 registered members. The club was revamped with its mantra, “Hard work brings true joy” and persons have been meeting on Saturdays at 7 pm upstairs the Moneague Police Station.
With the vision of reaching out to persons, getting them involved in the community and instilling the spirit of volunteerism, the club is open to all age groups. Club president, Janelle Christie says, “Anyone is welcomed to the club as long as he/she is willing to comply with the rules.”
LET THEM COME
Ms Christie also encouraged parents to allow their children to become a part of youth groups. “A youth group like this, plays an integral role in social development and persons will be better able to broaden their precepts. People usually attach a certain stigma to the police and choose not to become involved with the club, but what they need to understand is that this is the bridge between citizens and the police,” she said.
Since the clubs reestablishment, the members have been working hard in their communities and the club was awarded the most improved police youth club at the St Ann Police Youth Club Council’s Annual General Meeting and award ceremony in March 2017.
The club is known to the community for some of its outreach programmes including their annual Christmas Treat at the Moneague Police Station. They have also started a homework programme. The agenda of the club works in accordance with their weekly schedule. On the first Saturday of each month a general meeting is held. The second Saturday is dubbed resource/homework night while the third, fourth and fifth are set as games night, general meeting and Open house discussion respectively.
Over the years the club has supported sister clubs with their activities and has even gone further to work on their own ideas. The club has reached out to the community in the form of community service involving a monthly treat for a community basic school, home repairs, road work, Christmas treat bon fire and even assisted in repainting the Moneague Police Station. During this Month they hosted a fundraiser which they called Karaoke and raffle. The Times was informed that there are plans for a Labour Day project.
With so much work at hand the Moneague Police Youth Club, over the years, has managed to be the recipient of several awards for their involvement in sports and the community.
According to Sgt Green, the greatest challenge is “getting the young people to come out to the police youth club meetings”. Sgt Green hopes that the club will see a growth in membership and that these new members will be dedicated and willing to work.
Club secretary Danella Smith also pointed out the need for persons to recognize the importance of the police youth club and the countless opportunities it may provide.
“I hope to see the Moneague Police Youth Club Participating in international competitions and I also hope that one day we will be recognized as the most organized group in the community,” Sgt Green Said.
