The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

REACH Out Youth Organisation continues to a make difference in the lives of at-risk children and its founder Dudley Seide is appealing to corporate Bahamas to support their “Scared Straight Prison Programme.”

Every year, Mr Seide takes about 25 young boys, ages seven to 18, to New Providence on a life changing experience to the prison to help discourage them from a life of crime and deviant behaviour.

Although many letters were sent out asking for sponsorship, there has not been much response from businesses, but Mr Seide is determined to go forward with the trip next Wednesday.

“Most of the children are from single parent homes and cannot afford to purchase their plane ticket; it’s been a strain on us because we also have to provide three meals a day for them and hotel accommodations,” he said.

Reach Out Youth Organisation started the “Scared Straight Programme” five years ago and has taken over 200 at risk boys. It has left an impression on the Minister of National Security Dr Bernard Nottage, who commended the organisation for implementing such a programme and who said that it should be a national programme, and which later spawned the launch of “Shock Treatment,” under the direction of youth leader Carlos Reid.

Mr Seide said the programmes are an eye opener and are making a difference in the lives of young men. While in New Providence, he said the boys also get to participate in Carlos Reid’s Peace on the Street Basketball tournament.

After attending the programme, boys who had dropped out of school have enrolled in alternative learning centres, and many have turned their lives around and are heading in the right direction.

Reach Out also holds mentoring programmes for young boys and a Men United Rally every year in Grand Bahama.

In an effort to raise funds for this year’s Scared Straight trip, the group will be selling cold water and drinks in the parking lot at the Regent Centre and near Jiffy Cleaners in Grand Bahama.

“We are asking corporations to help sponsor this programme because we are trying to steer these children from a life of crime,” he said.

“We sent out a lot of letters asking for support, and although the response has been slow, no matter what it takes we will continue to get these boys over to Nassau,” he said.

“We cannot allow this programme to fail… I know all too well the woes of a child going down the wrong path and ending up in prison, as I have a son there. I want to help another mother, father…of the tragic hurt of a son going to prison,” he said.