The US Embassy in Kingston, in collaboration with the Seprod Foundation, launched a partnership to introduce the ‘Edu-Skate Extended Programme’ aimed at expanding the reach of the existing initiative to youth from various urban communities. 

The programme, developed by the Concrete Jungle Foundation, will focus on teaching life skills through skateboarding and is designed to help young people build confidence and develop a positive attitude towards learning.

The launch event, held on April 1 at Freedom Skatepark in Bull Bay, St Andrew, featured a skateboarding demonstration by members of SK876 and an opportunity to see the programme in action.

Youth from Denham Town High School and RISE Life Management Services were able to participate and showcase their skateboarding skills, and shared their excitement about the programme.

The Edu-Skate Extended Programme will begin in May and will be open to young people aged between six and 16 years from urban communities in Kingston. The programme, financed to the tune of US$24,000, will be free of charge and all equipment will be provided.

The Edu-Skate Programme is a unique approach to youth development, combining sport with education to help young people learn important life skills. The programme will provide a safe and fun environment for young people to learn to skate and develop their social, emotional and cognitive skills. The curriculum will include lessons on teamwork, leadership, communication, problem solving among others.

The partnership between the US Embassy and Seprod Foundation is part of the US federal government’s commitment to supporting youth development in Jamaica. The Edu-Skate Extended Programme is one of several initiatives that the US Embassy is supporting in Jamaica to help young people build the skills they need to succeed.

“The US Embassy Kingston is proud to partner with the Seprod Foundation and all of the collaborators here today through a US 24,000 grant that contributes to our goal of a safer, just, and secure Jamaica. The Edu-Skate Extended Programme is a fantastic programme that helps Kingston’s youth, especially those from underserved backgrounds and volatile communities develop important life skills such as awareness, confidence, respect and resilience. Skills like these are critical for positive personal development and strong communities” said Holly Wheeler, deputy public affairs officer of the US Embassy in Kingston.

Seprod Foundation is doubling down on its committed to improving the lives of young people in Jamaica by providing access to similar programmes and empowering them with the skills to succeed. The foundation is excited to partner with the US Embassy to launch the upcoming two seasons of the Edu-Skate Programme, which is a new and exciting way to support youth development in urban communities.

“Since the introduction of the Edu-Skate Programme at the Freedom Skatepark in 2020, we have reached 258 youth and counting. We have witnessed the ways skateboarding has positively changed lives” said Lisa D’Oyen, executive director of Seprod Foundation, “We are thrilled that the US Embassy has chosen to invest in Jamaica’s youth by supporting this programme and we look forward to seeing the results.”