The 14 Field Officers were presented with Certificates of Participation from Minister of Social Development Hon. Yolande Bain Horsford during a special ceremony at the ARD Board Room today (Thursday, May 18).

Expressing appreciation to the ARD and GREP, Minister Bain Horsford said the training has enhanced the self-confidence of the Field Officers and will help them address the many challenges they face at the community level.

“I am very happy that you have taken the challenge to better yourselves,” the Minister told the Officers.

The two-day training in Community Mobilisation Techniques took place May 3 and 4. The workshop covered techniques in profiling communities, listening to residents and interacting effectively, as well as maintaining connections among the community, the Ministry and other institutions that provide social services.

ARD Director of Social Recovery Dr. Jennifer Holder Dolly said ARD has been pleased to partner with GREP in this training initiative, and made special note of the support and guidance from Minister Bain Horsford.

“The Minister has been a critical person in moving forward a lot of the initiatives we have undertaken,” Dr. Dolly noted.

GREP Gender Specialist Beverly Chase, referring to the Field Officers as “foot soldiers”, reminded them that social development is about enhancing people’s lives and it is important that they interact positively with people.

The participants demonstrated the techniques they acquired through an entertaining and thought-provoking skit depicting an exchange between a Field Officer and some ‘boys on the block”. The Officers were unanimous in their approval of the training and requested that more training be provided in the future.

The Field Officers are: Alice Francis, Steadline Charles-Isaac, Alison Christopher, Indra Edwards, Glennette Griffith, Teslyn Gludd, Hazel Ann Joseph, Joyce Lewis, Lydia Mitchell, Jennifer Noel, Judy Powlette, Rolda Wells-Charles, Shirmme Whyte and Mary Williams.