UNESCO Participation Programme

“Changing the Score” Performing Arts Intervention Programme  to Empower At-Risk-Youth and Ending Gender-Based-Violence for Community Renewal of Parade Gardens

YARD EMPIRE embarked on a seven month programme to teach innercity youth to play musical instruments with the end goal of creating a band with the ability to perform at an exemplary level. Based in the inner-city community of Parade Gardens, YARD EMPIRE selected at-risk-youth for this ambitious project. With the sponsorship of the Jamaica National Commission for UNESCO musical instruments were purchased and intensive training was undertaken.

The youngsters were also engaged in personal development sessions themed around Ending Gender-Based violence which formed the basis for dramatic presentations which accompanied the musical offering at a grand end-of programme concert held on International Men’s Day.

 

Reports of the concert were covered in local media:

https://www.jamaicaobserver.com/latest-news/watch-yard-empire-puts-the-spotlight-on-at-risk-boys/