Youth Education Association (YEA) formally launched its annual back-to-school treats on at the Institute of Vocational and Professional Training (IVPT), in Spring Village, Bushy Park, St Catherine recently.

The event was established to provide much-needed supplies to students from the Spring Village community and its surrounding environs. A total of 180 bags, containing various school supplies and food items, were distributed to students from the primary and secondary levels.

Students were also treated to refreshments provided by Best Dressed Chicken and Reggae Jammin, free back-to-school medicals were done by St Catherine Health Department, and free eye tests by Old Harbour Optical.

YEA is a registered charitable organisation under the tagline ‘Youths are the living beings for today, tomorrow and the future” and aims to improve the youth of the nation through youth empowerment and personal development by providing educational services, equipment, workshops, and other forms of assistance to students across Jamaican and the Caribbean.

Founder and Executive Director Tahje Wallen says that “this year’s staging of the back-toschool treats is a great success thus far at our first stop in Spring Village, St Catherine.

The second stop was in Nonsuch, Portland, on Saturday, August 27, 2022.

In addition to the back-to-school treats, YEA serves as a vehicle for youth involvement in other ways including volunteering, career development, workshops, and seminars.

Sponsors to the YEA treats include Grace and Staff Community Development Foundation, Wisynco Group, Ajairu Training Solutions, and Deon Dewar-Gray.