Operation Youth Quake

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Operation Youth Quake is a unique and pivotal organization in Dominica, dedicated to rehabilitating youth in conflict with the law through residential programs. Since its inception in 1978, it has faced challenges like an aging infrastructure. Still, it has continued to evolve, especially following the impacts of Hurricane Maria in 2018, with support from the USAID/OECS Juvenile Justice Reform Project (JJRP).

About Operation Youth Quake

Operation Youth Quake is the sole residential youth rehabilitation center in Dominica that transforms the lives of young individuals entangled with the law. The center has been significantly bolstered by the USAID/OECS JJRP, enabling a series of renovations that include new doors, windows, a refurbished kitchen and bathroom areas, and a new patio extension for children's recreation, doubling as a hurricane shelter. These efforts are part of a broader strategy to enhance the capacity for rehabilitation, ensuring a safe and nurturing environment for both boys and girls. The rehabilitation programs encompass a wide range of psychosocial and skills-based training to foster personal growth, education, and skill development in various fields, such as communication, anger management, cooking, farming, and animal husbandry.

Operation Youth Quake Mission and Objectives

The core mission of Operation Youth Quake is to offer daycare, short-term residential care, life skills training, counselling, and recreational activities in a secure and supportive setting. This mission involves various stakeholders, including the Ministry of Culture, Youth, Sports and Community Development and Women’s Affairs Welfare Division, NGOs, schools, and parents/guardians. The overarching goal is to ensure the holistic development of children and young people who are abused, deprived, neglected, or facing crises, aiming for their successful reintegration into family and community life.

Major Achievements and Impact

Operation Youth Quake has made notable strides in rehabilitating youth in conflict with the law, supported by the JJRP program. This includes implementing psychosocial and skills-based programs facilitating significant personal and educational development among the participants. Many of these youth have successfully transitioned to productive societal roles, including employment in the hospitality sector and academic achievements. The center's focused approach on rehabilitation over incarceration has contributed meaningfully to reducing the number of children entering the adult prison system in Dominica.