How It Started
The year was 1986. I was teaching Sunday school at a local church in Jamaica. Each Sunday, I noticed that several of my students were not properly dressed, and some did not have proper shoes on their feet, yet it did not stop them from attending classes Sunday after Sunday. Some of these girls and boys were attending middle and high schools at the time. One thing that was apparent about them was that even though they were poor, they were pleasant and happy despite their circumstances. These Sunday school students were obviously bright, but their academic goals were greatly impeded by the lack of financial support because their parents could not afford it.
The Inspiration for Excellence
It was then that I hoped for the day when I would become the catalyst for positive change for young people facing similar dilemmas. Many young people are caught between a rock and a hard place and are incapable of making wise decisions on their own. Today we are losing many to drugs, suicide, teen pregnancy, gangs, educational failures, school dropouts, truancy, and juvenile delinquency. It was this burden and awareness that finally gave birth to Youths for Excellence, as outlined on our website.
Our Vision
To provide our youths with a set of coordinated activities that will help in exploring careers, skill sets, education, and employment opportunities leading to a productive and fulfilled life.
About the Founder
Mr. Knight, who is the founder of Youths for Excellence, has been in the helping field since 1986. He has served in various capacities, such as Sunday school teacher, youth director, and counselor. Mr. Knight earned his bachelor in psychology from the College of New Rochelle, N.Y., and a Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy from Richmont Graduate University, Atlanta, GA. In addition, Mr. Knight has over 25 years of experience in psychiatric care and counseling. Some of those years were spent doing drug and alcohol counseling in a couple of hospitals. Mr. Knight is also a licensed professional counselor and currently runs a private practice specializing in individual counseling and marriage and family therapy.
