On Thursday, May 14, 2026, a landmark community partnership reached its completion in St. John’s, Antigua and Barbuda, as the Rotary Club of Antigua formally transferred a fully renovated classroom space to the Youth Intervention Unit of the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda. This project marks another milestone in the service organization’s long-standing dedication to nurturing youth growth and driving public good across the twin-island nation, building on a prior renovation of the same space the club completed back in 2016.
Carrying an estimated total investment of Eastern Caribbean $28,000, the refurbishment covered a comprehensive suite of upgrades to bring the aging facility up to modern standards. Work crews carried out critical structural repairs to the roof and ceiling, installed new energy-efficient lighting systems, completely overhauled the on-site bathroom facilities, applied fresh coats of paint throughout the space, and completed general structural repairs to restore the building’s functionality and safety.
Everton Jeffers, Commissioner of the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda, opened the handover ceremony by welcoming the ongoing collaboration between local community groups and law enforcement, and extended sincere praise to the Rotary Club for its targeted investment in the country’s younger generation. Jeffers stressed that modern policing extends far beyond traditional law enforcement activities, placing equal importance on proactive crime prevention, intentional youth mentorship, and creating pathways for vulnerable young people to access positive, constructive opportunities that keep them away from harmful paths.
Going further, Commissioner Jeffers issued a call for expanded participation from across Antigua and Barbuda’s civil society to support the Youth Intervention Unit’s mission. He highlighted that the unit relies on community contributions ranging from volunteer mentorship and vocational training to professional counseling services to effectively support young people at risk of falling into delinquent behavior.
Jeffers also took the opportunity to recognize the individual contributions that made the renovation project possible, singling out Inspector Claudina Nathaniel-Morgan, retired Sergeant Randy Christopher, the project’s contracted construction team, all participating Rotary Club members, and every other stakeholder who dedicated time, resources, or labor to bring the project to successful completion.
The official handover ceremony closed with an opening prayer led by a local faith leader, followed by a guided tour of the newly upgraded facility for all attendees, who got to see firsthand the impact of the community’s collective investment in youth support.