The Chewstick Foundation has received a financial boost from the Argus Group to help continue their educational and cultural programmes.

An Argus Group spokeswoman said the donation had gone towards enhancing the True Wisdom In Growing Souls (TWIGS) Youth Open Mic, the Ital Clarke Learning Studio and the new Break The Chains Programme.

“As a direct impact of the Argus donation, the TWIGS Youth Open Mic has developed a Youth Board that consists of young people from the Bermuda College, Berkeley Institute, CedarBridge Academy and the Bermuda High School for Girls,” the spokeswoman said.

“Students that sit on the Youth Board are improving project management processes, encouraging teamwork and improving marketing and communications while also empowering their generation to take charge of their own destiny. The board has also started monthly performance workshops in addition to the youth open mic that takes place on the second Saturday of each month.”

The donation also helped to fund the Break the Chains programme, through which the Island’s schools will develop poetry and spoken word clubs, and allowed enhancements to the Ital Clarke Studio, which offers young people the opportunity to learn engineering skills.

Argus Group CEO Alison Hill stressed the value of the programmes, saying: “The Chewstick Foundation empowers students to tell stories and be creative, which ultimately enriches the arts and culture in our community.

“The Chewstick programmes help our youth to build an appreciation of poetry and creative writing, improve their skills and develop self-esteem. These programmes give our youth a creative outlet and we are happy to support The Chewstick Foundation.”

Founder and executive director of the Chewstick Foundation Gavin Smith said expressed his gratitude for the support, saying: “There is so much potential for the young people who participate to have an encouraging experience, to develop pride in themselves and to increase personal confidence, literacy and identity.

“We thank the Argus Group for supporting an alternative programme that positively impacts the lives of young people.”