Working with the Island’s youth is not just a job for Darren Woods, it is his passion.

The 28-year-old has been a youth community support worker at Family Centre since 2011.

“I guess I’m one of those people when invested in a programme, I am fully invested within it and it’s my passion, it’s what I love to do, and I want to see it excel and grow,” Mr Woods said. “I’m all for challenging young people to be at their best, reaching their full potential, and creating opportunities for them that they don’t normally get the opportunity to do.

“For me, this is more than a job, it’s like my passion, and therefore, if something is your passion you are willing to go above and beyond.”

Although Mr Woods always enjoyed working with children and participated in various youth programmes growing up, he decided to study accounting.

But he said he quickly realised that this did not suit him and that he wanted to do something he was more passionate about.

He started volunteering, but it wasn’t until one of his brother’s friends, Jason Smith, was shot and killed in May 2011 that he realised his true calling.

“That really shook me up — watching my brother and all his friends go through that,” he said.

Mr Woods said he was like an older brother to them and seeing how gutted and deeply affected all of them were — and the fact that this could happen to anyone — made him re-evaluate his future and question how he could make an impact with young people so that Mr Smith’s life was not in vain.

When a friend suggested he apply for an opening at Family Centre, he leaped at the chance.

“I’ve hopped right in, and I’ve absolutely loved it ever since I walked through here,” he said.

“It’s very rewarding — it’s not that I do things for thank-yous — but it is very rewarding when a kid comes up to you and thanks you for what you’ve done for them.”

Mr Woods explained that he valued making a difference and that he loved inspiring and helping young people to create a vision for themselves that they might not have otherwise considered because of their circumstances.

“To be that connecting link, to show them what’s out there, what their different options are, and then to start to empower them to do it themselves is awesome,” he said.

“After watching a few kids have that ‘break-through moment’, you start to see a change within them and it lets you know that it’s possible and it’s just really gratifying knowing that you had a part in creating that change or empowering that person to reach their full potential.”

As well as working with the children at the charity, Mr Woods coordinates and organises activities, plans internships and work placements, goes to school meetings and supports parents.

He also heads up the CedarBridge Academy Beyond Rugby programme — a collaboration between the Bermuda Rugby Football Union and Family Centre — that aims to give youth a chance to choose positive lifestyles, resist antisocial behaviours and achieve academic progress.

“It’s really looking at young people to help them, to support them, to be at their best on and off the field and we break all barriers to participation,” Mr Woods said.

“It’s an opportunity for us to challenge the boys within the programme academically, to push them socially and to have that support there that normal sports teams don’t have.”

Mr Woods is also heavily involved with the Youth Leadership Academy programme, which incorporates the Youth Police Initiative, the Youth Leadership Academy Foundation and the Youth Leadership Community programmes, all of which are designed to help children develop their leadership potential one step at a time.

And Mr Woods has just earned his certification to be a lead facilitator in the Youth Police Initiative programme.

Mr Woods, who wanted to say a special thank-you to his mother Desiree Woods and all the people who have helped him out along the way, said he encouraged people to give back and to take time out to invest in a young person because he values the people who did so for him, and because he understands the importance of that role.

“I believe that everyone has a purpose and there is something out there, there is some way out there, that everyone can give back to help rebuild the community,” he said.

“I see where Bermuda is today and I think it’s important to have people like myself out there who are fully invested in young people.”

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• Do you know an Unsung Hero who deserves recognition? Call Lisa on 278-0137 or e-mail lsimpson@royalgazette.com