Barbara’s Lighthouse, a youth empowerment nonprofit, proudly hosted its inaugural mental health and empowerment event – Project BREATHE (Building Resilience, Empathy, Awareness, Trust, Hope and Empowerment) – at Brayton Hall in Providenciales on Saturday, 17th May 2025. Designed as a full-day workshop and safe space for youth, the event welcomed 24 teens for an impactful series of conversations, hands-on workshops, and peer connection centred on mental well-being.
The event opened with a warm welcome, prayer, and an interactive icebreaker that set an energetic tone for the day. Throughout the event, students participated in four dynamic sessions that explored topics such as emotional regulation, stress management, peer pressure, the impact of social media, and strategies for avoiding involvement with criminal activity.
One of the day’s most powerful moments came from a deeply personal testimony by a guest speaker with lived experience, who shared his journey away from criminal activity and toward positive change, reminding students of the importance of wise decision-making and self-worth.
Facilitators led engaging, age-appropriate sessions and panel discussions where youth explored:
- What mental health truly means
- How to manage emotions and identify safe spaces
- Breaking cultural stigma around asking for help
- Building confidence in the face of peer pressure and social media
- Financial literacy, academic stress, and goal setting
The event also featured breakout workshops separated by gender, where participants had the chance to open up more intimately about the challenges they face. Interactive games, private check-ins with facilitators, and team-building activities kept the day both engaging and meaningful.
“The success of this event is a powerful reminder of just how engaged and insightful our youth can be when we create spaces that are both meaningful and enjoyable. The youth who attended shed light on perspectives we, as adults, often overlook when it comes to what mental health truly means to them. Their voices were thoughtful, honest, and eye-opening. It’s clear that more dialogue is needed. With Project BREATHE, I am overjoyed by the outpouring of support and hope to continue being a catalyst to facilitate the conversation, pushing it forward and inspiring real action with the support of our nation’s leaders.” Said National Apprentice and President of Barbara’s Lighthouse, Selena Grant.
Honourable Rachel M. Taylor, Minister of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture, praised the initiative: “I am deeply impressed by the vision, creativity, and leadership demonstrated by Selena Grant in organising Project BREATHE. This transformative event addresses one of the most critical challenges facing our young people today – mental health and emotional well-being. Selena’s innovative approach to creating safe spaces for open dialogue and peer support exemplifies the kind of youth-led initiatives we need to foster in our communities. Selena’s commitment to empowering her peers and breaking down the stigma surrounding mental health discussions is truly commendable. The Ministry of Education encourages initiatives that prioritise the holistic development of our youth. Project BREATHE is a movement that will undoubtedly have lasting positive impacts on the mental wellness of our young people across the Turks and Caicos Islands.”
“Our young people are growing up in a highly connected world, and the pressure to measure up to unrealistic online standards can take a serious toll on their mental and emotional well-being. We are incredibly proud of Selena for taking this step to create a space where these issues can be discussed openly and where participants are provided with tools to manage their mental health. At the NIAP, we fully support initiatives that reflect our participants’ passions and commitment to making a difference in their communities,” said Arielle Neely, Career Advancement and Program Coordinator at NIAP.
Project BREATHE was more than an event – it was a call to action. The feedback from students made it clear: young people in TCI are eager for safe spaces where they can share, learn, and be heard. Parents, educators, and community leaders are encouraged to continue these conversations and support youth mental wellness at home, in schools, and throughout our communities. As the first initiative of Barbara’s Lighthouse, Project BREATHE marks the beginning of an ambitious mission to empower youth across the Turks & Caicos Islands. The organisation aims to expand this initiative to reach the family islands and partner with government stakeholders to ensure that youth mental health becomes a national priority.
Barbara’s Lighthouse extends heartfelt thanks to Lizzie Foster and Lorraine Kenlock of The Elephant Room, Zaria Ingham, Dahanda Pluviose (National Apprentice), Myriam Hernandez, Drexwell Seymour, Stacey Jogie, Samuel Dormeus, Arielle Neely, Dr Angela Brooks, Dr Finbar Grant and Leonardo Lightburn for their invaluable partnership, sharing their knowledge and helping to create a nurturing environment for open dialogue. Gratitude is also due to our incredible sponsors: Crackpot Kitchen, Flow, Interhealth Canada TCI, Got You Covered, Brayton Hall, Chinson’s, R&S Funeral Services, TCI National Internship and Apprenticeship Program, Christie’s International Real Estate, and R&B Tires.
The youth are watching and speaking. Let us listen, uplift, and lead with love.
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