Christian Church, Christian faith, Finsbury Park, peer support, Rainbow Theatre, young people, youth development,
Tuesday 3rd February 2015
Saturday 7 February will be V-Day 21015 at the Rainbow Theatre, Finsbury Park. Hundreds of young people from many parts of the UK, together with family members and friends, will gather for the Victory Youth Group’s (VYG) ninth annual awards ceremony.
They will see Youth of the Year awards presented to winners from each of the 27 VYG branches, the presentation of Branch of the Year award and trophies and medals handed to winners and runners up in the club’s Victory Football cup. In addition there will be a lively programme of song, dance and poetry – put on by talented VYG members.
“V-Day is a very special occasion as it is when young people who in the eyes of many were just troublemakers, receive awards for their personal growth and development during the past year,” said Victor Alves, the national VYG leader.
“It’s profoundly moving to see the way youths, many of whom were despised not so long ago, making substantial improvements to their lives by striving to be better and getting there. Importantly, this further motivates winners and audience members alike.”
Elizabeth Rafael, one of the 2014 winners agreed. She said: “Winning Youth of the Year was a great milestone in my life. It really gave me a boost and an extra drive for the year [ahead] knowing that what I have done and how I dedicated myself to the work of the VYG didn’t go unnoticed. It made me feel valued as an individual and has inspired me to keep giving my best in everything I do.”
The criteria for winning are that the VYG member has to have made the biggest impression on their group leaders and peers over the previous 12 months, in terms of exemplary dedication to hard work, personal achievement, peer support and good conduct.
Victor Alves added: “After eight years we decided to refresh our work and treat 2014 as a new year of foundation from which to move the group forward and we have some good results in terms of youth development.
“Young people are struggling to establish sound values in our society. Many are influenced by such factors as absence of a father figure, bullying, high levels of sexual and physical abuse and so much more, leading to depression and emotional issues. It’s not easy for youths to change and move forward and inspiring all round when they do.”
ENDS
Notes to editors
UCKG is a Christian church and registered charity that offers a range of practical support activities alongside spiritual support and comfort and welcomes all-comers. It reached the UK in 1995 and has gone from strength to strength, providing support and spreading the Christian faith. There are UCKG HelpCentre branches in England and Wales.
The UCKG HelpCentre’s youth group, VYG, is a major long-term priority. Designed for 15 – 25 year olds, the VYG provides the same family-style peer group support that attracts young people to gang life, but without the destructive behaviours. Rather, it helps and encourages the young to be the best that they can be.
For further information please contact the UCKG HelpCentre Press Officer via e-mail on press@uckgnew.org or direct line 020 7686 6033.
