It was an emotional day with some tears, much laughter and a pervading sense of hope. About 50 people gathered at the Shirley Retreat Hotel in Kingston to celebrate the graduation of 12 young men from an employment skills training program. The Colour Pink Group was responsible for this training and this was the graduation of the second cohort. Founded by Jermaine Burton and Astley Gray, the group aims to provide vocational training, education in HIV and sexual health, psychosocial support and mentorship and school homework assistance for young men who face stigma and discrimination as a result of how people perceive them.

“This program helped me in so many ways,” said Kemar, 25. “I can go into the working world and be more intelligent. Trust me, right now, I’m a very good computer person.”

Kemar was one of the 12 who told the audience how the program had benefitted him. “This has been a very fun roller coaster, and I’ve learned a lot and built friendships,” Jordan said. Alvin told the crowd that “this program has done a lot for me. Normally, I’m not an early person, but since I’m in the program, it helped me to be an early person and it teach me a lot in office administration. I’ve been in the street now for awhile and I know I will always make it.”

From the first cohort, Dwayne told the audience that the Colour Pink Group’s programming has been “life-changing” for him. “Trust me, words can’t even explain all I felt about the program. It has helped me tremendously.”

This cohort, which began the journey last fall, consisted of 12 young men who identify as gay, bisexual, transgender, men who have sex with men or sex worker. They received training in office administration and customer service, and all 12 received a certificate, which will help them obtain employment. This course was held every Saturday for several months, and participants had to show up on time (9am) and in uniform (black pants and shirt). Because many of them do not have a stable living environment (they call themselves sofa surfers), nor money for transportation or food, things we take for granted are a challenge. In fact, many of them have not finished high school, let alone have a job, as they face stigma, discrimination and attacks in their communities and from their families. As a result, they lack the education and social skills that their “straight” peers come by easily.

The Colour Pink Group receives financial and other support from entities like UNAIDS, the National Family Planning Board, J-FLAG and Ashy. In addition, the program received support in the form of a government training program called Heart Trust, which supplied a teacher called Miss Alvaranda. “These guys are like my children,” she said. “They stick it out and come down on Saturday. They would call me at nights about homework assignments and some of these guys really have a lot of issues with how people deal with them.” Upon finishing her remarks, Miss Alvaranda told the participants she loved them, and in turn, they shouted back “We love you too, Miss Alvaranda.”

This is the kind of love and acceptance these young men are seeking, not to mention a stable home and employment. “We have a place in society, and we need to claim it back,” Colour Pink Group founder Jermaine told the audience. In particular, he referred to creating sustainable jobs and living situations for a group of young men who live on the streets, most recently in a storm drain, from where they were kicked out in December. They are now scattered all over Kingston, without the community that offered some sense of protection.

In this cohort, of the 12 participants (15 started, but three dropped out), 6 have found part-time or full-time jobs (at Rise Life Management, IWED, Ministry of Health, Ashy and Children First) , an astounding success rate. Thirteen received a certificate and 12 sat the Heart Trust exam, all of which will help with getting hired. Three have pending internships.

“I’m very impressed and proud to see you all stick it through, even with all the funding challenges, and I encourage you to keep pressing through,” said the National Family Planning Board’s Kayan Lue. “I’m very proud of you guys, keep up the good work. Dane Lewis, director of J-FLAG, singled out the accomplishment and dedication of Jermaine, who has been homeless himself. “I’m very proud of Jermaine too,” he said. Miss Campbell of IWED, which also provided training, said she was grateful to see the transition of the young men from the start of the process until now, especially in their deportment and dress.

Telvin, the class valedictorian, gave a wonderful speech, then a beautiful poem was read by the first cohort’s Dwayne.

After these presentations and remarks, everyone was treated to a performance by a participant named Roger, which had all in hysterics. Pictures were then taken and food enjoyed, a moment of respite before these young men must go back on the streets and fight for their survival.