GENESIS (Social Enteprise)

GENESIS

Growing Expression, Nurturing Empowerment, Strengthening Identity & Self

1. What is the problem?

In Grenada, many young people particularly girls and marginalized youth are facing a silent crisis that stems from the lack of access to platforms for expression, emotional support, and holistic development.

While academic instruction is emphasized, creative expression, mental health literacy, and emotional resilience are often undervalued or absent in schools, homes, and communities. This lack of safe spaces and structured creative outlets contributes to:

1. Emotional Suppression & Mental Health Stigma

Many youth feel unable to express their thoughts, feelings, or pain without judgment.

Mental health struggles (anxiety, depression, trauma) are under-recognized or dismissed as “disrespect” or “attitude.”

Therapeutic support is limited or inaccessible in rural and underserved areas.

2. Limited Access to Creative Expression

There are few safe, inclusive spaces for art, poetry, music, dance, or creative writing.

Creative talents are undernurtured seen as hobbies, not tools for healing or communication.

Youth who don’t excel academically often feel invisible or undervalued.

3. Social Disconnection & Low Self-Worth

A lack of emotional literacy leads to breakdowns in peer communication, self-esteem, and identity.

Many teens and pre-teens especially girls struggle with body image, confidence, and relationship boundaries.

Marginalized youth (e.g. survivors of trauma, low-income) often feel isolated and unsupported.

4. Disempowerment & Underrepresentation

Youth voices are rarely invited to decision-making tables or community projects.

There is a gap between what youth feel and what adults or institutions allow them to express.

Opportunities for creative leadership, entrepreneurship, and mentorship are limited or reserved for “high performers.”

The Result?

Too many young people in Grenada are growing up:

Disconnected from themselves and others

Silenced emotionally and creatively

Undersupported in their healing, growth, and voice

Summary

Many young people in Grenada particularly in rural and underserved areas lack access to safe, inclusive, and consistent platforms for creative expression (e.g. art, poetry, music, storytelling, dance), and support for emotional wellbeing.

This lack of access contributes to:

1. Suppressed emotions

2. Low self-esteem

3. Poor mental health

4. Social disconnection

5. Underdevelopment of talents

6. limited empowerment, especially among girls and marginalized youth

2. Who is most affected by it?

Teenagers and young adults (ages 11–24)

Especially:

Girls and young women

Youth in rural communities

Youth not engaged in traditional academics or church-based programs

Survivors of trauma or family instability

Youth with creative gifts that are not nurtured

These groups often feel invisible, invalidated, and excluded from the traditional systems that value only academic or athletic excellence.

3. How long has this been a problem?

This has been a long-standing issue, but it’s becoming more urgent:

Mental health awareness is only recently being acknowledged in Grenadian society,

Creativity as healing is still underused or misunderstood

With the effects of COVID-19, economic stress, and rising social media pressures, the emotional needs of youth have become more complex, yet are still under-addressed

Youth have been struggling quietly for at least 1–2 generations, but in recent years, their need to express, connect, and be heard has increased dramatically.

4. Has anyone addressed it before? How?

Yes, but in limited or isolated ways.

Efforts include:

Short-term creative workshops (often donor-led or school-based, e.g. writing or drama for GBV awareness)

One-off mental health webinars or school talks

Cultural programs (e.g. independence calypso, dance groups)

NGOs like GrenCHAP, UN Women, and GNOW occasionally fund youth expression projects

Church or school clubs offer some space for youth voice, but often with restrictions or judgment

What’s missing is:

Consistency

Safe, inclusive spaces (especially for vulnerable youth)

Integration of creative expression + emotional healing

Youth leadership in designing the solution

5. Why is it a problem? (Why does it matter?)

Because when youth are silenced, unsupported, or invalidated:

They disconnect from their identity

Emotions get internalized** as anxiety, depression, or anger

They act out or shut down, leading to underperformance, risk-taking, or hopelessness

Their talents go undeveloped

They lose trust in institutions (school, church, family)

Worse yet, creativity one of the most natural and therapeutic tools we have is left untapped as a source of healing, pride, and power.

This is not just a youth problem it is also community loss.

Identify the solution

1. What solutions have others created?

Here are some Grenada-based or Caribbean-based efforts aimed at youth empowerment, creativity, or healing:

A. Creative & Cultural Initiatives

Spicemas youth segments: focuses on performance arts (calypso, dance) but often competitive, short-term, or only available during Carnival.

Ministry of Culture workshops: art, music, drama sometimes school-based, but not long-term or healing-focused.

B. Youth Programs

GrenCHAP’s Peer Education Trainings builds awareness around gender-based violence and peer advocacy.

UN Women workshops: offer mentorship and self-expression for girls, but often one-off.

Youth emergency programs (NADMA, Red Cross) build leadership but not emotional or expressive spaces.

C. Mental Health Talks

Some NGOs, schools, and churches hold discussions on emotional wellbeing but these often:

Don’t include artistic expression

Are one-time events

Lack peer-led or trauma-informed methods

2. Why did these efforts work or not work?

- What Worked

- Brought youth together

- Gave space to speak or perform

- Built awareness

- Used creative forms (sometimes)

- Encouraged leadership

What Didn’t

- Short-term / One-off events

- Focused only on awareness, not healing

- Excluded non-academic / “quiet” youth

- Lacked safe space for vulnerability

- Didn’t combine expression + wellbeing

3. What does the community want?

A safe, non-judgmental space to express themselves

Regular opportunities for poetry, music, art, journaling, storytelling

Mental wellness without the stigma

Opportunities to lead, mentor, and be seen

Healing and fun, not just lectures

To feel valued even if they’re not “top performers”

4. Why has this want not been met?

Youth expression is still undervalued (“You talk too much,” “Art won’t pay bills”)

Emotional support is either religious or clinical not peer-led,,expressive, or creative

Creative programming is often seasonal, donor-dependent, or inaccessible outside the city

There are few adult allies trained in both creative + trauma-informed youth work

No integrated system that connects expression + emotional healing + empowerment

5. So… How Can I Help Facilitate the Solution?

Through GENESIS, Ican create what’s missing:

A safe, consistent space for creative youth expression

Monthly “Creative Clinics” and Echo Circles

Not judged by grades, talent, or performance

A blend of expression + healing + education

Art is not just fun it’s a tool for healing and identity building

A program that listens to youth, not just talks at them

Youth-led workshops, exhibitions, and journals

Feedback circles, leadership tracks

A sustainable model:

Partner with schools, NGOs, and local artists

Train youth mentors

Blend workshops, merch, and community campaigns

Registration

REGISTERING GENESIS IN GRENADA

(As a Nonprofit / NGO / Youth Social Enterprise)

1. Decide my Legal Structure

Non-Profit Organization (NGO)

2. Reserve a Name

Visit or contact the Corporate Affairs and Intellectual Property Office (CAIPO) in Grenada

Request a name search and reservation for “GENESIS” (or a variation like "GENESIS Youth Movement" or "GENESIS Grenada")

Cost: EC\$25–EC\$75 range

3. Draft my Key Documents

Ill need:

A. Constitution or Articles of Association

Clearly state GENESIS’s:

Name, objectives, mission

Structure (board, founder, volunteers, members)

Decision-making and financial rules

Nonprofit status

B. Founding Members (at least 3–5)

I’ll need a board or executive team

Example: President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary

4. Register the Organization

Go to:

CAIPO Office, Tanteen, St. George’s

Website: [https://caipo.gov.gd](https://caipo.gov.gd)

Ask for the NGO or Company Registration process

submit your name reservation + constitution + board list

Cost: \~EC\$300–EC\$500 depending on status (nonprofit may have discounted rates)

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5. Apply for a TIN (Tax Identification Number)

Needed to open a bank account in GENESIS’s name. Visit theInland Revenue Department with registration documents

6. Open a Bank Account

Under GENESIS’s name with 2–3 authorized signatories

Needed for receiving donations, grants, and payments

7. Optional: Register with Ministry of Youth or Social Development

1. Core Team (Foundational Leadership)

These are the people responsible for day-to-day operations, big-picture planning, and ensuring GENESIS runs smoothly.

Executive Director / Founder

Oversees the entire organization. Provides vision and direction, builds partnerships, manages fundraising, and ensures alignment with GENESIS’s mission.

Program Coordinator

Plans, organizes, and manages all creative and healing sessions, workshops, and youth events. Coordinates logistics, guest facilitators, and follow-ups.

Administrative Officer

Keeps things organized. Manages schedules, documents, registration forms, participant records, and handles communication with partners and parents.

Finance and Grants Officer

Manages the budget, processes donations and grants, writes financial reports, and applies for funding opportunities. Ensures transparency and accountability.

Communications and Outreach Lead

Manages social media, email newsletters, flyers, and general branding. Builds awareness around GENESIS activities and values, and connects with the public and youth.

Creative Facilitator(s)

Leads sessions in poetry, art, music, storytelling, journaling, or dance. Works directly with youth, guiding them through creative expression and reflective activities.

Youth Representative(s)

Voices the real needs, ideas, and feedback from the young people GENESIS serves. Helps co-design programs and sometimes co-facilitates peer-led circles.

2. Support Staff (Part-Time or Flexible Roles)

Mental Health Advisor or Counsellor

Offers emotional guidance, trauma-informed input, and ensures workshops are safe and supportive for all participants.

Workshop Assistants

Help during sessions by setting up, guiding group work, assisting facilitators, and supporting youth participants.

Monitoring and Evaluation Officer

Tracks the impact of GENESIS. Designs feedback tools (like surveys or journals), collects data, and helps write reports for donors or public sharing.

Media and Tech Support

Handles photography, videography, editing, sound equipment, and digital publishing for youth zines or showcases.

3. Volunteers and Interns

Peer Mentors

Trained young leaders who co-facilitate workshops, offer support to peers, and model confidence and vulnerability.

Community Artists or Creatives

Local poets, dancers, musicians, writers, or painters who want to give back through one-off or recurring workshops.

Photographers or Videographers

Help document events and create visual content for campaigns and journals

Administrative or Event Volunteers

Help with logistics, registration tables, transportation, refreshments, or general event support.