The Work and Objectives of Youth Against Violence
From his headquarters in Nassau, Bahamas, Lester Turnquest leads the Green Bay Group, Ltd., which provides a range of financial services to clients. Beyond his work, Lester Turnquest supports several charities in Nassau, Bahamas, including Youth Against Violence (YAV).
Established in 1996, YAV is the brainchild of former gang leader Carlos Reid. Following his reformation, Mr. Reid has endeavored to help young people who find themselves in at-risk situations similar to those he experienced in his youth. As such, the YAV has a short-term goal of reducing violence and criminal activities among youth by 50 percent, with a long-term goal of facilitating the implementation of a zero tolerance policy relating to violence and crime in the Bahamas.
Currently, the YAV serves around 200 people between the ages of 10 and 25, most of whom reside in New Providence. Approximately 40 percent of the young people YAV serves are females, with the rest being males, and many now lead more productive lives having completed YAV programs.