Grounded in Challenges, Growing in Greatness

UNICEF has worked extensively with the Government and Ministry of Human Development to protect children and nurture them to reach their fullest potential. We continue to invest in prevention, early intervention, and family and community support programmes to break the cycle and help children build positive, productive lives. 

Hosted by the Community Rehabilitation Department in collaboration with UNICEF, The Youth Resiliency Award (YRA) is a transformative initiative designed to honor young individuals who have faced significant adversity and emerge with strength, purpose, and acommitment to positive change. The program celebrates youth who were once identified as at-risk and are now demonstrating sustained personal growth and resilience. These awardees are drawn from among those engaged in rehabilitation and reintegration efforts, and their stories reflect the power of support, opportunity, and determination.
The YRA program aims to:
1. Acknowledge resilience, personal transformation, and growth in youth who have overcome challenges, including conflict with the law.
2. Encourage continued progress and goal-setting by publicly recognizing achievements and reinforcing positive pathways.
3. Showcase inspiring youth stories to break stigma, promote inclusion, and uplift others in similar circumstances.

By celebrating these young changemakers, the Youth Resiliency Award affirms the belief that every child deserves a second chance and that with the right support, they can thrive and lead the way for others.This initiative is a transformative programme that aligns with UNICEF’s Child Protection Programme that advocates for rehabilitative approaches, such as vocational training, community service, and parenting support programmes, which aim to reintegrate youth into society and foster their potential. 

The goal of any justice intervention should be rehabilitation and reintegration, not punishment. UNICEF Belize supports the Community Rehabilitation Department to run the Diversion Program. The Diversion Program works to “divert’ youths and minors who come in conflict with the law by supporting their psychological needs and helping them to avoid entering the juvenile justice system. We will continue to support this programme because alternatives such as diversion, community-based rehabilitation, and restorative justice are more effective in reducing reoffending and supporting reintegration. Children should be supported to return to their communities with dignity, equipped with life skills, education, and opportunities for a better future. We are committed to this work on behalf of the adolescent and youth of Belize. 

By celebrating resilience, the award helps shift public perception from punishment to empowerment, reinforcing the belief that every child deserves a second chance and the opportunity to thrive. Through our collective efforts the diversion programme has helped many adolescents and youth to transition from despair into a hopeful future.  

Congratulations to this year's award recipients!