About Us
A cornerstone of youth development in the British Virgin Islands, the Youth Empowerment Project (YEP) was founded in 2005 by philanthropists and community leaders. YEP’s original location in East End Tortola, built on land donated by the BVI government, has provided more than 5,000 BVI children since 2005 with enriching activities to develop academic, social, athletic, and leadership skills.
Over the years, YEP has also brought its signature programming to children in Virgin Gorda and Road Town via summer pop-ups supported by Unite BVI and the Rotary Club of Tortola. In response to requests from the community in Virgin Gorda, YEP will soon bring its signature youth programming to Virgin Gorda through a new Youth Centre, which is being built by Unite BVI and community donors, again on land donated by the BVI Government.
“YEPpies,” as children participating in YEP are called, participate in daily after-school programming, as well as Christmas, Easter, and Summer programmes. From gardening, painting, and cooking to coding, sports, and swimming, children choose from a wide variety of fun programs taught by caring youth development professionals and community mentors. In 2023, YEP launched the Learning, Earning, and Advancing Dreams (LEAD) Programme, a special workforce development initiative for teens interested in hospitality and other BVI industries.
Youth engagement, positive development, and academic achievement among participants has been consistently strong. YEP helps students to stay in school and excel in their academic work. Over the years, YEPpies have consistently distinguished themselves in school, excelling through graduation and achieving high honors. In 2025 alone, over 75% of YEP participants made the honour roll. That same year, the organization celebrated 20 graduates, including two salutatorians and one valedictorian. Approximately 85% of participants return year after year, demonstrating sustained engagement with YEP.
YEP Locations
- YEP East End is located at Fat Hogs Bay, Tortola, BVI.
- YEP Virgin Gorda is situated at Handsome Bay, Virgin Gorda, BVI (as of Summer/Fall 2026).
Founding Family’s Message
Inspired by a simple mission – to provide a safe and enriching place for East End kids to come after school – the Jarecki Family and BVI leaders joined together to establish the Youth Empowerment Project (YEP) in 2005.
More than 20 years later, YEP has benefitted over 5,000 BVI children, providing more than 1 million hours of instruction and opportunity after school and during holidays and summer. From computer classes and homework help to outdoor sports and arts and crafts, the focus is on enabling kids to learn new things, develop leadership capabilities, and, most importantly, have fun.
And YEP is growing! Following successful pop-ups in Road Town and Virgin Gorda, YEP is partnering with Unite BVI to bring its signature programming to a permanent location in Virgin Gorda. This will expand YEP’s reach beyond YEP’s original location on East End, Tortola to serve a total of more than 300 children each year.
We are grateful for the enthusiasm of so many members of the BVI community who join our family in supporting YEP. Together, we know that investing in our youth is the best possible path to a brighter future – for the BVI and for us all!
Jarecki Family
Guana Island and Pirate’s Bight
Mission
To provide a safe, engaging, and supportive environment where the youth of the Virgin Islands can develop social, emotional, and academic skills to reach their full potential.
Vision
To inspire a generation of empowered, resilient, and community-minded youth who actively shape a bright future for the Virgin Islands.
Board of Directors
YEP’s Board of Directors is comprised of dedicated members of the Jarecki family and the BVI community who lend their time, talent, and treasure to advancing YEP’s mission to provide a safe, engaging, and supportive environment where BVI youth can develop the social, emotional, and academic skills to reach their full potential.
Current members include:
- Andrew R. Jarecki (Chair)
- Noni M. Georges
- The Hon. Stacy Mather, MBE
- The Lorna Smith, OBE
Leadership
Executive Director
The Hon. Stacy Mather, MBE
Stacy Mather, MBE, is a veteran educator and the founding Executive Director of YEP, the British Virgin Islands’ leading youth development initiative. Since establishing YEP in 2005, Stacy has leveraged his background in teaching and educational leadership to build a transformative, culturally relevant mentorship framework supporting BVI youth, families, and schools. His lifelong commitment to community service earned him an MBE in 2020. Today, he continues to serve the public as an elected Territorial-At-Large Representative in the House of Assembly, a role he has held since 2023.
Email: mather@yepbvi.com
Deputy Director
Ms. Bianca J. Dougan
Ms. Dougan joined YEP as Deputy Director in 2024 after spending 10 years teaching science at Elmore Stoutt High School. She leads YEP’s programs and works closely with families and the wider community.
Born and raised in Belle Vue, Tortola, Ms. Dougan attended Althea Scatliffe Primary School and B.V.I. High School before continuing her studies in the United States. She earned a degree in Mortuary Science from the University of Minnesota on a full athletic scholarship and later returned home to serve her community through education and youth development.
Passionate about helping young people succeed, Ms. Dougan mentors youth across the Virgin Islands through pageants, dance, modelling, and cheerleading, inspiring them to build confidence, leadership skills, and reach their full potential.
Email: dougan@yepbvi.com
Unit Manager (Virgin Gorda)
Ms. Safiya A. S. Vanterpool
Ms. Vanterpool serves as Unit Manager of YEP Virgin Gorda, where she oversees the organization’s programming and operations. She earned both a Bachelor of Arts in Dance and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Colorado State University in 2020.
Prior to joining YEP in 2026, Ms. Vanterpool worked in New York City as an operations manager and educator for several dance-focused nonprofit organizations. She is also a certified pointe shoe fitter through BLOCH. Drawing on her professional expertise and personal connection to Virgin Gorda, she is dedicated to creating meaningful experiences that help young people thrive.
Email: vanterpool@yepbvi.com
YEP Alumni
“I was always a quiet child, but I had many thoughts. Mr. Mather, Ms. Rabsatt, Ms. Sagala, and many other mentors over the years truly helped free the energetic, inquisitive, and daring young man trapped inside. YEP showed me that it was alright not to be a monolith. That it was okay to challenge ideas, try new things, and break old curses. YEP was also there during some of my darkest moments, and I was reminded that it is also okay to cry. I have lost many things, but I truly hope I never lose my memories of YEP.”
Somewhat of a serial careerist, Randall has accumulated a number of areas of service and expertise. Primarily, he has worked for the U.S. federal government in varying capacities as a civilian employee. Taking his federal service further, Randall went on to commission as an officer in the U.S. Air Force Reserves. In addition to his primary duties, he also works within the health & fitness industry, web services industry, and volunteers as a big brother with Big Brothers Big Sisters. Initially, with a focus in computer science, cyber security, and management, Randall attended Monroe College in New York City and King’s College London in London, UK. However, his latest career pursuit involves following the long and enduring path of medicine. He is set to begin his pre-med classes in Fall 2026.
“Looking back, YEP was the catalyst for who I am today. It introduced me to opportunities that felt completely out of reach and brought me my first true friends, who helped me step out of my comfort zone. The adventurous version of myself truly began at YEP.”
Since being a part of YEP, Stephon has continued to grow both personally and professionally. He currently works as a Staff Accountant at the BVI Financial Services Commission and will begin a new role as a Regulator in the Specialised Supervision Unit in July 2026. Passionate about growth and learning, Stephon hopes to pursue a Master’s degree in Business/Data Analytics and use his experiences to make a positive impact within his community while inspiring young people to aim high and stay focused.