 To address the issue of deviant behavior and the lack of employable skills among the nation's youth, the Saint Lucia Social Development Fund, SSDF, an agency under the Ministry of Equity, Social Justice, and Empowerment has reintroduced a highly impactful student retreat component as part of its Our Boy Smarter program. Hosted at the Support for Education, Empowerment, and Development Center on March 1st, 2024, the Collaborative Initiative between Marcy Stor's Limited, Saint Lucia Electricity Services Limited, and SSDF, engaged community educators and potential mentors in getting young men ready for the realities of adulthood and the labor force. Our Boy Smarter program coordinator, Reneal Steven, emphasized the importance of bridging the gap between academic education and real-world readiness for boys in their former TVS. This is something we feel that is of utmost importance to the students who are in Form 5 on the Our Boy Smarter project. In years past, we have done retreats for students in Form 5, and we realize that students who are in Form 5 are getting ready for the world of work. But as to what do they know about preparing for that, what do they know about what's going on outside there, we realize it's lacking. Hence, why we put a lot of emphasis on planning this program and ensuring that you benefit from it. The program targeted over 100 of the most vulnerable marginalized and indigent boys from Forms 1 to 4 at 11 secondary schools in the north, the Center for Adolescence, Rehabilitation and Education Care, and one secondary school in the south of the island. Executive Director of the Saint Lucia Social Development Fund, John Vitrin, spoke to like choices of individuals transitioning from Form 5. Because the reality, a lot of us end up in Form 5 in a fifth form and we really and truly don't have a clue as to what is our next step in life. And the winds of life simply blow us in one particular direction or the other. Now you cannot live something that is so valuable as your life to chance. And sometimes, if you don't take time out to assess yourself and make some solid decisions for yourself, your friend would determine where you end up in life. A significant benefit of the Our Boys Matter program lies in its facilitation of afterschool support, a critical component in providing young men with extra guidance, knowledge, professional development, professional work ethics, and support needed to successfully navigate the challenges of their current academic pursuits and future career paths. Vivante Seria, a Form 4 participant from the Vuford A level, shared his experience. I benefited immensely from this program since the aim was to develop young men in a holistic manner. As part of the program, we had periodic school visits from one of the facilitators to get updates on our progress at school as well as to inquire about any personal challenges. I was exposed to presentations which contributed to my personal growth. For increased impact, the Our Boys Matter program has expanded its reach by adapting a holistic approach that extends support to other family members within participants' households. To date, the program has successfully enrolled 105 students around the island. From the Ministry of Equity, Social Justice, and Empowerment, Shavraimarius.