New guidance, counselling group launched in Guyana

As Guyana continues to face challenges in addressing many social issues, a new guidance and counselling services group dubbed ‘Social Life Issues’ was launched on Tuesday.
The organisation is the brainchild of its coordinator and well-known counsellor, John Greaves, who worked for several years with the Salvation Army’s Drug Rehabilitation Programme. Greaves told media operatives on Tuesday that the organisation hopes to address a range of issues that plagues society to bring about changes in family life and to create a better society for all.

“We intend to move into various social ills as an organisation. In fact, our objectives states that we would like to bring assistance to those in need of such a service, as it relates to the many social ills that can result in dilemma or disaster for the family and the individual and, by extension, society,” Greaves explained.  He also disclosed that the organisation has introduced its Drug Prevention Education Programme in two private schools – Josel Educational Institute and Mercy Wings Vocational School – and plans to have 12 more schools on board by September.
Vision
The coordinator added that while there are several other organisations that provide similar services, Social Life Issues is a more practical-based group and has what it takes to bring meaningful changes to families and individuals. Greaves said he is confident about this, given that a competent team has been put together to oversee the affairs of the organisation. These persons include: experienced counsellors and psychologists such as Fay Greaves, Will Campbell, Joan Alleyne, and Beverly Rogers.
The coordinator said, “We have a vision which is founded in the fact that given my own experience where I served as a senior counsellor for many years and the others in the team and the amount of clientele which I have come into contact with, brought about that vision to create an organisation to help address social ills.”
Greaves noted that financial support is necessary if they are to achieve the objectives of bringing needed change to the Guyanese society.
So far, the organisation has received some support from Digicel, DaSilva House of Optics and Lucky Dollar Food Shop, among others. Digicel is currently sponsoring the two schools.
In addition, the group is looking forward to hosting annual workshops for businesses and other interested groups and organisations that are willing to participate. Focus will also be placed on helping young single parents to focus on family planning and family development among other critical issues to help in social development.
Social Life Issues has a week of activities planned to introduce the services it offers. The group will open its office at 193 Charlotte and Wellington streets, Georgetown, while a special cocktail ceremony will be held at Water Chris Hotel on Saturday. A roundtable discussion has also been planned.