Bridging the gap between troubled communities is the mission of The Area Youth Foundation.

The community-based foundation's wine-and-cheese Christmas fund-raiser was held recently to raise funds for the worthy cause. It is the first event of its kind for the group according to James Bell, general manager of Area Youth.

Established in 1997 by Sheila Graham, the mostly arts-based group brings young people together from troubled and violence-prone communities by providing them with an outlet for their frustrations through acting and singing. The foundation has also helped its members to find jobs.

Guests were treated to a variety of cheeses, crackers, grapes, wines and juices at the Super Plus head office on Beverly Vale Close, St Andrew.

Members of the AYKrew, provided the entertainment by performing original songs from their upcoming album. Those were interlaced with skits about the struggles of young people.

Sexual prowess

One skit had a young man explaining his sexual prowess with women by naming, with some difficulty, his numerous children with them.

Graham explained that most of their songs and skits come from discussions during their workshops. She also encouraged the audience to look out for the music video We Need to Stop which features AYKrew and is directed by Rick Elgood. A documentary was also filmed about making the video with riveting interviews with some individuals from various inner-city communities. It will be aired on local television soon.

Special thanks were offered to 1876 Wines, Chocolate Dreams, Super Plus Food Stores, Intec Lighting, among others, for their contribution to the event.

Guests included Rick Elgood, Caroline Bankcroft, Wayne Chen, Ainsley Henriques, P.B. Scott, Karen Wilson, Andrea Marie Brown, Shawn Lindo, Judy Byrne, Peter Lindo, Muriel Valentine.