YOUTH EMANCIPATION & REHABILITATION FOUNDATION (YERF)

MISSION

Championing a just and progressive society with an empowered youth population having access to social justice, economic opportunities and protection of human rights, achieving full potential as responsible citizens

VISION

YERF envisions “A society of empowered youth Population”

MAIN GOAL

Strengthened Social Justice Reforms for the Nigerian women and Youth Population by keeping them informed about issues and concerns that affects their everyday living, EMANCIPATE them from Life threatening habits, circumstances and situations, EMPOWER them by imparting and strengthening required skills and exposures, provide them opportunities to develop to their full potential while involving them in all the stages of their personal development, that of their communities, state and the Nigeria nation

CORE VALUES

• Accountability and Transparency: We hold ourselves accountable to both internal and external stakeholders, upholding openness and honesty in our operations and taking responsibility and ownership for our actions
• Excellence: We uphold good work ethics and strive for the best in everything we do
• Integrity: We are committed to doing the right things at all times
• Partnership: We value working with relevant stakeholders, recognizing their potentials and values and harvesting deploying resources appropriately for mutual benefits
• Humility: We operate at the level of simplicity that he vulnerable people can feel free to approach and confide in us with love
• Selfless service: We derive joy and fulfilment in rendering service to the vulnerable without expectation of reward from there, but from God.
• Teamwork: We work together with one mind, for a common purpose, believing that together we can achieve more

WHAT WE DO

• Baseline/Formative research
• Primary Health Care
• Adolescent health development programs
• Communicable/Non-communicable disease prevention control e.g. STI/HIV/AIDS, Malaria, TB, Breast and Cervical cancer
• Empowerment programs e.g. training, micro-finance, social welfare

OBJECTIVES

• To conduct baseline studies [community diagnoses] to identify Health and basic youth needs
• To provide basic Health Education and Information training to Youths for development, Economic Growth and Poverty alleviation
• To provide Essential Drugs
• To develop, field-test and produce BCC Materials i.e. Posters, Handouts etc
• To raise Awareness on STD/HIV&AIDS, promote and provide
• Home/Community Based Care
• To Collaborate with other Bodies or Agencies Promoting Youth Development

STRATEGIES ADOPTED

• Advocacy / Sensitization
• Behavioural Change Communication (BCC)
• Home/Community Based Care
• Youth Friendly Resource Centers
• Training Peer Educators
• Health service provision

YERF believes that networking, collective efforts, sharing of knowledge, resources and information are key to success as long as addressing the global developmental issues and challenges of youths are concerned. Keeping this critical fact in mind; the organization always tries to join all such forums and networks which directly link to its mission and objectives. In this regard, the Foundation has joined the following important networks operating at local and international levels: Government Agencies Youth Councils, Private and Government Organizations, International and National Non-Governmental and Religious bodies such as:

• Development Measures Global Network · BudgiT
• Information Resource Center (USA Embassy)
• Alpha Kapital MFB
• African Youth Rehabilitation Initiative
• Information Resource Center (USA Embassy)

HUMAN RESOURCES

. The vision bearer (Jennifer Ukaobasi Esq), a Project Management Professional with a certification in Monitoring and Evaluation from Development Measures Global Networks Ltd. is a chartered arbitrator from the Chartered Institute of Arbitration (UK) She has over 16 years of experience in Relationship and Financial Management Professional in the Banking Sector and over 17 years' experience in legal practices. She undertook an Execute MBA programme with Business School Netherlands (2010) bagged a Diploma in French from Alliance Francaise (French Village) (2013) and is a Fellow Chartered Institute of Credit Administrators

Asiodu Tochi Juliet
An accountant certified in (NIM) Nigeria Institute of Chartered Manager and also a Project Manager (PM). she has served as a credit unit officer in the banking sector.

Augustine Unamba, a programme officer II is a trained Microbiologist and a certified Monitoring & Evaluation Officer

Dr. Iro Blessing,
The medical officer is an experienced optometrist with over 5 years' experience.

Michael Sunday Faleti
is our head of operations. He has held various positions in the banking industry ranging from fund transfer officer, system engineer, ATM/IT support staff, transaction officer and customer care officer.

Ishaya Samuel Gadzama
Trained in Microbiology and Virology at the graduate and post graduate level respectively. He is an erudite infectious disease personnel and the senior programme officer.

David Onyeka
Our ICT Head. He is a certified web and graphics designer as well as a certified Health and Safety Officer (HSC I, II, & III)

Uju Jessica Anyiam Esq
Our legal officer and Abuja Program Manager, she has over 6 years’ cognate experience in legal practice. She is a trained make-up artist and therefore takes our student members on skill acquisition like make-up, bead making and clothe making. . In addition, YERF hires the project staff as and when required. The foundation also engages volunteers and interns on need basis.

Amb. Nwadinobi Okezie
A PR professional and our PR officer. He has a Bsc in Marketing 2010 from Michael Okpara University Of Agriculture Umudike. He is an event planner, public Speaker and a teen/youth advocate, member of Nigerian Institute of public relations, member of American Young leaders initiative network, member of young African leaders initiative network, member of African Leadership Institute. He also gives pep talks to our student members as well as counsels them

Engr. Ogbonnaya Kalu Okorafor
A Civil Engineer Graduate of the Prestigious University of Nigeria Nsukka. He is a pastor of Bible Life Christian Centre, he is a mentor and counselor too. He is Secondary School Outreach Project Coordinator.

Eke Chiamaka Prisca
A student of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike, She is also our Tertiary institution representative she assists with imparting skills like baking and snacks making to the secondary school members.

Nwosu Onyebuchi Desmond
Our Open Government Partnership representative in Abia state, he also represents the vulnerable in our foundation.

Agbazu Happiness
A graduate of Religious Studies and Philosophy from Abia state University Uturu Abia State 2019. Her research work is on “The Effects Of Child Abuse in the Development Of Nkwoegwu Community”. Though our treasurer, she also works as a trainner with us with her Hair styling, make-up and snacks making skills

Ogechukwu Igboamaghi Kalu
Though visually impaired, is a Mass Communication’s Graduate of our saviour institute of science, Agriculture and Technology Enugu in 2014, he anchors our youth motivational radio interactive session, and he is our Project Manager on the visually impaired projects

Ogba Ejike
Student of Economics, Michael Okpara university of agriculture, Umudike He is our Social Media Handler, he is also our Assistant Tertiary institution representative.

Okwudiba Izunna Anthony
Has a HND Accountancy in 2016 from Federal Polytechnic Nekede, Owerri, Imo State. He is the Youth coordinator

In addition, YERF hires the project staff as and when required. The foundation also engages volunteers and interns on need basis.

FOCUSED THEMATIC AREA

• Youth Development and Empowerment through skill acquisition
• Integrated health and nutrition management
• Micro Credit and enterprise enhancement
• Local Institutions Building and Policy advocacy
• Farm based technology promotion
• Livelihood enhancement, restoration and management, non –farm technology promotion
• Adolescent reproductive sexual health
• Information technology
• Networking, Partnership and cooperation
• Sustainable agriculture and natural resource management/watershed development
• Ensure conservation of the ecosystem through community environmental sensitization

PROGRAM EXPERIENCE

Our cordial relationship with Alpha Kapital MFB has enabled us facilitate loan intervention for: Apo youths alongside skill acquisition programs, Gbagyi farmers in FCT Abuja as well as cattle farmers because we have a firm belief in the potentials of the Agricultural sector, Sauka Women Intervention, Gbessa Women Intervention, Dogongada Women Intervention.
Youths in Abia State are continually empowered through computer appreciation program.
This is to ensure the youth shun social vices and embrace peace and development.