Six Honoured at National Youth Week Awards Ceremony

The Department of Youth Affairs recently hosted its inaugural Humanitarian Spirit Awards at the Harrison Centre. The ceremony marked a significant milestone in the National Youth Week celebrations, recognising six outstanding professionals whose lives of service have strengthened communities and advanced national development.
The Director of Youth Affairs, Dr Jrucilla Samuel, pointed out that the awardees, who hail from diverse fields, shared a common devotion to empowering people of all ages and backgrounds.
Zachary A. R. Phillips, Crown Counsel at the Attorney General’s Chambers, was recognised for his advocacy on behalf of small island states in international tribunals. He has worked with the Alliance of Small Island States, along with the International Court of Justice and the Inter-American Court of Human Rights.
Bishop Charlesworth E. Browne has dedicated his life to servant leadership, transforming communities across Antigua and Barbuda as well as the wider Caribbean. He was also recognised for his pioneering work with the F.L.O.W. (Focused Learning Opportunity Workshop) Programme, which provides suspended and at-risk students with structured opportunities for reflection and growth. Known for his leadership in crisis intervention, prison rehabilitation, and reintegration programmes, his vision for the Macedonia Half-Way House continues to support formerly incarcerated individuals. He is currently Chairman of the Prison Visiting Committee.
Another honouree, Campbell Mitchell Coates, Captain of the Lebanon Moravian Boys’ Brigade, and Executive Member of the Boys’ Brigade Island Council, was celebrated for more than 40 years of service guiding young men in discipline, faith, and community outreach. Through devotions, camps, and outreach projects such as cleanup campaigns and painting homes for seniors, he has instilled values of accountability and compassion in generations of Antigua’s youth. Through the four pillars of the Boys’ Brigade, Spiritual, Physical, Educational, and Social, Coates has nurtured the mind, body, and spirit of Antigua’s youth.
Tanya Ambrose, Founder of Scrub Life Cares, was acknowledged for her commitment to maternal health, reproductive equity, and community wellness. Her nonprofit organisation promotes menstrual equity and sexual health education, while her trauma-informed, culturally responsive approach ensures women, families, and health professionals are empowered with knowledge and resources to thrive. Ambrose brings a holistic, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive approach to her mission.
Terry Blanchette, civic leader and sports advocate, was also honoured for his grassroots work. From organising food packages for the elderly to coaching youth football and cricket teams, his dedication has united his Jennings community through sports, civic unity, and education. His leadership in the Jennings Ebenezer Community Sports Club continues to expand opportunities for young athletes. A former President of Jennings Grenades FC in Antigua’s Premier Division League, Blanchette has invested more than a decade into coaching and managing youth football teams.
Aleah Greene, youth mentor and community advocate, was commended for her leadership in the Kiwanis Club of Antigua Hawksbill Young Professionals and for her role in the Hopeful Hearts Foundation. She has championed youth empowerment, volunteerism, and cultural preservation, inspiring young people to embrace service as leadership and become changemakers in their communities. She considers her service a lifelong commitment to building stronger communities and creating a legacy of opportunity and hope for future generations.
The Director of Youth Affairs, Dr. Jrucilla Samuel, commended the honourees, noting that their contributions “shine a light on those who embody service as leadership, reminding us that humanitarian work is the cornerstone of national progress.”