Patrice Nisbett, who sits in the Federal Parliament of St. Kitts and Nevis, as the area representative, said “Social Transformation remains high on the list of the local government priorities.” He was at the time speaking at a special ceremony for the opening of the Community Center last Friday, (23^rd December, 2011).

According to Nisbett, the government leaders (within the Nevis Island Administration), understand that community-based, self-reliant and sustainable action programs would reduce isolation, strengthen the bond between government and the people, and bring more meaningful change throughout the communities of Nevis.

He said that the results are celebrated over and over, as new, revitalized and purpose-driven community centers have sprung up across the island.

The community center will be a focal point of the community, and persons will be able to look among themselves to identify many needs including political, economic, health, educational or recreational to create solutions that benefit the collective.

“A community center should be the originator and sustainer of community energy, energizing its members to the point where social dislocation and crime are reduced; where targeted programs meet the needs of the youth and the aged, where people empowerment programs will thrive,” said Nisbett.

He asked the attentive audience, “How often have you wished for a place to send your children to receive help with their homework?”

Mr. Nisbett also noted many other benefits to be derived from the purpose-driven community centers. He noted the laptop program, where each child from 4^th form to 6^th form received their own laptops.

He also informed the audience that for some children who do not have internet in their homes, the community center will have internet access compliments of LIME (telephone and internet service).

Nisbett was returned as the area representative during the 2010 General Elections but failed to secure the seat in the local elections, again, this time on 11^th July, 2011; losing to new comer, Alexis Jeffers of the opposition Concerned Citizens Movement, CCM.