Carlette Groome-Matthew | R.O.C.C. the Island (Reclaiming Our Communities from Crime)
What city and country is your business, nonprofit or project located in?
Tobago
Describe your business, nonprofit or project, and the products and/or services you offer?
R.O.C.C the Island (Reclaiming Our Communities from Crime) is a grassroots social impact initiative dedicated to transforming communities across Trinidad and Tobago particularly in Tobago, by addressing the root causes of youth crime, social disconnection and limited opportunity. Our work is grounded in prevention, empowerment and rehabilitation, using sports, the arts, mentorship and community engagement as tools for change. At its core, R.O.C.C the Island creates safe, structured spaces where young people especially at-risk youth can develop life skills, build positive identities and access opportunities that redirect them away from violence, gangs and negative influences.
Our Services Include:
1. Mentorship & Youth Development Programmes
2. Sports for Development Initiatives
3. Creative & Cultural Programmes
4. Community Engagement Events
5. Mental Health & Wellness Support
6. Research, Advocacy & Partnerships
Are you Caribbean or African, or of Caribbean or African descent? If you are, please tell us details.
Yes, I am of Caribbean descent, from Tobago (Trinidad and Tobago) and I identify as being of Caribbean and African descent. My heritage and lived experience as an Afro-Caribbean woman deeply influence both my personal values and the work that I do.
Growing up in the Caribbean has shaped my understanding of community, resilience and the social challenges that many of our young people face. My African ancestry is also an important part of my identity, reflected in our culture, traditions and storytelling, and it continues to inspire my approach to empowerment and development.
Do you think your Caribbean or African upbringing/heritage has impacted your work? If so, please explain how.
Yes, absolutely my Caribbean and African heritage has had a profound impact on my work. Growing up in the Caribbean, I experienced firsthand the strength of community, but also the social challenges that many of our young people face particularly issues surrounding crime, limited opportunities and identity. That lived experience allows me to approach my work with authenticity, empathy and a deep understanding of the environments I’m trying to transform.
My African heritage also plays a significant role. It influences how I see storytelling, resilience, spirituality and collective responsibility. In many ways, it reminds me that our communities have always had the tools to heal and rebuild we just need to create spaces where those strengths can be nurtured and expressed. This perspective directly shapes my work with R.O.C.C the Island. I intentionally use culturally relevant approaches through sport, music, storytelling and mentorship to connect with young people in a way that feels real and relatable to them. It also drives my passion for initiatives that reconnect Caribbean youth to a broader sense of identity and possibility, including building bridges with Africa.
How does your work positively impact culture + community?
My work positively impacts culture and community by creating spaces where our youth can reconnect with identity, express themselves and build healthier, more empowered lives. Through R.O.C.C the Island, I use culturally rooted tools like sport, storytelling, music and community gatherings to engage youth in ways that feel authentic to who they are. This helps to preserve and celebrate Caribbean culture while also making it relevant to a new generation. Whether it’s through community concerts, film projects, or storytelling initiatives, we are intentionally documenting and amplifying real stories that reflect our people, our struggles and our resilience.
At the community level, the impact is both preventative and transformative. Our programmes provide safe spaces, mentorship and positive alternatives to crime and violence. We help young people build confidence, develop life skills and see new possibilities for their future. At the same time, we bring families and communities together rebuilding trust, strengthening relationships and fostering a sense of shared responsibility.
There is also a deeper cultural impact. By integrating elements of African and Caribbean heritage into our work, we help young people develop a stronger sense of identity and pride. This is critical in communities where disconnection and lack of belonging often contribute to negative outcomes.Ultimately, my work contributes to shifting narratives from survival to empowerment, from silence to storytelling and from division to unity, while creating sustainable pathways for community growth and cultural preservation.
What message of hope or inspiration would you like to share with other women in our community who are also pursuing their dreams?
To every woman in our community who is pursuing her dreams, especially when the path feels uncertain I want you to know this:
You do not need perfect conditions to begin. You do not need permission to become who you are meant to be.
Your journey may not look like anyone else’s and that is your power. The challenges you’ve faced, the environments you’ve come from, and the responsibilities you carry are not limitations,they are part of the strength that will shape your impact. There will be moments of doubt, moments where support feels limited and moments where the vision feels bigger than you. In those moments, remember why you started. Remember who you are doing it for; whether it’s your children, your community, or the younger version of yourself who needed someone to break barriers.
So please….come out of your head and JUST START!
Links to Your Social Media Pages
https://www.instagram.com/r.o.c.ctheisland?utm_source=qr&igsh=MWF3NmJoY2N5ODg5dA==
How should potential customers and persons interested in networking & partnerships contact you?
rocctheisland@gmail.com or call or whatsapp at 1864948616
Email rocctheisland@gmail.com
