"There is no friend as loyal as a book,"Ernest Hemingway once said, and his words ring true in a path breaking initiative in Trench Town, Kingston, where young people are finding a friend in books to give them a positive direction in life.

Tucked in the community, the brightly painted façade of the Trench Town Reading Centre radiates an abundance of upbeat energy. A haven in this inner-city community, the centre is testimony to the idea that reading can nurture a sense of possibility and build confidence, skills and experience for young people to make the right choices.

"It is heart-warming to see how these children are pushing to break through the cycle of challenges they face every day," said Debra Lopez-Spence, centre director, Scotia Private Client Group.

For four years, Scotia Wealth Management Division - Scotia Private Client Group, Scotia Investments Jamaica Limited, and Scotia Jamaica Life Insurance Company, and Co-Founder and Director Roslyn Ellison have been strong supporters of the Centre.

Now celebrating its 20th year of operation, the centre's programmes use creative arts and experiential learning to spark student performance. Utilising the library's extensive collection, a comprehensive range of learning activities respond to the needs, abilities and interests of participants who range in skill from gifted to the challenged.

The Trench Town Reading Centre serves as a complete, no-fee lending library and education centre for the community, with as many as 100 children attending to join in various education and arts programmes, and borrow books.

Plus, there are special programmes and events such an intensive summer programme and Community Spelling Bee. Programmes at the centre use hands-on learning by doing with individual tasks, shared activities and projects. There is also a specific and themed curriculum with a primary focus on language arts, literacy, comprehension, storytelling and writing, drama, poetry, developing critical-thinking skills and building self-esteem.

"From readings and performances to art projects, we are inspired to see how imaginative the staff is in engaging the children," said Lopez. "Over the years, Scotia Wealth Management Division has supported their efforts through the donation of funds, art supplies and books, and also by improving the physical space at the Centre."

Over the past four years, Scotia Wealth has hosted the centre's annual Spelling Bee competition, a hugely popular community family event featuring spellers aged 5-15 years. Last year's contest had 81 spellers in competition.