About Us – Bates Vocational Center

About Us

The Bates Vocational Center was born from heartbreak. Edward Adolphus Bates and Mercy Urey-Bates lost their son, Jewel, at just 25 years old—he laid down for a nap and never woke up. In the quiet aftermath of that unimaginable moment, they searched for a way to keep his spirit alive. What emerged was a vision: to turn their grief into something that could uplift others.

Jewel had planned to visit Careysburg, Liberia—the birthplace of his parents—just months before his passing. Now, in that same town, the Bates family is providing low-cost or free vocational education that reflects the love, dreams, and compassion Jewel carried. The Bates Vocational Center offers practical training to young adults, many of whom have grown up in communities still healing from the scars of civil war.

This center is more than a program. It’s a promise. A promise that pain can be transformed into purpose, and that every young person deserves the chance to build a life of dignity and hope. Through Jewel’s memory, the Bates family is lighting a path forward—for Liberia’s youth, and for anyone who believes that love can leave a lasting legacy.

Our Vision

Our vision is to transform tragedy into purpose by providing low-cost or free vocational training to young adults in Liberia. We believe that by equipping the next generation with valuable skills, we can break the cycle of poverty and despair, offering a pathway to success and a brighter future. Our goal is to spread hope and create opportunities for today’s youth, empowering them to rebuild their communities and lead fulfilling lives.

Our Story

The Establishment of the Bates Vocational Center in Careysburg, Liberia

The Bates Vocational Center was founded as a response to a profound personal loss experienced by Mr. Edward Adolphus Bates and his wife, Mrs. Mercy Urey-Bates. Their beloved son, Jewel Bates, passed away unexpectedly at the age of 25. In the midst of their grief, the Bates family resolved to transform their sorrow into a legacy of purpose and service. Through the work of this foundation, they aspire to turn tragedy into triumph and pain into purpose.

In honor of Jewel’s memory, the Bates family established the Bates Vocational Center in Careysburg, Liberia—their birthplace and a destination Jewel had intended to visit shortly before his untimely passing. The center is dedicated to providing low-cost or free, high-quality vocational education to young adults in the region.

Liberia remains in recovery from decades of civil unrest, which left deep scars across its communities. Many of the nation’s youth have grown up amid instability, trauma, and limited access to educational and economic opportunities. The absence of affordable vocational training perpetuates cycles of poverty and hopelessness.

The Bates Vocational Center seeks to address these challenges by equipping young adults with practical skills that foster self-sufficiency and economic empowerment. By offering constructive alternatives to adversity, the center serves as a beacon of hope and a catalyst for personal and community transformation.

We extend an invitation to partners, supporters, and members of the global community to join us in this mission. Together, we can cultivate opportunity, restore dignity, and inspire a brighter future for the next generation of Liberians.

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