Through community participation in local decision-making, Simmons has helped implement water projects and a number of other activities. Children are taught about conservation in a day-care center. Hundreds of students have been involved in cleanup campaigns and leadership training. The community is now committed to ensuring that all development projects in the area be environmentally sound, and it has organized against destructive activities such as sand mining.
In addition to being a founder of JEMS, Simmons launched the Caribbean Youth Environment Network (CYEN) and has worked as director of community services for St. Vincent. Through the United Nations Environment Program, he has advised on the development of similar youth programs in other countries. Simmons has also worked as Chief Programme Officer of the Commonwealth Secretariat in London, England, where he works with 54 countries in Asia, the Pacific, the Caribbean, and Africa on the development of programs focused on youth empowerment and human resources.
Simmons is currently working on a program that encourages youth and community members to take action against climate change—the biggest threat facing their island nation. Activities include a national week of climate action.
