The United Way of Jamaica launched its 2018 Fundraising Campaign on Wednesday, October 10, 2018 at the Courtleigh Hotel. This year’s Campaign is aimed at raising $120M to support the United Way’s priority areas including education, health and community development. Chair of the Board of Governors of the United Way of Jamaica, Dr. Marcia Forbes in addressing the audience shared the impact that donations made to the United Way have been making. She
stated, “When we look at what the United Way of Jamaica has done since 2018 alone, we see that the United Way has positively impacted over 100 schools, about 4,000 youth, numerous teachers and countless families.”
Bishop Dr. Gary Welsh, Chair of the Campaign Committee lauded the support of Highest Individual Donor, Dr. Robert Chen who has been supporting the work of the United Way of Jamaica for over 20 years. His daughter Katherine Abrikian who represented him at the function, reaffirmed her father’s support of the work of the United Way. “United Way of Jamaica has been my father’s partner of choice for his philanthropic efforts, because he can clearly see how responsive they are in identifying and addressing needs. On my father’s behalf I wish to pledge at least $1,000,000 to the 2018 fundraising Campaign.“
Corporate donors including Jamaica National Bank, Carreras, Spectrum Management Authority, Loans Unlimited, Sagicor Life Holborn Branch, Phase 3 Productions and Jamaica Broilers, along with 16 Individual donors,made their financial commitments and pledged their continued support to the United Way of Jamaica. Four benefiting institutions also received grant funding aimed at enhancing and strengthening their Youth and Community Development programmes. These included:
Sunbeam Children’s Home , located in St. Catherine was provided with a grant of $212,000 to their “Vocational and Life Skills Intervention” programme, which will benefit 40 boys. The intervention programme will engage the wards in vocational and life skills training and numeracy and literacy skills.
Spring Village Development Foundation , located in St. Catherine received a grant of $380,000 for their Castor Bean Production project. The grant will be used to purchase beans and equipment. The project will see 25 individuals directly benefiting. The objectives of this project are to cultivate 5 acres of community owned land for castor bean production, sell beans to Castor bean processors and to invest profit to expand production and sustain other community
development activities.
St. John’s Ambulance, located in Kingston, received $330,000 for their “Youth Life Savers Programme.” The aim of this programme is to develop a skilled corps of children, trained in First Aid & CPR, fire safety, road safety, personal safety and deportment, who are able to manage themselves in crisis, emergency and non-emergency situations. This project will train approximately 300 at risk / unattached youth.
Joy Town Community Development Foundation , located in Kingston, received $500,000 for their “Taking Charge of Your Future initiative.” The aim of this programme is to provide remedial education and behaviour modification to turn around the lives of 80 youth between the ages of 7-15 years. The programme will also provide workshops for their parents to provide guidance to their children and enable their success. Executive Director of the Joy Town Community Development Foundation, Major Richard Cooke expressed appreciation for the support of the United Way and spoke of the positive impact this partnership has had on inner city youth. He said “ The United Way of Jamaica is providing the
means for us to train at least 80 youth who will mentor other youth in the community we serve. It is my hope that more and more donors will come forward and help the United Way of Jamaica to achieve its target.”
For further information contact:
Ms. Althea Bennett
Campaign & Communications Manager
United Way of Jamaica
Telephone: 922-9424-7
Email:[email protected]
