Jamaica - Helping Jamaica

One People, One Documentary..Celebrating Jamaica 50 - Submit Your Story Today!!!

Sun, 23 Oct 2011 08:00:00 UT

We have partnered with 1962 Productions Limited on their OnePeople project. OnePeople is a collaborative documentary that invites people worldwide to contribute footage to celebrate Jamaica’s global reach 50 years after independence. On August 6th, 2011 we pose the question “What does Jamaica mean to you?” with the aim that a global community of creative minded people will respond by uploading a visual representation of their answer to our website (www.onepeopledocumentary.com). We know that our tiny island nation has touched many outside of our country, even beyond our diaspora, and with this project we will embrace anyone who has ever been moved by a reggae song, enjoyed a plate of ackee and saltfish, been stirred by the words of Marcus Garvey, fell in love under a Negril sunset or simply has a point of view.

A portion of the documentary’s net profits will be used to create Jamaica’s first film fund to enable Jamaican filmmakers to tell their own stories in their own voices.

Submissions will close November 6th, 2011

OnePeople will premiere August 6th, 2012 in Miami, Toronto, New York, London and Kingston.

website: http://www.onepeopledocumentary.com
facebook: http://www.facebook.com/onepeopledoc
twitter: @onepeopledoc

PROFILE: OAaSIS International Foundation empowers through the Arts

Mon, 03 Oct 2011 13:30:01 UT

At the OAaSIS creative workshop series held in the Trench Town Culture Yard and by the Trench Town Reading Centre

The OAaSIS International Foundation is where lots of persons are finding blissful pleasure in helping Jamaica youth. It's all about creativity in every aspect of on one's life, incorporating members of the creative industry - literary, visual, performing and culinary arts. Practitioners in relating and other fields such as banking, psychology, religion and spirituality, entrepreneurs.

Major projects of 2010 are a fundraising arts and culture exhibition slated for December at the Swept Away Hotel, Negril, and the creation of a Library/Arts Department for Sargeantville that will serve approximately 10,000 residents of the immediate environs. For this New York-based Patrick Beckford (telephone number 732-801-6747) is making collections to be sent via Dennis Shipping. Read more at http://www.antheamcgibbon.com/oaasis-international-seeks-books-for-sargeantville-library.htm.

Youth are been given the chance to discover and hone their skills, apply creativity as a critical tool to develop themselves and assist in advancing Jamaica in the human race.

Members/volunteers all O=perate A=dvance and S=erve in S=kills!

THE FORMATION

The Foundation was formally founded in 2008, and fully registered to operate as a not-for-profit entity in 2010.

Anthea McGibbon is the Founder of OAaSIS International Foundation, after years of starting art clubs, and teaching mathematics, art, Bible, english and swimming in schools, churches, and communities. Her family members who are educators, and highly skilled in the Arts have been among her strongest influences. She also was inspired by the lack of connectivity between Jamaicans, Arts, Law, Spirituality and Culture on a whole she realised existed during her tenure as a writer/feature co-ordinator of the arts and religion for the Caribbean's leading newspaper, The Gleaner, "It's better now, but there still is hardly any understanding of the arts as a lucrative field, the careers existing for example, much more the positive results when creativity is applied to other areas. It's pitiful considering the challenges with numeracy and literacy faced by Jamaica's youth, when arts and creativity can be such a vital tool in their embrace". Not to mention how much tourism can be improved with a fuller awareness of the level of creativity and skills among Jamaicans everywhere, she opines.

Anthea is trained/experienced in in Paralegal, Teaching, Journalism and several areas of the combined Arts. In becoming an member of the creative industry she herself experienced numerous negative experiences, she'd rather not see the young, gifted and blessed Jamaicans encounter, but rather that their full potential and worth will be realised from early so that numerous benefits individually and collectively will be reaped from early.

Her skills include Spanish, Writing, Painting, Photography. See more at http://www.antheamcgibbon.com. Her own work are sold online or shown at Gallery Art, Florida.

THE TEAM

A consultant who owns a media website on arts, creativity, culture, law and spirituality, Anthea carefully chooses her core team, to operate at the helm of the over 1,500 member-base of loyal volunteers. As priority they must share the vision to see talented Jamaicans and talents of Jamaica at the apex of international fame, as well as being kind with wisdom.

The team includes experts of varied fields such as Tina Spiro (educator), Eran Spiro (architect), Dwane Forbes (paralegal), Wyvolyn Gager (former editor of the Gleaner Company), Cordel Green (attorney, Broadcasting Commission of Jamaica), Hope Wheeler (former director of studies at the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts), Colonel Oscar Derby(Civil Aviation) operating as consultants.

Patrons to the Foundation are master painter Barrington Watson, Terrence "Farenheit" Harold, master painter Bernard Hoyes (residing in California). At this tier Canadians and Americans have also partnered with the OAaSIS sharing their expertise. Such persons include Angela Stribling (former BET on Jazz host, Owners of the Jazz Report magazine in Canada, Bill and Kris King, owner of Gallery Art, Ken Hendel). UK-based Michael Conoley (Yush owner), Ken Millwood (Canada-based), US-based Patrick Maitland of Street hype newspaper, and Patrick Beckford are four critical Jamaicans of the Diaspora who have been helpful as well as American Shane Strong (IT technician) based in California.

The Foundation's administration is currently being handled by paralegal secratary Dwane Forbes, founder Anthea McGibbon and a rotation of volunteers including Stoneman of Trench Town and Robin Chin as videographers. Patrick James performs as graphic designer, writer, photographer. Spokespersons are Leighton Levy, Derrick Wilks. Kandi-Lee Crooks-Smith, principal of Allman Town Primary passionate about engendering the Arts in education also speaks about the success of OAaSIS operations at her school, and acts as consultant also.

The base of critical volunteers includes Boom Steppa, Sophia Brown.

COMPANIES ABOARD

The increasing list of supporting companies include media (such as Sunday Herald, The Gleaner Company, US-based Jamaicans.com, NY-based Street Hype, Jahkno), Wysinco (products), Berger Paints, Burger King Jamaica, Jamaica Buscuit Company, Henkel, The Gleaner(products). Jamaica Guild of Artists and Solid Agency

In 2010, the Foundation received endorsement from the Ministry of Education and Cordel Green. Allan Bucknol of Airports Authority assists with the accounting of OAaSIS.

At http://www.oaasisinternational.org/team, more information can be gleaned about the team.

PROJECTS

Major projects of 2010 are a fundraising arts and culture exhibition slated for December at the Swept Away Hotel, Negril, and the creation of a Library/Arts Department for Sargeantville that will serve approximately 10,000 residents of the immediate environs. For this New York-based Patrick Beckford (telephone number 732-801-6747) is making collections to be sent via Dennis Shipping. Read more at http://www.antheamcgibbon.com/oaasis-international-seeks-books-for-sargeantville-library.htm.

Currently the Foundation has embarked on numerous projects. The 'creative workshop series' is the sensitisation phase of the Foundation. Volunteers from the creative industry and relating fields visit schools, communities and churches to youth everywhere to host workshops, projects, motivational sessions through the arts and more.

The Pickney International Creative Youth Club is the permanent element of the creative workshop series owing to the increase in demand for the series. The creative workshop series are designed to sensitise youth on locations across Jamaica on the arts, and the club “keeps them exposed, empowered, trained, informed, guided” says founder Anthea McGibbon. See more at http://www.oaasisinternational.org/join-pickney-international-creative-youth-club-by-oaasis.htm.

The Foundation also has donation cans at participating locations for coins, or paper money.

Other projects can be accessed at http://www.oaasisinternational.org/projects.

HOW TO JOIN

Subscribe to the website http://www.oaasisinternational.org

Email the team at admin@oaasisinternational.org

Join us on Facebook

SPECIAL NOTES

Tax Registration number in Jamaica - # 001-952-064

Bank Account, National Commercial Bank, Duke Street Branch - # 064666886

Headquartered at 75 Old Hope Road, Kingston 6, the OAaSIS International Foundation members/volunteers are mostly found tending to a project elsewhere, so must be met by appointment.

Aside from the Foundation, all members/volunteers are commited to professional occupations.

CONTACT PERSONS

US number - 305-648-6963

Jamaica – Anthea McGibbon, 876-797-7297
Jamaica – Kristen Brown, 876-395-9392
Jamaica – Allan Bucknol, 876-850-7220
New York, USA – Patrick Beckford, Jamaica Diaspora, 732-801-6747
Maryland, USA – Aneita Cunningham – 301-537-8766
Jamaica – Leighton Levy – 876-561-4445
Derrick Wilks – 876-877-2715

Together, with our skills, we build a nation of achievers, making the world an even better place to live in harmony - OAaSIS International team

Tags: creative club, organization, pickney international, profile

Testimonial PDF: Three Fun-filled days of OAaSIS (221 KB)

Jamaicans.com and JAMPACT School Supply Drive 2011

Mon, 25 Jul 2011 12:30:02 UT

We have partnered with the JAMPACT to make the school year brighter for Jamaican children and families in need. Support the Jamaicans.com and JAMPACT School Supply Drive 2011. We have partnered again with Amazon.com to create the school supply list. The list will be available online until August 21st, 2011 so as to ensure they get to Jamaica before the new school year. The school supplies will be distributed later in the year.

Click Here to Purchase School Supply Items Now and help a needy child in Jamaica!

Drop-Off Locations:

Brooklyn
D’s Choice Restaurant, 262B E 96th Street (@Clarkson Ave.), Brooklyn, NY 11212

Bronx
Getty Station, 3435 Baychester Ave., Bronx, NY 10469
Royal Tropical Bakery, 3400 Baychester Avenue, Bronx, NY 10469
Katashe’s Vegetarian Foods, 1312 Gunhill Road, Bronx, NY 10469

Queens
Irie Jam Media Group, 233-16A Merrick Blvd., Laurelton, NY 11422
Laten’s Place Restaurant & Café, 119-09 Merrick Blvd., Jamaica, NY 11434

Cash donations can be made online at www.jampact.org or mailed to Jamaica Impact, Inc., P. O. Box 3794, Grand Central Station, New York, NY 10163.

JAMPACT
Jamaica Impact Inc. ("JAMPACT") is a certified 501(c)3 non-profit organization consisting of a diverse group of young Jamaican professionals, students and friends of Jamaica. Our philosophy is to use our collective energies, intelligence and resources, as an impetus for progress in Jamaica.

Jamaicans.com 2011 Heart Foundation Drive in Memory of Marcia “Ackeegirl” Davidson

Mon, 18 Jul 2011 12:30:01 UT

This year marks 8 years (7/13/03) since Marcia “Ackeegirl” Davidson passed away after a long battle with heart disease. She was instrumental to the Jamaicans.com website and served as the first moderator, first administrator, and in many other areas. She had the heart of an angel. She loved this website, people who visited this site and loved the Jamaican community. Word can not express the loss we all felt when she passed away.

In honor of her memory we have vowed to do an annual donation to the Jamaica Heart Foundation in her name. Our Goal this year is to collect $300 US by September 30, 2011. We only have 2 months to achieve this goal so please donate today as we hope to make a presentation to the Heart Foundation in October. See our last Jamaica Heart Foundation Donation Presentation.

There are 2 easy ways to donate:

1. Online using Paypal.com. Click the "Make A Donation" button below.

2. Send a Money Order made out to the Jamaica Heart Foundation. Put the name "Marcia Davidson – Jamaicans.com" in the memo section. Mail the Money Order to the address to this address: Attn: Jamaicans.com 18459 Pines Blvd # 173, Pembroke Pines, Florida 33029

Jamaicans.com 2011 Book Drive

Mon, 28 Feb 2011 11:30:01 UT

Support The 10th Jamaicans.com Annual Jamaica Book Drive.
The next three months, (March- May 2011) Jamaicans.com is holding a book drive to benefit the Allen-Shaw Reading Room in Jamaica with a goal of collecting 100 children’s books by May 31st, 2011. We are asking for your help. We hope to distribute the books in Jamaica by August 30th, 2011

Click here to Donate a book now !!!

Book Drive Partner

Allen-Shaw Reading Room Mission Statement: To provide children in rural Jamaica with knowledge through books and cutting edge computer technology. To give them a window of opportunity to life beyond their limited boundaries and give them desire and hope to strive for excellence.

Annual Book Drive Thank You Letter From the Allen-Shaw Foundation, Inc

With the popular icons of the youths today trying to step out of the color of their skins, we have vamped up our campaign to highlight our Caribbean and Black authors along with making sure that the children see the shades of their faces in the books they read. So along with all the other books and authors on our shelves, we want to make sure that they see that we are part of the diaspora of authors and characters on the pages of great literature.

The annual Jamaicans.com Book Drive is a major player in allowing the children of the community to have on hand, books that reflect the Caribbean culture, introduce readers to our authors, and provide them with the inspiration that their creativity will bring about great things. We know we are creating writers, essayist and poets. We will create access to an excessive volume of books that will keep encouraging our young people to read.

On behalf of our community and children of the Allen-Shaw Reading Room, I extend my gratitude for your continued support.

Paula Shaw
Founder/Chairperson
Allen-Shaw Foundation, Inc.

Click here to Donate a book now !!!

You can send New books directly to:
Paula Shaw
Colgate-Palmolive Company
300 Park Avenue
14th Floor
New York, NY 10022

Non Profit Profile: HELP Jamaica! - Education For A Change!

Mon, 16 Aug 2010 08:45:02 UT

HELP Jamaica! stands for Help Establish Library Projects in Jamaica! and is a registered non-profit organization based in Germany and Jamaica. HELP Jamaica! aspires to build libraries and education centers in needy communities in Jamaica.

Why we do what we do
Jamaica’s high crime rate has been recognized for a long time. An annual murder rate of more than 1,600 murders in a population of 2,826,000 (official statistic 2009) puts Jamaica in the top ranks of the most violent countries in the world. Jamaica’s ghettos are exposed to shocking levels of violent crime, gang wars, political conflicts, drug and gun trafficking and police brutality. Poverty, unemployment and frustration culminate into a vicious circle contributing to the rising crime rate, often leaving the children without opportunities and positive expectations. Growing up in the inner city ghetto communities in Kingston, children and youths are confronted with these realities from their earliest childhood days. Many of them lack adequate access to education, books, computers and some lack attention and care.

What we do
HELP Jamaica! aims to establish libraries and education centers in poor Jamaican communities and thus tries to create opportunities and hope for the children growing up in the ghetto. Besides that, we support the Trenchtown Reading Centre (TRC) financially, which functions as our role model.

We currently renovate a building in the community of Cassava Piece, Kingston 8 and plan to open the education center in the course of this year. With the necessary support of the community we have started to reconstruct and furnish the building and are collecting the first books.

The center will be operated by skilled and trained personal, be equipped with a modern and comprehensible collection of books for children and adults and with a computer lab to teach basic computer skills and creative techniques. Computer skills, IT-knowledge, web design and internet services can help prepare the children for to find new opportunities in their job search. Especially the immaterial and international character of the internet might provide ways to establish small businesses and to make international contacts. Additionally to literacy and reading programs there will be computer courses, photo- and video-workshops, drama classes, skill-training, handcraft, music-classes etc. These courses will add to an attractive program especially dedicated to stir the interest of children, teenagers and young adults, who are in crucial stage to make significant decisions about their future way of life.

We aim to encourage creativity, talent, hope, ambition and excellence. Instilling pleasure and satisfaction from being able to read, to discuss, to perform, to act, to play drama, to learn to play instruments and gather knowledge in a welcoming and secure surrounding, can make a difference and will raise self-esteem and self-assurance of the youths.

We believe in inspiration and qualification as a means to break the circle of frustration, violence and crime!

Education For A Change!

For more information please visit: www.helpjamaica.org
Or write an email with your questions and thoughts to: info@helpjamaica.org

Open Arms for Jamaica ’s Future - NGO Profile

Mon, 26 Jul 2010 08:45:02 UT

Our Mission
Open Arms for Jamaica ’s Future main purpose, is to provide financial and material assistance to a child in need in Jamaica . This assistance will include providing text books for school, uniforms and other essential school supplies as needed, and also to serve as a mentor to the child.

Our Vision
To follow through on the quest that was started many years ago, to ultimately eliminate illiteracy in Jamaica by

Increasing attendance across all schools
Fight to keep our young boys in school
Accomplish a partnership between all societies and the less fortunate
Facilitating mentoring programs for all

Overview
Open Arms for Jamaica ’s Future is a non profit organization dedicated to the children of Jamaica . Open Arms for Jamaica ’s Future came about from the willingness of a group of women, who had attachments to Jamaica and knew first hand the present need to help children of school age. Our goal is to raise enough funds to help one child from each Parish per school year. Children stay home from school for lack of transport, inability to pay tuition, lunch money, and other school supplies. The things most of us take for granted are maximum necessities for many.

The Board

Shau-Shanna Miller ~ President, CT
Paulette Langley ~ Vice President, NC
Tamieka McGibbon ~ Treasurer, FL
Kenesha Bentley ~ Secretary, NC
Kimberly Hastings ~ Public Relations, TX

Fundraisers

One raffle that ended October 1, 2009, with an $800 profit

Aid to one child from Martin Primary, St. Mary , Jamaica with school for the entire year

Contact/ Donations

www.OAFJF.org

OAFJF@hotmail.com

PO Box 4713
Greenwich , CT
06831

Jamaicans.com 2010 Heart Foundation Drive in Memory of Marcia “Ackeegirl” Davidson

Sun, 25 Jul 2010 08:40:00 UT

This year marks 7 years (7/13/03) since Marcia “Ackeegirl” Davidson passed away after a long battle with heart disease. She was instrumental to the Jamaicans.com website and served as the first moderator, first administrator, and in many other areas. She had the heart of an angel. She loved this website, people who visited this site and loved the Jamaican community. Word can not express the loss we all felt when she passed away.

In honor of her memory we have vowed to do an annual donation to the Jamaica Heart Foundation in her name. Our Goal this year is to collect $500 US by August 31th, 2010 We only have 2 months to achieve this goal so please donate today as we hope to make a presentation to the Heart Foundation in October. See our 2009 Jamaica Heart Foundation Donation Presentation.

There are 2 easy ways to donate:

1. Online using Paypal.com. Click the "Make A Donation" button below.

Jamaicans.com 2010 Book Drive

Mon, 14 Jun 2010 00:20:00 UT

Leonie Bernard, Teacher and Program Coordinator for the Allen-Shaw Reading Room reading from book donated by Jamaicans.com Annual Book Drive.

Support The 9th Jamaicans.com Annual Jamaica Book Drive.
The next three months, (April - June 2010) Jamaicans.com is holding a book drive to benefit the Allen-Shaw Reading Room in Jamaica with a goal of collecting 90 children’s books by June 30th, 2010. We are asking for your help. We hope to distribute the books in Jamaica by August 30th, 2010

Click here to Donate a book now !!!

Book Drive Partner

Nateisha Copeland, Library Volunteer, Allen-Shaw Reading Room, with donated book from Jamaicans.com 2008 Book Drive

2008 Book Drive Thank You Letter From the Allen-Shaw Foundation, Inc

Thank You - Jamaicans.com 2008 Book Drive

It is always with extreme excitement that we fill up the shelves with the gift of books from the supporters of the Jamaicans.com Annual Book Drive. 2008 is the year that we replenished the sections for African-American/Black History and Caribbean/Jamaican Authors. I don’t have to tell you how absolutely fabulous the books were. Great titles, Great Authors, Great Stories!

There is always excitement for the Children. They gather around to see what new books are going in their section. We have to simply let them unpack (OK, tear the boxes apart) to pick out what they want. And before the books are logged into our system and tagged, they are being checked out. What can we do about that? Nothing! We are excited about children wanting to read!

My Thanks, Praises and Blessings goes out to you all.

Paula Shaw
Founder/Chairperson
Allen-Shaw Foundation, Inc.

Click here to Donate a book now !!!

Jamaicans.com 2009 Book Drive

Fri, 01 May 2009 02:00:00 UT

Leonie Bernard, Teacher and Program Coordinator for the Allen-Shaw Reading Room reading from book donated by Jamaicans.com Annual Book Drive.

Support The 8th Jamaicans.com Annual Jamaica Book Drive.
The next three months, (April - June 2009) Jamaicans.com is holding a book drive to benefit the Allen-Shaw Reading Room in Jamaica with a goal of collecting 80 children’s books by June 30th, 2009. We are asking for your help. We hope to distribute the books in Jamaica by August 30th, 2009.

Click here to Donate a book now !!!

Book Drive Partner

Nateisha Copeland, Library Volunteer, Allen-Shaw Reading Room, with donated book from Jamaicans.com 2008 Book Drive

2008 Book Drive Thank You Letter From the Allen-Shaw Foundation, Inc

Thank You - Jamaicans.com 2008 Book Drive

My Thanks, Praises and Blessings goes out to you all.

Paula Shaw
Founder/Chairperson
Allen-Shaw Foundation, Inc.

Click here to Donate a book now !!!

Integrity Children's Fund (ICF),

Sat, 28 Feb 2009 15:30:00 UT

ICF is a Christ-centered organization, dedicated to changing lives of disadvantaged children of Jamaica by providing them an environment in which they may develop into healthy, educated, moral and self-reliant adults.

Integrity Children's Fund (ICF), recognized by the IRS as a Tax Exempt 501 ( c) 3 Charitable Organization, was born out of a sincere desire to better meet the educational needs of children in Jamaica, disadvantaged by economic hardship and made hopeless and/or hapless by limited opportunities for self-development.

Background
A lack of basic education contributes to hopelessness in a large number of children within Jamaica. This sense of hopelessness is one of the root causes for children turning to a life of crime and living lives well below their potential.

Providing a Christian based education is one of the most important keys in breaking the cycle of hopelessness, while assisting children to become responsible adults in the Jamaican society.

Evidence of the remarkable changes in the lives of children brought about by a Christian Education is clearly visible in the work of Operation Restoration , a Christian School started by Lorna Stanley. This school has successfully delivered remedial educational programs to children, who for various reasons cannot access public schools in the community they live in.

One of the major hurdles facing schools like Operation Restoration is the lack of funding to sustain their operations. Without adequate funds, qualified teachers cannot be attracted and retained, and basic school materials cannot be acquired. Even when there are schools present in a community , many families are simply unable to afford school supplies, lunch fees or even incidental school fees.

Objectives of Integrity Children's Fund

* To establish a consistent donor community.
* To provide support for 10,000 children throughout all the parishes of Jamaica, by 2010.

Activities of Integrity Children's Fund

The activities of ICF, to the benefit of needy children in the nation state of Jamaica, in order of ranked importance by time and resources, are as follows:

a. Student Support
All activity in this realm will be geared toward providing for the physical and material needs of the students of selected schools. This will include furnishing students with meals, uniforms, books and other school supplies, technological aids (inclusive of, but not confined to IT), access to seminars, field trips and travel for the purposes of educational exposure. Student support will make up the bulk of ICF's focus.

b. Teacher Development
Understanding the major role that teachers play in the welfare and education of our children, and also aware of the significant lack of teaching professionals in many under-funded, inner-city and rurally located schools, ICF will provide direct funding for two aspects of Teacher development. These are:

Assistance in the payment of teachers' salaries so as to ensure that the best possible instructors are recruited and retained in the previously selected schools.
Assistance in the training of such members of staff to more adequately prepare them for participation in the process of educating children. Such assistance may take the form of, but not be limited to, workshops, seminars, courses of study and practicums.

c. Infrastructure Maintenance and Acquisition
This set of activities will be initiated as the third priority once ICF is satisfied that the other two aforementioned areas are being adequately serviced, notwithstanding the importance of the physical plant to the process of learning. Such activities will include repairs and maintenance to school facilities, furnishings and equipment, as well as the assistance in the procurement of land and edifices to advance the cause of education in previously disadvantaged youth.

Contact Information

Mailing Address
Integrity Children's Fund
PO Box 4402
Alpharetta, GA 30023
(678) 591-7764

Email Address : contact@integritychildrensfund.com
Website: http://integritychildrensfund.com/

Jamaica Heart Foundation Donation Presentation November 2008 - Jamaicans.com member donations

Wed, 31 Dec 2008 12:55:00 UT

During July thru September 2008 we had our annual drive to raise money for a donation to the Jamaica Heart Foundation in the name of Marcia “Ackeegirl” Davidson, Jamaicans.com forum administrator and writer, who passed away in 2003 after a long battle with heart disease. We raised US $600 (US). A check was presented to the Heart Foundation of Jamaica by Jamaicans.com moderator Richard Facey on November 5th, 2008. A special thank you to the many of you who helped us with the Jamaica Heart Foundation project. We received a special certificate of appreciation from the the Jamaica Heart Foundation. We have vowed to do an annual donation so we will do it again in 2009.

Jamaicans.com Annual Christmas Toy Drive 2008

Sat, 01 Nov 2008 13:40:00 UT

It that time Again. It is the Annual Jamaicans.com Christmas Toy Drive.

Thanks to your generosity, our 2007 toy drive was a big success. This year, we are counting on your continued generosity to bring the joy and wonder of Christmas to some truly deserving children.

We have partnered with the Food for the Poor to give you more options to bring the joy and wonder of Christmas to some deserving children living in Jamaica. This year we hope to bring joy to at least 50 children from the NGO, Mustard Seed.

This year we have partnered again with Amazon.com to create the Toy Drive Wish List. The Toy Wish List will be available online until November 30th, 2008 so as to ensure we beat the Christmas rush of shipping to Jamaica. The toys will be distributed in December 2008.

Click Here to Purchase Toy Drive Items Now and Bring A Smile To The Face Of A Needy Child In Jamaica This Christmas!

Or mail your toys directly to:
Food For the Poor
6401 Lyons Road - Coconut Creek, Fl 33073

Toy Drive Partner
Food For The Poor (FFP) ministers to spiritually renew impoverished people throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. Established in 1982 as a 501(c)(3)corporation, our goals are to improve the health, economic, social and spiritual conditions of the men, women and children we serve.

Non Profit Links & Resources

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 23:56:23 UT

Non Profit Organization Profiles

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 23:56:23 UT

Jamaica Projects

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 23:56:23 UT

Helping Jamaica

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 23:56:22 UT

Jamaicans.com 2008 Book Drive

Sun, 01 Jun 2008 17:00:00 UT

Support The 8th Jamaicans.com Annual Jamaica Book Drive.
The next three months, (April - June 2008) Jamaicans.com is holding a book drive to benefit the Allen-Shaw Reading Room in Jamaica with a goal of collecting 80 children’s books by June 30th, 2008. We are asking for your help. We hope to distribute the books in Jamaica by July 31st, 2008.

Click here to Donate a book now !!!

Book Drive Partner

2007 Book Drive Thank You Letter From the Allen-Shaw Foundation, Inc

Thank You - Jamaicans.com 2007 Book Drive

My sister the transplanted Jamaican wondered aloud if the children were actually going to sit on the marl mound to read the books, instead of taking them home. We had to explain to her, how eager the children were for the books that are donated each year from the Jamaicans.com Annual Book Drive. Her wonderment allowed her to take the picture above, which is such a money shot and speaks to the excitement we get when we see children engrossed in reading. Besides, the more books they get to read on the library grounds, the more books they get to take home. It becomes a game of reading, sharing and exchanging.

Although I have this organization that is all about words and writing, I find it hard to articulate how important it is, this light that you are giving to the children of the community. However, there is a picture that I captured from the 2006 Book Drive when we were opening the boxes which to me says it all. I watched as the daughter of the Library Volunteer “helped” to unpack one of the boxes, she became excited as she pulled out Please, Baby, Please by Spike Lee and Tonya Lewis Lee, and turned to her mother and said “look yah mammy, she look like me”. Dear Supporters, I want to let you know that you have come through on so many levels. The books that you have donated whether it was Caribbean themed fiction, history, nonfiction, books by Black and Caribbean authors and general children books are working to reinforce to the community that they are significant. Sometimes that is all that is needed to push a human forward. Thank you on behalf of the community of Resource District, Jamaica

Regards,
Paula Shaw, Founder/Chairperson, Allen-Shaw Foundation, Inc

Click here to Donate a book now !!!

2007 Annual Book Drive Update

Mon, 24 Sep 2007 17:00:00 UT

In March- May 2007Jamaicans.com partnering with The Allen-Shaw Foundation for our annual book drive. We asked you the users to support our book drive to benefit the Allen-Shaw Reading Room. We had a goal of collecting 80 children’s books by May 31st, 2007. We beat the goal by almost 15 and this books were distributed this past summer. Below are pictures. Thank you and we will do it again next year.

Jamaica General Elections Results Discussion

Fri, 31 Aug 2007 17:00:00 UT

Jamaica General Elections Results Discussion

Hurricane Dean News & Relief Efforts

Sat, 18 Aug 2007 17:00:00 UT

Hurricane Dean News & Relief Efforts

NGO Profile: Family Unification Resettlement Initiative (FURI)

Wed, 25 Apr 2007 17:00:00 UT

Family Unification Resettlement Initiative (FURI) is an innovative 501-C– 3, not-for-profit corporation, that was founded by Carmeta Albarus-Lindo, LCSW; forensic social worker with almost twenty (20) years experience working within the criminal justice system in the United States.. Based on her work on behalf of immigrant clients, Ms. Albarus-Lindo saw the need for the kind of services that can help such clients adjust positively to deportation. Given her Jamaican roots, Ms. Albarus-Lindo was concerned primarily about the impact of deportation
on Jamaican nationals as well as the impact that these displaced returnees can have on Jamaica’s development. For these reasons she was inspired to start FURI , so as to help returnees plan for a better tomorrow by focusing on the need to improve their own lives as well as the need to contribute to the development of their home countries.
FURI’s objective is to offer alternatives that can foster faith, hope, and confidence that life can be worthwhile. FURI with the help of government agencies and concerned individuals, aims to provide reintegration assistance in the following ways:

Living accommodations and meals.
Employment counseling and training.
Drug and alcohol abuse counseling.
Self-esteem and peer development assistance.
Vocational training.
Assistance in locating and reestablishing family connections.
Liaison between the deportees and family connections in the United States.

FURI-Jamaica, a division of FURI was recently established and has opened an office in Kingston. (Kingston Resettlement Center or KRC) This will allow us to expand on the services that were offered through the Salvation Army by providing accommodation for up to thirty (30) people. While our focus has been on the accommodation of nonviolent males each case will be looked at individually and as more funds are allocated we hope to provide accommodations for women as well. Residents sponsored by FURI will receive accommodations, meals, vocational training, as well as individual and group counseling for nine (9) to twelve (12) months. Prior to leaving the program each returnee will be provided with skills to establish them as productive citizens. These skills include plumbing, woodwork, craft, masonry, welding, auto mechanic, computer technology. FURI will soon be extending its vocational training through a partnership with Jamaica’s Heart Trust. The new partnership will let FURI provide new vocational training options to returnees including women. These new programs range from “barefoot” architecture and pattern making to secretary, as well as furniture manufacturer. FURI plans to work closely with the Jamaica Agricultural Society to establish a working farming village composed of five to ten acres. The farm will provide returnees with a residential base. The agricultural community will also have a processing unit and packaging facility. All structures on the farming village are planned to be green buildings. Additionally, consideration is being given to open a local health clinic to be utilized by area residents, as well as “returnees.” FURI plans to be an integral part of the Jamaican national community, both as an advocate for returnees, and a leader in sustainable community development. FURI’s holistic approach seeks to find balance for the returnee as a function within the community and environmental context.

Support from Within
Inmates that will be deported are also looking at ways in which they can be successfully reintegrated in their home countries. Members of the Caribbean African Unity (CAU) a prison-based not-for-profit organization that was founded in 1986, has taken an interest in the deportation issue as it relates to deportations for Caribbean nationals from the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. The group has fostered an advocacy movement and endorsed the FURI inside the prison system and made monetary contributions. Although a prison-based group, the CAU has brought attention to the potential dire effects of deportation on the Caribbean as a whole. Many CAU members who have reached out to FURI, have indicated a desire for productive living and nation building and are hopeful that they will be provided with the tools and opportunity to be contributing members of society. In an attempt to address the societal concerns surrounding the deportation issue CAU, through the seminars that they host, is striving to bring about positive change where it matters most— in the prisoners who will be deported tomorrow.

FURI—Auxiliary Resettlement Services
In the Fall of 2006, FURI began to provide Auxiliary Resettlement Services (ARS). FURI-ARS provides additional support for returnees and their families. ARS returnee recipients are those with family connections in Jamaica, or availability of long-term housing. ARS also provides important services to spouses, children, and other relatives of the returnee. ARS services range from assisting with relocation and securing real estate in Jamaica, to providing individual and group therapy, as well as job training. FURI-ARS is Jamaica’s leading returnee support network.

Contact FURI

FURI—New York
144 West 127th Street
New York, New York, 10027
Phone: 646-698-2172/4
Facsimile: 646-698-2184
familyunif@hotmail.com

FURI—Jamaica
171 Windward Road
Kingston, Jamaica
876 930-0359
876 2793283.
furijamaica@yahoo.com

FURI Supporters

CVA Consulting Services
144 West 127th Street
New York, New York, 10027

The Carib News
15 West 29th Street
New York, New York, 10018
Quality Associates
1150 B Grand Concourse
Bronx, New York, 10458

Social Service Organizations Providing Assistance to Returnees

Cornerstone Ministries—Prison Fellowship
12-14 Locket Avenue
Kingston 14
(876) 922-2682

Department of Correctional Services
5-7 King Street
Kingston 7
(876) 929-2997

Food for the Poor
Spanish Town
St. Catherine
(876) 984-7530/1

Hope for Jamaica
I National Heroes Circle
St. Catherine
(876) 984-7530/1

Land of My Birth
12-14 Locket Avenue
Kingston 14
(876) 418-0457

Operation Friendship, Ltd.
2C East Bell Road
Kingston 11
(876) 923-8933

The Salvation Army
53 Lyndhurst Rd.
Kingston 5
(876) 908-0389

Stella Maris Foundation
62 Shortwood Road
Kingston 8
(876) 941-2000

The Steps To Acquiring Duty-Free Waivers For Charitable Donations

Sat, 21 Apr 2007 17:00:00 UT

Below are the step to obtain duty-free waivers for your charitable donations of gifts to Jamaican Institutions.

The receiving institution (school/organization) in Jamaica and primary contact person must first be identified by the donor;
A letter should be sent to the institution (school/organization) from the donor, itemizing the contents of the donation along with a cost estimate;
A letter must be written to the Minister of Finance and Planning (Hon. Audley Shaw, 28 National Heroes Circle, Kingston 4) petitioning him for a duty-free waiverto be applied to those items which are to be charitably distributed in Jamaica;
The letter of petition to the Honorable Minister should clearly detail the description and cost of each item of donation;
Items identified for charitable donation in Jamaica should only be shipped subsequent to receipt of a duty-free waiver from the Minister of Finance;
Typically, once the letter of petition has been mailed to the Minister of Finance, a response should be received from his office within five (5) weeks.

If you have any further concerns, contact:

THE CONSULATE OF JAMAICA
C.P. Ricardo Allicock, Consul General
305-374- 8431 or jamconmi@bellsouth.net

CONSULATE GENERAL OF JAMAICA
767 Third Ave, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10017-2993
Tel: (212) 935-9000 Fax: (212) 935-7507
registry@congenjamaica-ny.org

Source: Jamaican Diaspora Southern U.S.

NGO Profile: Build Jamaica Foundation

Fri, 30 Mar 2007 17:00:00 UT

Build Jamaica Foundation - A DREAM FOR A BETTER JAMAICA

The Organisation
Build Jamaica Foundation is a non- profit non- political organisation committed to restoring a sense of hope, purpose and dignity through the efforts of concerned Jamaicans at home and abroad.

The Build Jamaica Foundation presents an opportunity for every Jamaican, local and overseas, to be proactively involved in community development. Launched in September 1998 under the patronage of Governor General, Sir Howard Cooke, BJF relies heavily on the concept of civic investment and participation.

The Plan
The focus of Build Jamaica Foundation is to arrest the declining social and economic conditions in Jamaica, by carefully planning and implementing a voluntarily funded development programme.

The Strategy
By committing to contribute One Dollar per day for one, two or three years, you can become a part of this positive movement for the revitalisation of the Jamaican economy and society.

You may also lend your support by sharing your time and ideas as we seek to rekindle the true Jamaican spirit.

Board of Directors & Advisors

Rev. Dr. Al Miller, Founder and Chairman of BJF is Pastor of the Fellowship Tabernacle, President of the Whole Life Ministries and Chaplain of the Jamaica National Football Team (the Reggae Boyz)

The other Directors of the Board bring a wealth of experience in areas such as Finance, Law, Human Resource, Education, Technology and Communications.

Patrick Redwood – Accountant
Lenworth Newton Anglin – Minister of Religion
Elaine Foster- Allen – Educator
Jennifer Simpson- James – Attorney
Orville Walker – Financial Consultant

The Board of Directors is also supported by a Board of Advisors.

Volunteer Base
BJF utilises a tiered volunteer structure which includes team and chief team leaders who serve various committees for the Foundation.

How to Contact / Support Us
58 Half Way Tree Road, Kingston 10
Phone (876) 754-8286 or (876) 754-8287
Fax (876) 908-0732

Donations can be made to any of the following accounts:
– JNBS : 31712121
– JNBS (CAD) : 10129039
– JNBS (Stg.) : 10129033
– First Caribbean : 1001309441
– NCB : 211365684
– BNS : 0050414
– VMBS : 1-21533906
– VMBS (US) : 962-0565-3
– VMBS (CAD) : 194-66517
– VMBS (Stg.) : 985558-40
– JMMB : 0341010054547
– JMMB (US) : 1349202

2006 Annual Toy Drive Update

Wed, 03 Jan 2007 17:00:00 UT

In October - November 2006 Jamaicans.com partnering with the Eye on Jamaica Project for our annual Christmas Toy drive. We asked you the users to support our toy drive to benefit the three organizations that were selected, are; Matthew 25:40, Dare To Care and Martha's Place. We had a goal of collecting 100 toys by November 20th 2006 c. We beat the goal by almost 10 and the toys were distributed on Christmas day. Due to privacy laws that protect children with HIV/AIDS we are not able show pictures of the children with the toys. Thank you and we will do it again next year.

NGO Profile: Operation Restoration

Mon, 27 Nov 2006 17:00:00 UT

Mission
The mission of Operation Restoration is to educate, nurture, mobilize and empower inner-city Jamaican youth of low social and economic status to become productive, law-abiding citizens.
The goal is to restore dignity and pride through life-enhancing experiences, educational opportunities, art and skills development.
Whilst Operation Restoration has no illusions about wiping out illiteracy, hunger, poverty and crime in these communities, it is our fervent belief that with the help from God and our benefactors we can realize our vision to: “Change the community to impact the nation and the world."

History
‘Operation Restoration’ is a Christian non-profit organization founded in West Palm Beach, in Florida, in 1988 by Lorna Archer-Stanley. ‘Operation Restoration Centre’ was established in Rema, Trench Town in September 1994 in an attempt to help alleviate the violence poverty and political conflict, which exist in these inner-city communities. After operating an after-school programme for two-and-a half years the Operation Restoration Christian School (ORCS) was established.

ORCS
ORCS is a remedial education school for pre-teens and young adults between 12 and 23 years who lack basic literacy and numeracy skills. This program prepares those of high school age to take the Grade Nine Achievement Test and be reintegrated into public high schools, while older students are prepared for qualifying entrance exams into the HEART programme.

Skills Training
Next to literacy the students are also trained in leather craft, dressmaking, cosmetology, computer to enable them to become self-sufficient.

Incentive Programme
In an attempt to encourage and motivate, students are rewarded with incentive points, for hard work and discipline, which they may use to redeem school supplies, clothing, toys and other valuable items.

Counselling
Behavioural and emotional problems are common with a majority of students. Therefore, intervention into the lives of our many hopeless, disillusioned students is an integral component of our curriculum.

Meals
Breakfast and lunch are provided daily at a nominal charge. However, most students are unable to afford this and sponsors and donations of food are critically needed.

After School
An after school programme is conducted to assist primary school children with home work and preparation for GSAT exams. A few high school students are assisted with CXC subjects. Sponsors are also sourced for deserving high school students in need of lunch, fees and books.

Community Involvement
ORCS has had a profound impact on the wider community as it plays an integral role in helping to maintain peace as well as unifying people toward sustainable social and economic development. A former gunman was recently assisted with tuition for a computer graphic course as well as a computer he plans using to make a living. More and more youngster are being employed to fill the steady increase of orders for leather craft items from the Sandals Hotels.
Many indigent mothers and senior citizens are also assisted with bread and other food staples that are sourced for this purpose.

The Strong Women of Trench Town (SWOTT) continues to grow as it seeks to promote good values and attitudes in young women in the community. Parenting workshops is also a popular feature of SWOTT.

Staff and Volunteers
Most staff members are from the community. The impact of the programme at the local level has been far-reaching, with involvement from the members of the community, the transformation of lives and re-ordering of perspectives of those directly involved, in terms of being gainfully employed.
Their personal and professional development has begun, as they all attend evening classes.
Both teachers and other staff have become positive role models and are held in high esteem by residents, who respectfully hail them as 'Sir' and 'Miss' as they proudly walk the streets.
Volunteers also provide much needed support. Unfortunately most volunteers are from Belgium and Holland as residents from the wider society tend to stay away because of the stigma of crime and violence associated with Trench Town.

Achievements
- More than 900 students have mastered literacy with varying degrees of success.
- Several former remedial students have been attending traditional high schools. Many are school prefects.
- More than 15 past students have been successful in several CXC subjects.
- Former past students are gainfully employed as secretaries, bookkeeper, swimming instructor, counsellors.
- Our pre-trained teachers are now attending/graduating from teachers college.
- Several Commendations from Jamaican and international news media.

Additional information
Operation Restoration
Lorna Stanley, JP, Founder/Principal
12c Collie Smith Dr.
Trench Town, Kingston 12
Jamaica, W.I
(876) 967-4245 (T/F)
www.operation-restoration.org
RestoringJamaica@yahoo.com (montly newsletter on request)

The Save Jamaica Fund (SJF)

Wed, 27 Sep 2006 17:00:00 UT

The Save Jamaica Fund (SJF) is the only UK based charity which funds the education of less fortunate children throughout Jamaica while simultaneously providing shelter for vulnerable homeless people, such as the elderly, disabled and those with children.

Founded in 2004, the SJF has three main objectives:

The first objective is to fund the schooling of less fortunate children and young adults in Jamaica. 1 in 3 children in Jamaica are not attending school because they do not have the financial resources to do so. Missing out on education leaves these children with very little hope for career opportunities. With the Save Jamaica Fund paying for these children's education, uniform and stationery, we are hoping to give more children the right to education that they deserve.
The second objective is to build homeless accommodation in each of the 14 parishes in Jamaica. There are over 100,000 homeless people in Jamaica today and the numbers are rising. Due to a lack of government support and few jobs available in Jamaica, many vulnerable people such as the elderly, young and disabled find themselves living on the streets. The Save Jamaica Fund plans to build homeless accommodation for the most vulnerable in Jamaica. A safe place to live is the basic right of every human being, but unfortunately it is not reality.
And finally, in the UK, SJF try to advance the education of children and adults by the teaching of Jamaican culture and heritage, through workshops, seminars, shows and exhibitions. This includes the study of music, literature, art, dance and history.

Every year, the Save Jamaica Fund put a minimum of 15 children into school, some for the first time. In 2006, the SJF helped 20 new children across Jamaica. Through a system where children apply to the Save Jamaica Fund for financial assistance, the organisation aims to help those who are most desperate and have no other way to pay for their basic tuition fees and educational resources.

The SJF has an overall aim to build at least one homeless unit in each parish of Jamaica. Each unit will hold space for up to 100 vulnerable homeless individuals and families. The first parish of focus is St Catherine. The SJF are planning to have the first homeless unit in St Catherine built by 2008.

70% of the charity's revenue is generated from monthly donations. Everyday SJF volunteers set out trying to recruit as many regular monthly donators as possible. This method of donating allows the organisation to be able to plan ahead because of a steady and predictable income.

While the SJF do encourage people to become regular donators, the charity is very grateful for one off donations. One off donations helps us to make allowances for events and invest in other fundraising activities, which will help us to make more money. They also allow us to increase the amount of work we are doing overseas. All donations received help the Save Jamaica Fund to continue the invaluable work we are doing towards helping the poorest people of Jamaica and giving them access to the basic human rights they deserve. To make a one off donation please make a cheque or bank draft payable to ‘Save Jamaica Fund’ and post to: Save Jamaica Fund, PO Box 2717, Mitcham, Surrey, CR4 2YF, England.

By donating just £5 a month, you will be funding the education of one Jamaican child for a year. It costs just £60 a year to send a child to school in Jamaica and with your help you can make this possible. You can also donate £3 or £2 a month to contribute to our ongoing preparation and building of homeless accommodation across Jamaica. If you live in the UK and would like to be a regular giver, please email members@savejamaicafund.org.uk for a membership form.

Tel: 020 8286 8900 (automated telephone service)

Web: www.savejamaicafund.org.uk

Charity Registration No: 1109306

NGO - Great Shape Inc

Mon, 26 Dec 2005 17:00:00 UT

Great Shape Inc.! is an international humanitarian partnership
dedicated to empowering Jamaican children in need. Since 2003,Great Shape! has partnered with International SmilePower and Jamaica Ministry of Health to deliver over 1/2 million US $$ in dental services and education to over 3,500 Jamaicans each year -project "1000 SMILES".We organize over 40 dental volunteers to travel from the USA to work in rural clinics for 2 weeks at a time providing gretly needed
service-fillings,cleanings and extractions--dental hygiene education & sealant on permanent molars of children 6 & 12 yrs. old.

Our successes since "wild Gilbert 1988" include a community center, 2 basic schools,
delivered thousands of books,art and sports supplies, basketball scholarships in the
USA, rebuilt a road seving a pottery community in St.Elizabeth.We are a grass-roots
humanitarian,non-governmental,sectarian,charitable,non profit started in Ashland,Or.1988-we have formed partnerships with Jamaican schools,medical offices,social workers,churches,hotels,government bodies and other NGO's to effectively address community problems as they relate to children.
We do still need volunteers each year! Vist us at: http://www.gsjamaica.org/

The Jamaican American Club

Tue, 01 Nov 2005 17:00:00 UT

This not for profit club's sole purpose is to create unity among positive people who have passion; therefore, the Jamaican American Club will not align itself with any religious, political or social classes that are unwilling to respect an individual's choice for their interpretation of the world.

Goal:
Help the community remain viable.

Intended audience:
Any individual who would like to help is welcome.

Objectives:
The club wants to provide meaningful service in healthcare, education, environment and entrepreneur.

Projects:
2010 – Donated Trench Town Reading Center
2005 – Sent Hospital supplies to Jamaican hospitals.
2004 – Held a fundraiser and donated funs to the Red Cross in Jamaica and Florida.
2003 – Had a Essay contest for University of the West Indies students
2002 – Chicaho Carifete participant
2001 – Chicaho Carifete participant

Contact:
JamaicanAmericanClub@yahoo.com
http://www.JamaicanAmericanClub.org

Habitat for Humanity Jamaica: Building homes, Changing lives, one family at a time.

Fri, 28 Oct 2005 17:00:00 UT

Habitat for Humanity Jamaica is a non-profit organisation whose mission is to eradicate sub-standard housing on the island of Jamaica by building homes for families in need. Our mission also includes a commitment to making the provision of decent shelter a matter of conscience and action.

We are a registered company approved under the Approved Institutions and Organisations established and operated for charitable or educational purposes under Section 13(1)(q) of the Income Tax Act of Jamaica.

Initiated by local business leaders in 1992, Habitat for Humanity Jamaica has, since that time, provided decent homes for almost 300 families in seven parishes in the island.

Our homes are built with block and steel, post and panel and the Royal Building System which uses pre- fabricated concrete technology and vary between one and two bedroom units with a living area, indoor kitchen & bathroom.

Habitat for Humanity Jamaica is governed at the national level by its Board of Directors, and at the community level it is managed by community residents and potential beneficiaries organized in a Habitat Local Affiliate. The North West is one such affiliate.

The North West Affiliate covers the parishes of Hanover, Saint James and Trelawny. We have been actively engaged in community and home building in the North West region for over ten years and in that time have provided homes for over twenty families.

There is a great need for housing in our region and so we hope to increase our building significantly by building at least twenty houses every year. But we will need a lot of help to do this.

At this time, our home building has slowed down tremendously as we are in dire need of financial assistance.

Financial support comes from various sources including Habitat programs abroad, local individuals, churches and corporations.

These contributions provide 10 to 12 year interest free loans to low-income families. Their monthly payments go into a revolving fund, which offers other families a chance at home ownership. The average cost of building a Habitat house in Jamaica is US$ 12,000.

If you would like to find out more about Habitat for Humanity, Jamaica North West, and how you can help us to continue to provide decent, affordable housing for Jamaicans, please e-mail Keri Johnson at kerij2@cwjamaica.com .

For further information please contact:

Alicia Dobson
28 Upper Waterloo Road, Kingston 10
Tel.: 960-3466/920-0509 Fax: 960-3466

Jamaica Foundation of Houston

Sat, 01 Oct 2005 17:00:00 UT

The Jamaica Foundation of Houston and its predecessor organization, the Jamaican Association of Greater Houston, have served the Houston community for a combined 25 years. The primary purpose of the organization is to preserve and enhance Jamaican culture in Houston. It continues to pursue growth and to encompass a wider group of volunteers to serve a larger and growing community.

Many Caribbean students with high school diplomas from their native country are not eligible for conventional scholarships offered in the Houston area, regardless of their academic excellence and need. The Foundation seeks to help fill this gap. On June 4, 2005 the Jamaica Foundation awarded 16 scholarships to promising college students, primarily from Jamaica. Over the past 25 years the foundation has awarded more than 200 scholarships. Many former recipients are pursuing promising professional careers in both the United States and the Caribbean.

The Jamaica Foundation has led or participated in several community based projects, in partnership with the Jamaican Consulate in Houston and other organizations. They have supported organizations in Jamaica such as the Jamaica Library Service with children’s books, encyclopedia sets and communications equipment, several hospitals with medical equipment and supplies. Hurricane Ivan caused extensive damage in the Spanish Town area in 2004,. A partnership agreement between Houston and Spanish Town was signed in 2004 by the mayors of both cities. The Foundation and Consulate organized a community effort which sent two 40-foot containers of relief supplies to the Spanish Town Hospital and St. Catherine Infirmary. They are currently working on filling a third 40-foot container with school supplies, building materials and other needed equipment.

The Foundation works with business and government representatives in Houston to accomplish common goals. As a leader of the Caribbean Advisory Committee of the Houston International Festival in 1998 they developed, wrote and edited an educational book on the history and culture of the Caribbean which was published and widely distributed in Houston schools. Jamaican and Caribbean cultural events in Houston have been hosted or supported by the Jamaica Foundation, often in collaboration with other Caribbean organizations.

The Jamaica Foundation is an all-volunteer, non-profit organization with modest financial strength, they aim to build or acquire a Caribbean Cultural Community Center in Houston. This will enable the countries of the Caribbean to have a stronger voice in the Houston community and help to preserve the Caribbean cultures in the area.

Jamaica Foundation of Houston
P O Box 710824
Houston TX 77271-0824
Tel. 713-785-8703
http://www.jamaicafoundationofhouston.org

New Jamaica Not For Profit Profiles

Tue, 27 Sep 2005 17:00:00 UT

New Jamaica Not For Profit Profiles

The Jamaican Children’s Heart Fund

Tue, 27 Sep 2005 17:00:00 UT

MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of Jamaican Children’s Heart Fund is to facilitate and address the urgency reflected in the increasing, rather than decreasing list of infants and children with congenital and acquired heart problems in Jamaica.

We pursue this mission through integrated, holistic commitment to:

Transformational Development
to be strong advocates for the cardiac care of indigent children with acquired or congenital heart disease in Jamaica.

Emergency Relief
determined persistence in reducing the mortality rate of indigent children with heart disease in Jamaica.

Promotion of Early Detection
that seeks to facilitate and encourage a process of early detection and treatment of heart disease in Jamaican children.

Partnerships with global missions building organizations
to advocate and contribute to the healthcare of Jamaican children in need.

Public Awareness
that leads to informed understanding, giving and involvement.

Board of Directors :

United States: Dr. Richard Perryman . Dr. Gerald Lavandosky . Rudolph McGlashan . Gwendolyn Grant .

Jamaica: Dr. Patricia Yap . Dr. Lambert Innis

JAMAICA CHILDREN”S HEART FUND:

Fighting Pediatric Congenital and Acquired Heart Disease in the Jamaica

This organization is comprised of a team of medical professionals from South Florida who have traveled to Jamaica over the past several years on pediatric cardiac surgical missions, primarily under the sponsorship of CHMA and other co-sponsors.

The team has recently established themselves under the name Jamaican Children’s Heart Fund, Inc. - the purpose, to facilitate and address the increased need for additional cardiac surgical mission trips to Jamaica annually, aimed at providing a new lease on life for children with heart disease. The team trips to date have been only once per year. It is therefore the objective of JCHF, Inc. to increase these missions to at least 3 - 4 trips annually. The team will now be independently available for sponsorship or co-sponsorship by any organization or individuals committed to giving children the gift of life.

The question becomes, why is Jamaica the target of this team’s commitment and focus? The answer is reflected in the urgency displayed in the increasing, rather than decreasing list of infants and children with congenital and acquired heart problems in Jamaica. The waiting list for surgery and for those yet to be evaluated needs our immediate attention and action. Many have been waiting for a long time, some for years. Without this much needed surgery, many will die and have been dying at a very early age. To date the rise in acquired and congenital heart disease is especially visible among indigent children in Jamaica.

The JCHF team members have been together on these missions for over six years, and are strong advocates for children’s healthcare. Having been in a position to intimately see the challenges these children face, they are deeply committed to changing this situation collectively. They are therefore offering quality medical skills free of cost to help heal youngsters with heart conditions. To make this a reality they have given up their personal vacation time and work long hours in often challenging conditions to make this a reality.

Additionally, the team generates funds through fundraising activities and donation solicitation to defray the cost of the cardiac surgery, hospitalization and medication to the families, provide additional education and training in the field of Pediatric Heart surgery and Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care, thereby empowering Jamaican medical professionals to carry on the work.

The Jamaican Children’s Heart Fund medical mission’s team. – is composed of volunteers from:

Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital

Dr. Richard Perryman, Chief of Pediatric Cardiothoracic Surgery

Dr. Gerald Lavandosky, Pediatric Intensivist

Dr. Luis Salcedo, Pediatric Anesthesiologist

Alison Davis, Physician Assistant

Angel Diaz, Perfusionist

Eileen Watkins, Yvette Duncan, Elizabeth Morton, Tiffini Harris, Lisette Kaplan, Madeline Faisca, Phyllis Jolly – Nurses

Jackson Memorial Hospital

Cynthia Kennedy, Mike Maymi – Nurses
It is with their passion and dedication that Jamaican Children’s Heart Fund, Inc. remains committed to this cause. JCHF continues to seek sponsors and donations to serve children with acquired and congenital heart disease.

For additional information, vist there website

The Blue Mountain Project

Thu, 28 Apr 2005 17:00:00 UT

The Blue Mountain Project, a not for profit organization dedicated to educating and empowering indigenous populations of developing countries, offers volunteer vacation packages. Adventure seekers can travel to Hagley Gap, a small rural village in Jamaica’s beautiful Blue Mountains, where they will engage in an all-inclusive volunteer experience. The Service Learning Projects are designed to introduce local culture while utilizing the volunteer’s skills to improve community lifestyle. All profits are used to fund a health clinic, educational projects, and other ongoing projects.

Volunteers have the opportunity to explore life beyond Jamaica’s many vacation areas, to have a good time while helping people who are eager to learn and to improve their standards of living. They may stay a few days or a few weeks, although extended stay options are encouraged. Volunteers stay with host families allowing them to delve deeply into Jamaican culture and traditions. Itineraries are flexible and scheduled around meals, leisure time, and planned day trips.

In exchange for immersion into Jamaican culture, volunteers agree to participate in a Service Learning Project. Service Learning Projects are designed to improve the communities of Hagley Gap and Penlyne Castle. Projects vary with community demand and offer opportunities for volunteers to observe and experience ongoing development. Current projects include Community Center renovations, Summer Day Camps, economic development activities, and home visits to help the house-bound.

Total cost per day/night stay is $79.00 USD. Program costs include meals, lodging, and island transportation from arrival at the Kingston Airport.

Registration forms, photos and further information are accessible through the BMP website at: www.bluemountainproject.org or email slp@bluemountain.project.org.

The local contact is Cathy Skoula at (715)690-5433, ed@bluemountainproject.org.

Jamaicans.com 2004 Toy Drive Pictures

Tue, 26 Apr 2005 17:00:00 UT

In December Jamaicans.com partnering with Chichibud LTD. and Food For the Poor to distribute toys in the childrens wards at UWI, Bustamante and St. margaret's hospitals. Below are pictures.

The Yard Project

Mon, 25 Apr 2005 17:00:00 UT

YARD PROJECT has grown out of an ongoing conversation among a group of “Bay People,” at home and abroad, about the need for a coordinated and sustained program of redevelopment for the community of Old Harbour Bay. Our general objective is to work for the development of Jamaican communities. Old Harbour Bay is our primary focus.

Hurricane Ivan’s devastation precipitated a discussion among us about an immediate, collaborative response. The result was the formation of YARD PROJECT with the following objectives:

- To build on the work of existing efforts to develop a network through which we can mobilize the large number of Bay People outside of Jamaica, especially those in the United States, Canada, and England to contribute to the rebuilding of our beloved community. (Different ones of us have been working in community development for many years.)

- To work with community development and other related groups to create and implement a long term plan for the redevelopment of Old Harbour Bay.

Dexter B. Gordon
Executive Director
YARD PROJECT
4605 74th Ave. Court NW
Gig Harbor, WA 98335
Phone 253-210-0149

Hurricane Ivan News and Worldwide Relief Efforts

Tue, 28 Sep 2004 17:00:00 UT

Hurricane Ivan News and Worldwide Relief Efforts

Jamaicans.com / Jampact / Chichibud Ivan Hurricane Relief Fund

Sat, 11 Sep 2004 17:00:00 UT

We have partnered with Jampact (New York) and Chichibud Inc (Jamaica) to raise funds for Ivan Hurricane Relief Fund. The funds will be distributed by Chichibud Inc. in Jamaica.

Many of you have indicated you have tangible donations. We have been listing drop off points (or mailing addresses) in our feedback forum as we get them from the media, organizations and the government of Jamaica. Please visit that forum for a drop off point near you. You can also see photos of the damage.

Continue keep Jamaica in your thoughts and prayers. Please donate online today.

DONATIONS ONLINE NOW:

All donations are tax deductible.

Please also see our Hurricane Relief Page for information on other relief efforts.

ABOUT JAMPACT
Jamaica Impact Inc. ("JAMPACT") is a certified 501(c) 3 non-profit organization consisting of a diverse group of young Jamaican professionals, students and friends of Jamaica.

Our philosophy is to use our collective energies, intelligence and resources, as a catalyst for progress in Jamaica. Our main objective is to make positive contributions towards the improvement of social and economic conditions in Jamaica.

JAMPACT works towards achieving its mission in two distinct ways, through:
- Contribution to the policy debate on economic growth and education
- Tangible contributions to needy organizations in Jamaica

For more information on JAMPACT initiatives,visit our website at http://www.jampact.org

ABOUT CHICHIBUD LTD
Chichibud LTD, an educational NGO (Non-Governmental Organization) dedicated to providing Jamaicans of all ages but particularly primary school aged children, with opportunities to play, read and explore their history and culture.

Jamerican Outreach Inc

Wed, 01 Sep 2004 17:00:00 UT

Organization Profile

“To foster hope in the hearts and minds of the people of Jamaica by administering to their needs in a holistic manner”

Mission

We believe that the people of Jamaica can benefit from us giving back our time, energy and resources to help in supporting families and empowering communities. To this end, JAMERICAN OUTREACH, INC. (JOI) will work with individuals, families, organizations and communities to help meet their needs and address their issues.

ABOUT US - The idea for JAMERICAN OUTREACH INC. was born on July 4, 2003 when a group of friends became engrossed in a passionate discussion about the socio-economic issues in Jamaica. It was decided that we should and could affect positive changes in our beloved homeland. This came to fruition with the incorporation of JAMERICAN OUTREACH, INC. in February 2004.

PURPOSE - The JAMERICAN OUTREACH, INC is organized exclusively for charitable purposes, specifically charity for the people of Jamaica, West Indies. Jamerican Outreach’s goal is primarily aimed at improving access to quality education in Jamaica, targeting needy students with aptitude and providing much needed resources for schools and other social institutions. We will adopt schools, offer grants and scholarships and other resources as needed or deemed essential to improving quality of education and life of the youths. As we grow, we hope to broaden our scope of giving to also benefit people in need in other countries.

Current Projects

Adopt-A-School program:
Browns Town Primary- 2004 grant recipient.

Literacy

The school’s goal is to achieve at least 90% mastery in Literacy throughout the school. At present they are faced will innumerable obstacles due to the lack of the Reading Lab and equipment.

The impact this facility will have on these students will be remarkable as they will assist the lab in small groups and will receive individual attention. They will be enthused and excited by the new and attractive materials and equipment, which will undoubtedly generate a high level of interest and better grades in Literacy. It is also hoped that attendance and punctuality will be improved.

Information Technology

In this present day, Information Technology is a global enterprise. It is our goal to expose our students from Grade one to computers and information and Technology. Our students have the aptitude, interest and ability to perform at a high standard. In many instances after our students reach High school they face difficulty when they must compete with students who have been exposed to information Technology at the primary school level. We need to equip our students so that they will be able to compete in this field. It also exposes them to being interested in new career fields.

Our students are fascinated by computers and the limited equipment, which we possess in our school. It is because of this knowledge that we are certain that both students and teachers will motivated to perform optimally thus resulting in heightened attendance and punctuality.

It will assist students who are categorized as slow learners to be better facilitated for, in the sense that lessons will be more visual, audible, hands – on and attractive.

Outreaching Scholarship: Our 2004 scholarship recipient is Everton Henry from Brown’s Town Primary. We will provide him with full tuition, books and uniform for the duration of High School contingent upon his academic performance.

Gift Donations: US $200 to Marvin Walker from Browns Town primary and Antonette Henry from Bellevue Primary.

To join Jamerican Outreach Inc. or make a donation, please visit our website http://www.jamericanoutreach.com and see membership form. Or you can contact us directly by phone or email if you require further information on our organization.

Contact: Nadine Shaw-Founder/President
Address: 257-66 145th Avenue, Rosedale, NY 11422
Tel: (718) 506-7789
Email: nadineshaw@jamericanoutreach.com

Paula Thompson-Secretary
Tel: (917) 561-6497
Email: paulathompson@jamericanoutreach.com

2004 Annual Book Drive Update

Tue, 31 Aug 2004 17:00:00 UT

Thanks again to the many of you who participated in the Jamaicans.com 2004 book drive. The books were given to benefit the children of the Allen-Shaw Reading Room in Jamaica. Below are pictures and a thank you letter from the Allen-Shaw Foundation. Thank you and we will do it again next year.

LETTER FROM THE THE ALLEN-SHAW FOUNDATION INC.

“When you [give] a man a book, you don’t sell him 12 ounces of paper and ink and glue-you [give] him a whole new life.” - Christopher Morley

To: All Jamaicans.com Book Drive Contributors

The Allen-Shaw Foundation, Inc. wishes to thank you for your kind participation in the Jamaicans.com 2004 Book Drive to benefit the children of the Allen-Shaw Reading Room in Jamaica, West Indies. At the Allen-Shaw Reading Room, we not only strive to enhance the literacy rate and the interest in reading, but also to make the children proud of their culture, traditions and heritage. The children are grateful for your donations.

We depend on kindness such as yours to achieve our educational goals for the children of the Allen-Shaw Reading Room community.

Sincerely,
Paula Shaw
Founder/Chairperson

Jamaica Heart Foundation Donation Presentation July 2004

Thu, 29 Jul 2004 17:00:00 UT

In May-June 2004 we had a drive to raise money for a donation to the Jamaica Heart Foundation in the name of Marcia “Ackeegirl” Davidson, Jamaicans.com forum administrator and writer, who passed away last year after a long battle with heart disease.. We had a goal of $1000, which we beat by $196. A check was presented to the Heart Foundation of Jamaica at Jamaicans.com Jamaica 2004 Bashment in Ocho Rios on July 19th, 2004. A special thank you to the many of you who helped us the Jamaica Heart Foundation project. We received a special certificate of appreciation from the the Jamaica Heart Foundation. We have vowed to do an annual donation so we will do it again next year. Below are pictures at the presentation.

Windsor Girls Home Presentation July 2004

Wendie — Sun, 25 Jul 2004 17:00:00 UT

On a hill in St. Anns Bay stands a building…a magnificent building, an example of old Jamaica architecture. Tourists, from around the world, once graced the arched doorways and magnificent vistas. Today, these doorways and vistas are still enjoyed, not by tourists…but by Barbara Black, her staff and “their girls”. This former hotel is now the Windsor Girls Home in St. Anns Bay.

On July 19 members of Jamaicans.com, who were in Ocho Rios for the 2004 annual bashment, visited Windsor Girls home. This year’s bashment charity of choice was the girls home and we collected needed items that were donated by our generous members. Collected items included books, office and school supplies, toiletries, clothing, games, radios/CD players, sewing supplies, cosmetology supplies and more.

Windsor Girls home, funded and operated by the Jamaican Government, is home to girls aged 12-18. During our visit there were approximately 34 girls living at the home with upwards of 60 living there during the school year. These girls come from all over the island and most have no other place to go. Some are fortunate enough to have family that they go stay with during the summer holiday months. Funding from the government is limited and donations such as ours help to make ends meet.

While living at the school, they not only learn the basic subjects like Math and English, but they are also prepared for life after Windsor. The home has programs for Cosmetology, Dressmaking/Sewing and Home Economics. Barbara Black and her staff have the task of preparing the girls for life outside the Windsor walls.

While talking with Barbara, who is the administrator, you can see the pride she takes in “her girls”. She was proud to show us their Kitchen lab where home ec. classes are taught, and where a recipe for Bulla on the chalk board caught my attention.

She also showed us their computer lab where the girls learn basic computer skills. Sadly of the 10 or so computers we saw in the room, only about half were functional.

With all the obstacles that Windsor has to over come, they do their best to provide a well-rounded education. Some of their students go on to college; one has even gone on to study at UWI. But there are obstacles, first there is the limited funding, next is trying to keep the girls from being tempted to run away. Windsor sits in the middle of a squatter community. The men of this community often try to entice the girls to leave the property with promises of a better life. Sadly, there are the occasions where these men are successful. Many of the girls are orphaned or have come from dysfunctional families. Some have been abused and/or abandoned and promises of love and freedom win out over education and rules.

In addition to those problems, we also learned that their building is slowly falling down. One unused section slid down the hill recently. Other parts are unsafe to use and have been closed off. As I looked around, I could see that at one time the property was a beautiful place. The views are spectacular and the grounds still show evidence of fountains and beautiful gardens.

Aside from the state of the property, there are the girls. One girl, whose face is still so clear to me, had a smile that she couldn’t hold back as our eyes met. She was shy unlike some of the other girls who were anxious to see what we had brought. She sat off to the side and watched. Her eyes were wide and sparkled, her skin was beautifully flawless and the color of chocolate. Several times while being given our tour I saw her and winked…she would giggle. As we drove off, I saw her watching again…I waved goodbye and so did she. I wanted to shout to her that I would see her again, because at that moment I hoped I would. But who knows, I know I will visit Windsor again, but will she be there? I hope so, and if not, I hope she has moved on to have a good and peaceful life. One that she so deserves.

The Passion Bernard Transplant (PBT) Foundation

Tue, 22 Jun 2004 17:00:00 UT

ORGAN TRANSPLANTS
Organ Transplants are one of the most popular and important surgeries being performed daily.At present, there are literally thousands of individuals awaiting organ transplants.

The Passion Bernard Transplant Foundation would like to dispense generaltransplant information and encourage you to become an organ donor. Kindly take the time to fill out an Organ Donor Card at your area DMV. Discuss this subject with your family and put it in writing.

It only takes a minute to make a difference in a child's life "OneTransplant at a Time"!

On March 13th, 2003, Our seven-year-old daughter Passion Luray Bernard had to undergo an emergency liver transplant At Jackson Memorial Hospital (Miami, Florida). Due to this experience we have come to recognize that there is a daily need for Pediatric transplants. This need is even more pronounced for children in the Caribbean when funds are not available for the procedures. These children would have to wait years to accumulate funds to pay for these medical procedures. Many children die waiting for their families to accumulate enough money.

Recognizing the urgency of this dilemma and the necessity to assist the situation, we have decided to start a transplant foundation for children of the Caribbean and Caribbean parentage that live in the United States.

MISSION STATEMENT
The Passion Bernard Transplant (PBT) Foundation will assist Caribbean children or children of Caribbean parentage who are in need of organ
transplants.

GOAL
The Passion Bernard Transplant (PBT) will make a difference in a child's life "One Transplant at a Time"!

FUNDING SOURCES
Caribbean businesses, private individuals, government grants, local and foreign organizations etc.

We would like to extend an invitation to become a member of the Passion Bernard Transplant (PBT) Foundation.

DONATIONS
For trust fund donation purposes, make payment payable to: Passion Bernard Medical Trust Fund, Account No. "005486882313" and mail to: Passion Bernard Medical trust Fund, Bank Of America, 4000 N. Federal Highway, Boca Raton, FL 33431

You can also mail us a check. Our Mailing address is: 7499 Parkside Lane, Margate, FL 33063.

St. Clement’s Development Centre

Sat, 29 May 2004 17:00:00 UT

MISSION To assist the people of Kencot on their journey towards economic independence by helping to develop their human resources.

OVERVIEW

The St. Clement’s Development Centre was launched in 1998 as a response to the needs for Human Resource Development identified in the wider Kencot community. This followed the restoration of the St. Clement’s Mission in 1993 by St. Andrew Parish Church, Half-Way-Tree, and resumption of a strong Anglican presence in the area.

The Committee named by the rector of St. Andrew Parish Church, Rev. Father Robert Thompson, to represent the church and assist with the socio-economic development soon recognised that, like most Jamaican inner-city communities, unemployment was a major challenge to Kencot, so the committee engaged in a survey of the skill sets that would find gainful employment in the shortest time, and outlined in Achievements below are some of the courses conducted as a result of this survey.

As an inner city community Kencot enjoys relative calm and an objective of the Development Centre is to assist in improving the economic well-being of the citizens of Kencot as a means of ensuring further economic independence and deceleration of crime.

GEOGRAPHY

The community of Kencot falls within the following geographical boundaries: -

From the point where Kew Rd meets Maxfield Avenue

Southeasterly along Kew Road to meet Crescent Road

Northeasterly along Crescent Road to meet Grove Road

Northeasterly along Grove Road to meet Parry Road

Southeasterly along Parry Road to meet Osbourne Road

Southeasterly along Osbourne Road to meet Central Road

Southeasterly along Central Road to meet central Road Gully

Southwesterly along Central Road Gully to meet Lyndhurst Road

Northwesterly along Lyndhurst Road to meet Maxfield Avenue

Northeasterly along Maxfield Avenue to the starting point at the intersection with Kew Road.

DEMOGRAPHICS

The demographic and social statistics of the area (Statistical Institute of Jamaica) show the following: -

1. Number of households - 925

2. Number of males - 1,304

3. Number of females - 1,523

4. Total population - 2,827

5. Predominant level of education - Secondary (52.4%)

6. Predominant tenure of dwelling - Rent (50.1%).

ACHIEVEMENTS

With the assistance of some generous corporate citizens the SCDC has conducted a number of HRD projects, which have made a positive impact on community life and employment opportunities for the citizens of the community, including : -

1. Dining Room Training Course

A 2-month course with 8 graduates (5 women, 3 men), all of whom were assisted in gaining employment. Some elements of the course were (i) Logistics of Dining Area, (ii) Food Safety and (iii) Guest and Customer Relations.

2. Basic Adult Education

Done in conjunction with JAMAL (Jamaica Adult Literacy), this repetitive course in English, Mathematics and Civics upgrades adult members of the community to effective literacy and numeracy. Currently there are 8 students enrolled in the course.

3. Homework Assistance

This project brings children from the community into an environment conducive for homework assistance. Participants in this programme vary from Primary to High School age. The demand for this service is very high, but because of a lack of resources the project was suspended at the end of 2003.

4. Annual Youth Summer Camps

Run annually, this 3-week summer camp focuses on the socialization of the youth of the community. Each year a different theme is targeted in building the social and extra curricular life of the participants. The most recent camp trained 50 participants in playing a variety of musical instruments, which resulted in the formation of a Community Percussion Band.

5. Seed-funding for Micro Entrepreneurs

Residents of the community are assisted through grants and soft-loans to start income-generating projects.

6. Educational Assistance

This varies from paying external examination fees, school fee assistance, purchase of books and other educational materials, assistance with admission to schools, etc.

FUTURE PROJECTS

1. Adult Education

2. Barbering

3. Dining Room

4. Floral Decoration

5. Homework Assistance

6. Seed-funding for Micro Entrepreneurs

7. Educational Assistance

8. Annual Youth Summer Camp.

FUNDING REQUIREMENTS

Attached are estimated annual costs of the eight (8) projects shown above. Donors may contribute as follows: -

1. A general contribution to the overall HRD objectives of the Centre

2. Select specific course(s) to be funded on an ongoing or annual basis

3. Contribute to specific course(s).

ST. CLEMENT’S DEVELOPMENT CENTRE
2 Crescent Road, Kencot, Kingston 10

CONTACT INFORMATION WORK HOME MOBILE

Mrs. Sybil Thompson, Chairman

924-2466
342-8307

Dr. Las Newman, Vice Chairman

702-0810
702-0733
371-2580

Mrs. Valerie Nam, Secretary

926-5311
925-5517
990-8366

Mr. Frank James, Treasurer/Fund-raising

922-6230
941-5203
375-0665

Miss Kirby Clarke, Fund-raising

968-1671
924-2129
345-7784

Mr. Trevor Blake, Fund-raising

948-9205
944-2037
383-8522

Clarendon Association for Street People (CLASP)

Wed, 31 Mar 2004 17:00:00 UT

Clarendon Association for Street People (CLASP)
Address: Hilltop, P. O. Box 83
May Pen, Clarendon, Jamaica
Telephone: 876 986 6902
Registered charity # 546
Email: clasp@anngel.com (or) claspjamaica@yahoo.co.uk

History:
CLASP was created in 1995 and registered under the Friendly Societies Act in 1997. Its mandate is to take charge of the mentally ill street people, facilitate the provision of their rehabilitation and return the stabilized ones to the mainstream of the wider society. (It should be noted that some of our clients come from hospitals and homes.)

Clinical services:
Clients are evaluated and counseled by a team from Southern Regional Health Authority (SRHA). CLASP also has its internal Clinical Committee. Medication provided by the SRHA and Good Samaritans.

Management:
A Board of fifteen (15) Directors manages CLASP. Its Chairman is Myrtle Roye, JP, and the Board Secretary is Ann E. James, JP. The Board has several Committees, namely: Planning, Financial Accountability, Clinical, Fundraising, Membership and Public Relations.

Staffing: a skeleton staff of volunteers man The Shelter.

Clientele:
Presently our Shelter houses clients 18-55 years from various parishes. CLASP is a 24-hour, 7 days per week operation.
We also facilitate the provision of housing, food and clothing for other indigents in Clarendon.

Needs:
Food; renovation of building (electrical, lavatory, sewage, roof); motor vehicle to transport clients to clinic & to transport goods; small kitchen and funds to pay expenses.
Regular Supporters: Food for the Poor, Methodists, New Testament Church of God, Denbigh United, Seventh Day Adventists, Anglican Womens' Auxiliary, May Pen Baptist, Open Bible, Williams Funeral Home, Robert Burke-Green, Mrs. Claire Parcells, Browns' Business Services and Stewarts' Hardware.

Bankers:
First Caribbean (CIBC). Account # 86402410
NCB Account # 561019959

Jamaicans.com Sons In The Street Fund

Sun, 28 Mar 2004 17:00:00 UT

The Jamaicans.com Sons in the Street Fund was a great success, thanks to the many of you who supported it!!

Background

August 30th, 2003 marks the launch of a fundraising effort by Members of Jamaicans.com to raise necessary funds to financially assist a targeted family in Kingston Jamaica.

The funds will be raised by solicitation from individuals and corporations in traditional and non-traditional target audiences.

With the assistance of the Institute of Jamaica, and other local Agencies, the funds will mainly be distributed in the areas of Education, Medical and Dietary needs specifically for an identified family, in an ongoing manner. The fund is being established in an effort to promote a healthy lifestyle, with positive developmental measures for the children involved.

Our philosophy is to use our collective energies, intelligence and resources, to make positive contributions towards the improvement of social and economic conditions for target families in Jamaica.

Please refer to the Gleaner article, and background information leading to the development of this Fund.

Thank you for helping us to help others help themselves.

Allen-Shaw Foundation, Inc.

Sun, 28 Mar 2004 17:00:00 UT

Allen-Shaw Foundation, Inc.
Information Sheet

Date of Inception: June 1996
Contact: Paula Shaw-Founder/Chairperson
Address: 3565 Bivona Street
Suite 13J
Bronx, New York, 10475
Tel: (718) 379-4232
Fax: (718) 405-1170
E-mail: allenshawfoundation@yahoo.com
Website: http://www.allenshawfoundation.org/
Tax Status Non-Profit Organization

…first of its kind in Jamaica-A district library for residents…
-Mandeville Weekly, December 19, 1996

MISSION STATEMENT:

To provide children in rural Jamaica with knowledge through books and cutting edge computer technology. To give them a window of opportunity to life beyond their limited boundaries and give them desire and hope to strive for excellence.

PURPOSE:

Paula Shaw created the Allen-Shaw Foundation, Inc to help fund the Allen-Shaw Reading Room (Libraries). The Allen-Shaw Reading Rooms were created in honor of her grandmothers Anita Allen-Soares and Doris Shaw. The Allen-Shaw Foundation, Inc. is non-profit organization that has been providing educational materials to children in Jamaica, West Indies since 1996. Our aim is to set up libraries in Jamaica’s rural areas so that our children will have a window of opportunity to life beyond their limited boundaries and give them the desire and hope to strive for excellence. Many of our children in Jamaica’s rural districts are unable to attend school for various reasons, primarily because of the parent’s inability to afford school fees. In the deep rural areas certain facilities and privileges are lacking. Children have to travel many miles to access vital information. The Foundation was established to provide several basic community services such as libraries (Allen-Shaw Reading Rooms), scholarship programs, summer school/camps and literacy classes within these areas. These programs are offered specifically through the Allen-Shaw Reading Rooms with funding from the Foundation.

OBJECTIVE:

The Foundations’ objective is to set up several Reading Rooms throughout the remote areas of Jamaica. Each Reading Rooms will be equip with:

the cutting edge in computer technology
visual equipment (TV/VCR, Slide Projectors)
audio/recognition center (i.e. phonics, alphabets)
an array of books from reference to fiction

PROGRAMS

Through our dedicated efforts, we have built a library in the South Manchester area of Jamaica. In our efforts to bring a ray of hope and lift the aspirations of the children of the Allen-Shaw Reading Room community we provide:

Books, computers and audio visual equipment
Scholarship Program
covers yearly school fees and other expenses of students based on economics and merit
Mentor Program
individuals traveling to Jamaica on vacation volunteer their time to conduct 1-2
day workshops on educational and community related issues
Community Based Programs
literacy programs - remedial classes to students and reading classes for adults
summer school/camps-service to over 100 children each summer provides remedial tutoring, literacy classes, health and social education, and instructional day trips
Allen-Shaw Foundation Mixed Multitude Award - presented to individuals from the community who adopt orphan children and oversee their educational development
Allen-Shaw Foundation Community Service Award-presented to individuals from the community who provides selfless services in their districts/community

The first Allen-Shaw Reading Room, located in Resource District of South Manchester, was toted as a “trail blazing” idea by Jamaica’s largest Newspaper, The Jamaica Gleaner, and as a “first of its kind project” by another local paper. The educational investment that the Allen-Shaw Foundation, Inc. was making to the children of Jamaica was heralded amidst much fanfare by the national television station, “JBC”. The birth of a rural library, through the pregnancy and the labor pains, was well worth our efforts. The reward was seeing children in awe of a room filled with books and watching their fears turn to fascination when the computer started to talk. The doors of literacy are being opened and I would like to keep this going with your help.

Library Locations:

Resource District, Manchester (Main Library-First level of building completed Summer 2002-second level June 2003)

Sav-La-Mar SDA High School, Westmoreland

Past Contributors/Supporters

(Financial, Books, computers, library supplies, Shipping))

At start-up we made significant progress towards our goals through the monetary contributions from organizations such as Colgate-Palmolive Company & Heidtke Foundation, Teachers College Columbia University, JAMPACT, Inc. Books, computers, library supplies and shipping services from:

Golden Book Source
Review & Herald Publishing Company
Pacific Press Publishing
Highsmith Corporation
Gaylord Brothers
Lillian Vernon Corporation
Air Jamaica

It is our desire to continue this momentum with your help.

I am soliciting your assistance in helping to expand the educational opportunities for Jamaica’s rural children. Whether it’s your time, your information, your donations of books or financial support, you will enhance our educational objectives of setting up libraries in under-served areas so a book can become a reality instead of an idea. The Allen-Shaw Reading Rooms in these communities provide the necessary learning tools and access to books to enhance and uplift the educational process. It is a splendid investment in the future of the children and their communities. The Foundation depends entirely on the support of individuals, corporations and others who believe in helping communities around the world.

The Allen-Shaw Foundation, Inc., is a fully qualified corporation under Code Section 501(c) (3).

Allow me to thank you in advance for your interest and support of the Allen-Shaw Reading Rooms in Jamaica.

Paula Shaw
Founder/Chairperson

Allen-Shaw Foundation, Inc.

2000 Report to Contributors
“The older women are starting to read now. They have more time for themselves between 10 Am to 2 PM because the children are in school. They come to the library and take about six books at a time” Clementina Shaw, Managing Director, Allen-Shaw Reading Room, Resource District Library , Jamaica, West Indies

I remember blurting out an answer to the interviewer from the television program “A Ray of Hope” in Jamaica on December 26, 1996 when she asked me “What do you hope to accomplish in five years with your project?” “A building”, was my bold and positive answer. Wanting to kick myself afterwards, I wondered if I was suffering from some heat related ailment. How in the world was I going to get a building for my library?

Well, if you listen closely amidst the bustle of America, you might just hear the cling of a hammer hitting a nail, or even the sloshing sound of water pouring on cement. The residents of Resource District, South Manchester have begun the work of building the Allen-Shaw Foundation Library. This was inevitable because the current space in the local church was bursting at the seams. Also we have a high turnover rate with our librarians, and that is a good thing! They are usually young adults from the community and when they leave, they do so with new computer training provided by the Foundation. With this new motivation they are able to find jobs elsewhere. The library is never left without a librarian because members of the community fill the gap by volunteering their time.

News from 2000

Allen-Shaw Reading Rooms

South Manchester, Resource District

The most interested readers and the most frequent occupants of the library are the one to six year olds. Not to say that the other age groups are not reading. They are, but the Foundation is very interested in making an impact from an early age
The women/mothers are reading more and we are very excited about this precedent being set for the future of the children.
The Educational Field trip sponsored by the Foundation and the local youth club, was a great success. The children were introduced to the indigenous plants, animals and other wildlife of the island. Fascination still abounds with their viewing of animals and floras they never knew existed.
The Summer School enrollment was 165, up from 110 in 1999. Keep in mind that the summer school is run by the Foundation and the local youth club. The government does not sponsor it.
The Reading Program

An ambitious reading program was started in September 2000 to maintain the reading practices of the children while they were attending school. Students from Primary to the High School level were enrolled. We held an awards ceremony for the participants in the Three to Twelve age group in December. There were forty-two participants in this group, and the results were amazing. The prizes were given out for the amount of books read by each individual.

1st prize - 126 2nd prize - 77 3rd prize - 70 4th prize - 66

The Allen-Shaw Foundation Scholarship/Awards

Three scholarships were given out in 2000: for specialized computer courses, for High School, and for the Omar Bryon Davis Education Fund. The fund is for students in Old Harbour Bay from the “captured land” area- (shacks build on government land by people who are homeless).

Libraries update

Due to the Foundations’ plans to build a library in Resource District, South Manchester, it has become necessary to phase out the other libraries that are still in operation; However:

Old Harbour Bay

We will continue the Omar Bryon Davis Educational Fund in this area.

Savanna-la-mar SDA High School, Westmoreland

The Savanna-la-mar library is an independent entity. The Principal of the school manages it and they contact the foundation on an “as needed” basis.

Projection 2002

We are hoping to have a building by summer 2002 (see attached pictures)

We are planning to work with the Jamaican Peace Corp. Organization and Northern Caribbean University to possibly enhance the literacy programs of Allen-Shaw Reading Room in Resource District, South Manchester.

My Thanks

Your donation of educational materials and financial contributions allowed the Foundation to have an exceptional year. We were able to meet our funding needs for all the programs and I am hoping for your continued support this year as we build the library. With your help, the library building program along with our other educational initiatives, will be a success! Thank you! Without your support the Allen-Shaw Foundation would not be able to meet our objective of building a future for children in rural Jamaica. Paula Shaw, Founder

Allen-Shaw Foundation, Inc.
2001 Report to Contributors

“What do you hope to accomplish in five years with your project?” “A building”!

Paula Shaw-JBC Television Program “A Ray of Hope”-December 1996

Pictured here is the first level of the Allen-Shaw Foundation Library building project. Phase 2 will be the top level slated to begin March 2003 which used will be used for commuicay literacy classes and other educational programs

I am pretty sure that the nails cried out with sweet hosannas each time they were hammered into the structure of the new Allen Shaw Reading Room!

I am filled with excitement about the progress of this project in a small farming community in the south of Jamaica.

Closeted on a tiny plot of land, sandwiched between the homes of the two women who influenced the naming of the foundation, the structure continues to grow in a predestined way. So metaphorically speaking, the nails are indeed crying aloud in its honor!

Respect of the past will abound as the completed Reading Room will face the old outdoor kitchen of one grandmother (who knew the power of words but could not decipher them), and the rich bauxite clay and stones that will line the building’s floor comes from the childhood home of the other. When completed, the Allen Shaw Reading Room, nestled between the homes of these two women, will merge the learn and the unlearned and offer a solution to the latter. The building is scheduled to be completed and dedicated in August 2002.

None of this could have occurred without your kindness and financial commitment to this foundation. As I intimated, we are almost there. The finish line is in sight and we are steadfastly working towards it

Alvin Shaw (yellow shirt)

builder of the Allen-Shaw Foundation library, supervises local community

volunteers (2001)

Alvin Shaw (yellow shirt) builder of the Allen-Shaw Foundation library, supervises local community volunteers (2001)

RECOGNITION/ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

(Videos Available)-Articles attached
Air Jamaica Skywriting, October 1999
Article: “Don’t Throw Those Books Out
Southern Heart Beat, August 1999
Article: Opening the Way to Literacy
Southern Heart Beat, July 1999
Article: Honouring the Future, Respecting The Past
Mandeville Weekly, April 15, 1999
Article Senior Citizens Treated By The Allen-Shaw Foundation/Marcus Garvey Youth Club
Mandeville Weekly, February 1999
Article "Marcus Garvey Club and Allen-Shaw Reading Room Honor Golden Age"
The Jamaican Observer, October 31, 1998
Article: Savanna-la-Mar High making strides
http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/
The Gleaner, January 16, 1997 (Editorial Comments)
JBC Television (Video Tape Available)
Programs: Morning Time-December 23, 1996
A Ray Of Hope-December 26, 1996
Mandeville Weekly, December 19, 1996
Article: “New Innovative Library in South Manchester”

The Allen Shaw Readings Rooms need your Financial Support. Great things are happening for our children in Jamaica. Help us keep the momentum going!!!!

Allen-Shaw Reading Room
Resource District, Jamaica, West Indies
Building Project for Second Level to begin early 2003

For more information call:

The Allen-Shaw Foundation, Inc. at (718) 379-4232 or E-mail: allenshawfoundation@yahoo.com

Jamaica Non-Profit Organizations

Fri, 26 Mar 2004 17:00:00 UT

Below is a list of Not for Profit organizations helping Jamaica and Jamaicans. If you would like to get your organization listed please email us. Each month we feature a different Organization.

Jamaican Non Profit Organizations in NY

Fri, 26 Mar 2004 17:00:00 UT

Clarendon College Alumni Assn.
180 East 17th Street
Brooklyn, NY 11226
Committee for the Economic Redevelopment of Jamaica
BMCC 199 Chambers Street, Room N610
New York, NY 10007

Cornwall College Alumni Assn.
201-05 Murdock Avenue
St. Albans, Queens, NY 11412

Dinthill Technical High School Alumni Assn. (USA) Inc.
P.O. Box 924 Peck Slip Station
New York, NY 10272

Friends of Needy Children of Jamaica
973 E. 56th Street
Brooklyn, NY 11234

Friends of West Portland
P.O. Box 130188
Springfield Gardens, NY 11413

Jamaica Alumni Assn.
66 Leanard Street, 9th Floor
New York, NY 10013

Jamaica Foundation
259 Kennedy Avenue
Hempstead, NY 11550

Jamaica Freedom League
45-14 158th Street
Flushing, NY 11358

Jamaica National Guild
P.O. Box 162 Breeveport Station
Brooklyn, NY

Jamaica North America Society
1006 Arnow Avenue
Bronx, NY 10459

Jamaica Progressive League, New York, Inc.
22230 Light Street
Bronx, NY 10466

Jamaica United Youth Support
116-08 168th Street
Rochdale, NY 11434

Jamaica West Indies Nurses' Assn. Group, Inc.
P.O. Box 12
Poughkeepsie, NY 12602

Kingston College Old Boy's Assn.
659 Flatbush Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11225

U.J.A.A. USA
66 Leonard Street, 9th Floor
New York, NY 10013

Shortwood Teachers College Alumni
22 Buckinham Street
Brooklyn, NY 11226

St. Andrew Alumni Assn.
221-36 Murdock Avenue
Queens Village, NY 11429

The Jamaica Benevolent Assn. Inc.
141 W. 119th Street
New York, NY 10026

The Jamaica Nurses Group of NY, Inc.
1781 Brooklyn Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11210

The Union of Jamaican Alumni Assn. USA, Inc.
2320 Foster Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11210

U.W.I. Guild Of Graduates
2138 Oakwood Place
Elmont, NY 11003

Vision for the Children of Jamaica, Inc.
1838 W. Seamans Neck Road
Seaford, NY 11783

Voices of Jamaica
28 Gusto Lane
Roosevelt, NY 11575

Wolmer's High Alumni Assn.
P.O. Box 1910
Brooklyn, NY 11201

National Association of Jamaican and Supportive Organizations (NAJASO)
E-mail: webmaster@najaso.org

Help Jamaican Children with Project CeLEBRATIONS:

Fri, 26 Mar 2004 17:00:00 UT

Paul Andrew Dawkins, a Jamaican living in Fayetteville, North Carolina, and founder and director of a ten-year-old non-profit, child-advocacy organization, The Paul Andrew Dawkins Children's Project, Inc., is in the process of compiling and publishing a series of 34 books titled CeLEBRATIONS to be sold on an international basis to benefit projects and programs of his organization that will, in turn, benefit children here in the USA, Jamaica and other countries around the world.

Dawkins, who published an anthology of poetry, "Only the Strong Survive", in Jamaica in the very early 80's, has appeared on Jamaican radio and television programs such as Expressions (with Leone Forbes Amiel) and RJR and JBC radio programs. In 1979, while a student at St. Jago High School, Dawkins presented then Jamaican first lady, Beverly Manley, with a bound copy of his anthology of poetry.

Dawkins was published in ESSENCE magazine in October 1999 and has appeared on BET Tonight with Tavis Smiley.

Dawkins published 4 books in 1998, two of which feature introductions by Mark Victor Hansen, co-author of the New York Times international best-selling series, Chicken Soup for the Soul, as well as by LeVar Burton, star of television shows like ROOTS, STAR TREK and PBS' Reading Rainbow.

Jamaicans [and others] across the USA, in Jamaica and around the world are being invited to submit letters written to and celebrating loved ones for inclusion in the CeLEBRATIONS series books that Dawkins is currently compiling for publication towards the end of 2001 or early 2002.

Titles in this series will include:
[1] CeLEBRATIONS - notes to my mother

[2] CeLEBRATIONS - notes to my father

[3] CeLEBRATIONS-notes to my son

[4] CeLEBRATIONS-notes to my valentine, etc.

Profits from the books will endow Dawkins' organization and its' various projects and programs aimed at making life better for children on a number of levels.

He plans to provide full scholarships, through The Dawkins Teaching Scholars Program, to young people in Jamaica who wish to teach and who have the potential to become dynamic, effective, compassionate educators. This program was launched in Fayetteville, North Carolina, in May 2000.

What will make this scholarship program different is that he plans to provide career-long support to each scholarship recipient for as long as he or she remains in teaching and remains an effective educator. Another project of his organization is The Special Fund. This was launched in 1998 and seeks to help parents of chronically-ill children who are having problems meeting the cost of their medical care. This will be expanded to help children in Jamaica as well.

Plans are also in place to donate funds to help with research into finding cures and treatments for illnesses that affect children through this fund. Those whose letters are accepted for inclusion in this series of CeLEBRATIONS books will receive $25 for each letter accepted. Those who are interested in submitting letters should also be prepared to include a photo of themselves, as well as a photo of each person they are writing about, if the letters submitted are accepted for publication. [Don't send photos with the letters, please! Wait until the letter(s) have been accepted.] The format of the books makes the inclusion of photos a must.

For a complete list of titles in this series, and for full guidelines on submitting letters for inclusion in this series of books, please e-mail Dawkins at celebrationsseries@yahoo.com, or paulandrewdawkins@yahoo.com.

You can also reach Dawkins at 910/488-3953, by regular mail at 1531 Palmer Drive, Fayetteville, NC 28303-3038, or by voice-to-email at 1-800-699-2466 [box# 910/488-3953].