THE JPS FOUNDATION
A PUBLICATION OF THE JPS FOUNDATION
NO. 4
APRIL 2014
WWW.MYJPSFOUNDATION.ORG
REGION WEST AIMS TO RAISE J$200,000 FOR MODEL SCHOOL PAGE 3
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Contact us: 935-3514/935-3513. foundation@jpsco.com. facebook.com/myjpsfoundationja. twitter.com/myjpsfoundation
2. EMPLOYEE GIVING
J$1M STRONG
A
EMPLOYEE GIVING POWERS JPS FOUNDATION PROJECTS DONATIONS VALUED at B $J1million from JPS employees since August 2013 have enabled the charitable arm to positively impact lives across Jamaica in Education, Youth Leadership, Community Development and Energy. C JPS Foundation Employee The Giving Campaign sees employees contributing monetarily through Fundraisers, Personal Contributions and Salary Deductions. It is a year-round effort involving staff in JPS’ 15-branch islandwide network and had its official D launch at a Games Night held in December 2013 at the JPS Sports Club. An exciting Employee Giving activity is now in its final stages in Region West. Initiated by Community Relations Officer, Allaine E Harvey in January, the region was challenged to raise
J$200,000 towards funding electrical renovations at the Falmouth Gardens Basic School, a JPS Foundation Model School project located in Trelawny. JPS Foundation Manager, Nathelie Taylor, shares that “team members’ giving of time, talent and, significantly, treasures is helping to fuel the Foundation’s impact. J$1m in employee giving is a remarkable milestone which helps us to honour our commitment to projects that will improve lives and strengthen communities.” She further highlighted that “the JPS Employee Giving campaign goes beyond galvanising support for the Foundation’s projects. It is also concerned with engaging our team members and helping them realise their own personal philanthropic desires.”
CAUSE: TARGET: TIMELINE:
Volunteering and Giving opportunities are everywhere around you. Here are a few which might interest you: THE RE-BIRTH PROJECT TWENTY-FIVE young residents of volatile Kingston communities are benefitting from the ‘Rebirth Project’ aimed at assisting ‘at risk’ students between the ages of 13 and 14. The first group of 25 students identified for the programme are from Tivoli and Norman Manley High Schools. The programme, co-sponsored by JPS, will feature eight workshops, held fortnightly on Saturdays, 10:00 am - 1:00 pm from March 8 - June 14, 2014. You are invited to work as Volunteers to assist workshop presenters, monitor students, encourage participation and assist the organising team. Volunteer Teachers The Women's Resource & Outreach Centre (WROC) is in need of volunteer IT teachers for its computer classes, commencing April 2014. Classes will be held Mondays and Thursdays 5:00 pm -7:00 pm for eight weeks. A small stipend will be available for volunteer teachers. If interested, contact the National Volunteer Centre at 906-0065.
CAUSE: TARGET: TIMELINE:
ADJUSTABLE BED J$200,000.00 APRIL 25, 2014
St. Elizabeth resident, 91-year-old Elorine Parchment, suffered a broken hip. She still moves around a bit, but suffers greatest discomfort when she lays on her present bed, so an adjustable bed would greatly assist her.
FIRE VICTIM ASSISTANCE — MATTRESS, CLOTHING etc. J$40,000.00 APRIL 25, 2014
On March 15, a fire partially destroyed the home of Mrs. Joan WilliamsThompson, a mother of five who resides in Wain Road, Portland. Among her losses were a mattress, bed linen, curtains and clothing. She would also like blue-coloured paint to repaint her room which got burnt.
For further information on these and other opportunities to volunteer/give, please contact the JPS Foundation at 935-3513/3514
3. EMPLOYEE GIVING
REGION WEST AIMS TO RAISE J$200,000 FOR MODEL SCHOOL IN JANUARY 2014, Community Relations Officer for Region West, Allaine Harvey, issued a challenge to his team. Each parish was to raise J$50,000 or more towards the electrical renovation of the Trelawnybased Falmouth Gardens Basic School as per standards set by the Early Childhood Commission and the JPS Foundation’s commitment. Spurred by pride that they could have a hand in helping the Foundation’s Model School in their region, team members enthusiastically accepted the challenge and immediately began thinking of creative ways of raising the set amount. The results to date have been outstanding! Each parish did all they could to meet and exceed the minimum parish limit of J$50,000 and the competition continues to generate friendly rivalry amongst team members in the respective parishes. The amounts raised will be announced in a grand reveal function at the end of April. For more details on what was done and/or upcoming plans, please read below the parish icons.
FUNDRAISER: On March 3, the St. Ann team held a Fish Fry, topped off with a Cake sale.
FUNDRAISER: A Luncheon on February 27 and a Fish Fry the following day was Westmoreland’s first effort. The team will flip that profit when they host another Fish Fry on April 17.
FUNDRAISER: Trelawny team members delighted in a one–month Pastry sale during March 2014.
FUNDRAISER: FUNDRAISER: A Cake sale in early April was Hanover’s first fundraiser. Also, a raffle was conducted and the grand draw will take place on April 11 at the parish office. Up for grabs are a 32 inch TV, a BB Z10 phone and a Microwave.
St. James engaged its team members with a showing of the action adventure flick, ‘47 Ronin’ at a Movie Night on April 3.
4. EMPLOYEE GIVING
HIGH VOLTage: “ GIVING — IT’S ABOUT MAKING A CHANGE” DEOMAR MANNING is known to many in JPS as a pleasant young man who cares for the well-being of others. The Customer Care representative strongly believes in giving back, so much so that he volunteered to be one of two JPS Foundation Parish Liaisons for the KSAS area. Here, he shares his views on Volunteerism in ‘High VOLTage’. We hope you will be A as much as we have inspired been.
Here, the affable DeOmar strikes a disarming pose. Below, he gives his heart to a child at the Rennock Lodge Basic School.
“Giving back and Volunteering is by no means a waste of time; it’s having the opportunity of making a long lasting impact in a person’s life or in your community.”
What is your philosophy on Giving and Volunteerism? Elizabeth Berg once said “there is incredible value in being of serviceBto others.” Giving back and volunteering is by no means a waste of time; it’s having the opportunity of making a long lasting impact in a person’s life or your community. It can be as simple as giving back time, financial Csupport or even basic needed items to the less fortunate; it’s really not about expecting something in return, but making a change. Share a memorable moment when you volunteered I can recount my first time giving D I was a member of the back. Optimist Club at my prep school, and we visited a children’s home in Kingston. There I met a few children who were less fortunate than I was. I was very moved by theirE situation. I played with them, read to them and fed them, and for that time I felt fulfilled. Seeing the joy on their faces and knowing that I helped to make their day, made me feel whole. At that point I decided that any opportunity I had to F volunteer or help I would. What do you think of the JPS Foundation? Building the foundation of Jamaica with our Foundation is just simply being brilliant at the
basics. For instance, it is great that we are helping basic schools to develop, by giving our tiny tots the opportunity to express themselves from a young age. Also to see that we took it a step further to help persons who are less fortunate and having difficulty with their energy usage due to inefficient equipment is very commendable. Do you engage in community service outside of JPS? I don’t get the opportunity to volunteer outside of JPS, where I am a proud ambassador; however I have recently spoken
to the president of a non-profit organisation which I intend on joining so that I will be able to continue giving back to the community or Jamaica. Why would you encourage others to volunteer? I encourage others to volunteer as it does assist in self-fulfilment, personal growth and boosts selfesteem. Giving back to your company or community allows you to know that you’re a part of a worthy cause. I believe the best person to develop a community, a company or a country are the persons who reside there.
“Giving back is not about expecting something in return, but making a change… Giving back to your company or community allows you to know that you’re a part of a worthy cause.”
5. YOUTH LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT
HOW TO ‘INSPIRE CHANGE’ PARTICIPANTS IN the JPS Foundation Young Women Leaders (YWL) Programme called upon their leadership strengths to help ‘Inspire Change’ in the lives of the teen residents of the Wortley Home for Girls on International Women Day (IWD), Saturday March 8, 2014. The Foundation partnered with Dr. Veronica Reid, owner of Beautiful Earth Salon who also treated the residents to her original beauty products. By sharing their own personal struggles and accomplishments, the YWL ladies — Shana-Kay Cunningham, Kemesha Vassell and Angelique Gardener (Alshadane Wright was unable to make it) — helped the residents see beyond their present circumstances to envision a future bright with possibilities. The ladies then huddled with groups of residents to explore the topic of ‘Inspiring Change’, a session which allowed the young girls to express their fears and desires and be supported .
Located on Constant Spring Road, The Wortley Home was established in 1918 to provide a home for girls aged seven to 18 years who come from a variety of home situations. Some are orphans, some have been abused while others are from homes too poor to care for them properly. This outreach was the first of three scheduled community engagements for the YWL participants who have so far been engaged in three development sessions with leading female experts across various sectors. Inspiring Change was the 2014 theme for IWD, a global hub that encourages advocacy for women's advancement everywhere, in every way. It calls for challenging the status quo for women's equality and vigilance inspiring positive change. Each year IWD is celebrated on March 8 and highlights the social, political and economic achievements of women while focusing world attention on areas requiring further action.
FROM TOP LEFT: Dr. Veronica Reid, Shana-Kay Cunningham, Kemesha Vassell and Angelique Gardener speak to the residents of the home on inspiring change in their and others’ lives.
6. EDUCATION
SAFETY BOOST FOR RENNOCK LODGE INFANT SCHOOL AS PART of its fulfilment to ensure safety at its Model School projects, the JPS Foundation has equipped two of its three schools with fire extinguishers. The Infant Department at the Rennock Lodge Basic School, was the latest to receive two extinguishers in early March. In addition to the handover of the extinguishers, Corporal Kwesi
JPS SUPPORTS READING The Social Development Commission (SDC), in collaboration with the Gibraltar Development Area Committee, recently hosted a reading competition to improve literacy in four schools in St Ann. "JPS is excited to be a part of this," Janice Carr, acting parish manager for JPS in St Ann said, adding that through reading persons can reach their full potential. Go team St. Ann! CAPTION The top three readers (from second left) Jalani Yorke, third-place finisher; champion Kristine Williams and second-placed finisher Amahni Campbell share a moment with (from left), Community Relations Officer, Daffodil Bruce-Miller; Customer Care representative, Jhamar Palmer; Customer Care Manager, Kirsten Pederson and Acting Parish Manager at JPS St. Ann, Janice Carr (right).
Osborne of the Kingston Mall Fire Department also presented on fire prevention and safety methods to a responsive audience. JPS Parish Manager for Kingston & St. Andrew, South, Phillip Jarrett (right) made the presentation to the school’s PTA President, Mrs. Bridgette Wesney-Day (left), and Principal Mrs. Jacqueline Lewis.
7. YOUTH LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT
PROFESSOR VERENE Shepherd is a renowned and respected leader on gender issues, with a long association with the women’s movement in Jamaica. But, this powerful voice was often challenged to be silent during her formative years as a scholar and young professional. Now the Director of the Institute for Gender & Development Studies and Professor of Social History at the
University of the West Indies, Mona, she gladly shared her life lessons with the participants in the JPS Foundation Leadership Academy — Young Women Leaders programme during their third developmental session for 2014. She recounted moments when she was told that she wouldn’t achieve much more than she already had and actually faced direct opposition to accessing higher positions in her career.
But discounting the naysayers, she has been able to rise to become a soughtafter expert in her field. During her stimulating presentation, she urged the ladies to “believe in yourselves and do not let tradition handicap you. Prepare for leadership roles and see female leadership as normal in all spheres of life.” The session was also attended by several female leaders in JPS.
Professor Shepherd addresses (from left), JPS Head, Customer Service, Gina Tomlinson; YWL participants, Shana-Kay Cunningham and Kemesha Vassell and Talent Manager, Paula Atkinson.
8 TIPS FROM POWERFUL FEMALES HIRE SMART BE YOURSELF
BE DISCIPLINED
BE COURAGEOUS
MANAGE YOUR CAREER
SHOW EMOTION
LEARN TO DELEGATE
TAKE CALCULATED, NOT RECKLESS RISKS
DEAN’S LIST AWARDEE! Participant in the JPS Foundation Young Women Leaders Programme, Kemesha Vassell (right), an Engineering major at the University of Technology, was named to the Dean’s List for her impressive academic achievements. Here she poses with Dean for the School of Engineering, Dr. Nilza Smith, following the awards ceremony on Tuesday March 18, 2014. In addition to sterling academic feats, Kemesha is also Treasurer for the Association of Chemical Engineering Students (AChemEs) and volunteers at the Percy Junior Hospital and University Hospital of the West Indies. Congrats Kemesha and keep up the good work!
8. EDUCATION
ROCQUE FERGUSON COPS EWP/JPS FOUNDATION POSTGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP ROCQUE FERGUSON, a Community Mobiliser with the Ministry of National Security’s Citizen Security and Justice Programme (CSJP), is the recipient of the EWP/JPS Foundation’s latest postgraduate scholarship offer to pursue a Master’s degree in Korea. An August Town native, Rocque will begin her two-year Global Master’s in Public Administration at the Seoul National University in Korea in August 2014. The scholarship was offered as part of EWP’s continued support for access to advanced education and aligns with the JPS Foundation’s focus on developing the capacities of youth leaders. The 26-year-old will benefit from a programme which is designed to train globally smart leaders among public officials in developing countries to take the lead of economic and social development. She holds a BSc. in Computing which she applies in her development work through the CSJP. This scholarship will further enhance her other capabilities, which include training in research methods, community development theories and violence prevention.
Rocque joyfully explains that “winning this scholarship means everything to me. I prayed a lot for this opportunity and I am grateful to the JPS Foundation and EWP for selecting me from so many others to represent them and the country as I undertake this programme.”
“I want to pursue this Master’s in Public Administration in Korea because I want to understand the process that has helped Korea transition from being a poor country to now becoming a developed country, and apply that to Jamaica. This opportunity is invaluable and makes me more committed to lead change as a public FOR COMMUNITY AND COUNTRY servant,” she adds. But Rocque isn’t pursuing this for herself Highlighting that there was high quality alone. She is carrying her entire communi- response to the scholarship offer, JPS ty and country on her journey. Foundation Manager, Nathelie Taylor, “I was born in the conflict and disorder shares that the selection panel was that has defined my community as one of “particularly impressed by Rocque’s the most reviled places to live in Kingston. intimate understanding of and deep I am a product of Goldsmith Villa or commitment to public service and her ‘Angola’ as it’s called and from an early Involvement in the area of community and age I was taught that the only way to make national development.” the community better was to get involved This is the second scholarship offered by in positive things. It is therefore my goal the EWP/JPS Foundation which has placed to develop August Town into the place of Jamaicans in postgraduate studies in choice to live.” Korea. Presently Gavin Myers and Leon “Serving the community, whether Samms, the first two recipients who left personally or professionally is my passion. the island in late February, are studying I am energised to go into communities and Master’s programmes at Yeungnam implement programmes that can make a University’s Department of New direct impact on improving the individual, Community Project and International family and community.” Development Department.
“I was born in the conflict and disorder that has defined my community… but my goal is to develop August Town into the place of choice to live... I am committed to lead change as a public servant.”
9. YOUTH LEADERSHIP
UNIVERSITY OF the West Indies student, Sherry Perrier, has recently returned from an enlightening trip to Germany where she attended the World Business Dialogue in Cologne. The theme ‘Disruptive Innovations’ was discussed within workshops and panel-discussions. The dialogue focused on how disruptive innovation and modern technology will affect global business models and companies and was addressed by prominent speakers such as top German CEO Dr. Rüdiger Grube (Deutsche Bahn AG), Silicon Valley Expert Pascal Finette (Google Giving) and Allen Wirfs-Brock (Mozilla Corporation). The JPS Foundation helped facilitate Sherry’s attendance through a contribution of US$1,500. If Sherry looks familiar to those who follow the local business and finance sector, that is because the future financier is the first female to have won the ‘Owen James Young Investors Stock Market Competition' in 2012 and she also co-hosted the widely-viewed Investment Quiz on James’ personal financial programme, ‘On A Personal Note’ on CVM TV. This latest activity tops a long list of accomplishments that include multiple awards for scholastic excellence and community service. According to the 21-year-old Banking and Finance major, “it was indeed an honour to represent Jamaica and The University of the West Indies among the 300 international delegates from 65 nations at the 17th World Business Dialogue hosted by the University of Cologne.” “Attending the 17th World Business Dialogue has not only opened doors to my international career, but also opened my eyes to future global opportunities, new cultures, and international perspectives. The World Business Dialogue was an awesome cultural and intellectually rewarding experience. I look forward to sharing business ideas and proposals in the near future.”
SHERRY’S MOMENTS: Clockwise from bottom left: - Sherry at the conference. - Sherry reps for Jamaica. - The Cologne Cathedral Tower forms an impressive backdrop for Sherry.
10. YOUTH LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT
FROM KOREA, WITH LOVE SPRING IS in bloom in Korea, providing a beautiful backdrop to the city and a reassuring ambiance to calm the nerves of Gavin Myers and Leon Samms who are pursuing advanced studies at the Yeungnam University. Myers and Samms received full scholarships from the EWP, in partnership with the JPS Foundation, to study at the Master’s level at the institution. “Fun and challenging” is how Gavin describes the first month in this new coun-
try. “Classes have been going well and we are settling into a rhythm already.” Daegu is a melting pot of cultures, with the Yeungnam University hosting many nationalities. As such, they have made friends with students from across the globe; but they are especially looking forward to meeting Rocque Ferguson when she starts her own Korean scholarship journey in August. They add that the food is good and the interaction has been excellent.
“We arrived in the cold but we are acclimatising. It’s spring time now so it’s quite beautiful. Really grateful to be here,” says Leon. “Definitely not Jamaica, but is fascinating seeing the campus (which is huge!) and the gruelling schedule facing us,” adds Gavin. “Learning the language is a prime focus for us and keeping ahead of the readings and assignments. We have even had pop quizzes and assignments already!”
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