The UWI Mona Source

Inspiring, Revolutionary, Innovating: these are the words that come to mind when you step inside The Source August Town. The community resource facility provides a space that is completely free of bias and stereotypes. There’s even a “chill out zone” where you can just kick-back and read a book on almost any topic from The Source’s reference library. The Source August Town was created by the JNBS Foundation and built on the idea that access to technology and business services should exist within the heart of a community, no matter where it is. The Source breaks new frontiers and challenges the preconceived notion that social businesses aren’t possible in inner city communities. Piloted in August Town and funded by Jamaica National Building Society, The Source model is simple, elegant and effective. It provides recreation, access to technology, business services and entrepreneurship all from the sale of services that in turn provide and pay for social services and social improvements in the community. The social impact was seen even before the source was built. The community owned the idea from its conception, turning out in numbers to provide their equity in sweat and ideas during community consultations and workdays to paint the centre. They also assisted with labour during the construction phase. Every service The Source provides was based on an idea from the community. The Source model was also designed to fit and adapt to each and every community. Residents decide The Source’s hours of operation and menu of services, so it serves them. These services can be removed or new services added as the needs of the community change. The Source is managed by the JNBS Foundation and stands out as an innovation in social and community development. Its mantra: “Taking development from thought to ACT!ON”, is demonstrated by its existence and survival in the violence-plagued community for over two years. The Source remains a symbol of community pride and hope in August Town.

JN Foundation hands the Source over to the UWI Township Project

On August 9, 2011, after four years under the management of JNBS Foundation, The Source August Town was handed over to the UWI Mona and re-named The UWI Mona Source.

The overwhelming success of the August Town Centre allowed JNBS to replicate the social enterprise franshise and provide residents of other communities with similar access to business and social services, starting in 2008. The Source exists in Maverly, St. Andrew; Ocho Rios, St. Ann and Treasure Beach, St. Elizabeth and the fifth centre in the chain is set to be opened later this year, in Savanna-la-Mar, Westmoreland.

The August Town centre is the third centre to be handed over to its civic partner. Both the Ocho Rios and Maverly centres were earlier this year, handed over to the St. Ann Chamber of Commerce and the Maverly Consultative Committee, respectively.

SOCIAL/ BUSINESS PROGRAMMES AND PARTNERS

Business Incubation

You can sign up for Cable services at the Source CRC August Town. Kerrisha Minott, a young entrepreneur, has received a sub contract from Telstar Cable Company to distribute cable television and related services within the area and has decided to incubate her small business at the Source. She started in December and has a lease from the Source. She is currently doing registration and the Source is abuzz with residents excited about having the ease of set-up and payment for cable services right inside their community.

Employment Readiness

The Source also partnered with the University of the West Indies Township Programme to facilitate employment readiness and job placement in July 2008. Over 30 residents were placed in jobs in the Kingston Metropolitan Region.

Access to Business Support Services

The Jamaica Business Information Centre is another major partner of the Source CRC programme. The goal of JAMBIC is to “promote Jamaica’s economy through the development of products and services that encourage entrepreneurship and support business growth.” JAMBIC provides support for entrepreneurs at every level: those thinking about business, starting a business and those who want to grow their business. JAMBIC has its own office inside the UWI Mona Source August Town.

Access to Business and Social Services

Over 130 persons have applied for small business loans through the Source CRC and 85 of these have already been approved and dispersed. The Source is an important point of contact for residents who want letters of recommendation done, resumes typed, documents faxed and documents received from overseas. Companies such as the Kingston Restoration Company (KRC), Citizens Security & Justice Programme, The Peace Management Initiative and Heart have all used the Source’s Conference Room and meeting facilities. Local community organisations and groups also meet at the Source from time to time to plan community project or social events.