Monthly Archives: February 2025

Photo Caption: Martin Gooden, a dedicated volunteer addresses members of the JN Circle.

Martin Gooden, a dedicated volunteer with more than 45 years of service to the Jamaica Red Cross, highlighted the transformative power of volunteerism during a recent JN Circle event at the ROK Hotel in Kingston.

Speaking under the theme “The Gift of Community: Reflecting on a Year of Success,” he urged attendees to embrace the values of compassion, resilience, and lifelong learning to create positive change in their communities.

“By embodying compassion, resilience, and a commitment to lifelong learning, volunteers can transform lives and strengthen communities,” Mr Gooden affirmed.

In his address, Mr Gooden outlined the core traits of exceptional volunteers, emphasising empathy, adaptability, effective communication, integrity, and teamwork.

“At the heart of exceptional volunteering lies profound empathy,” he said. “Remarkable volunteers connect deeply with the causes they serve, extending kindness and understanding to create meaningful, lasting change.”

Flexibility, he added, is essential for overcoming challenges. “Volunteering often demands adaptability. Embrace the unexpected, adjust to changing circumstances, and maintain a steady focus on the goal,” he advised.

Mr Gooden, a consultant at JN Money Services Limited, inspired the gathering of JN Circle chapters by reminding them that their efforts do not only transform communities, but also empower personal growth.

“By embracing the qualities of exceptional volunteers, we can truly change the world, one act of service at a time,” he said.

In addition to his motivational charge, Mr Gooden commended the JN Circle network for its impressive contributions in 2024. The group, supported by the JN Foundation, received approval for 13 community projects through 10 chapters across Jamaica. Each project was funded with grants of up to $1.5 million.

Omar Wright, Lead for Environment and Community Development at the JN Foundation, applauded the JN Circle chapters across the country and overseas for their dedication.

“Your impactful projects, such as furnishing the Port Antonio Women’s Centre, installing a solar system at the Candle in Dark shelter, and the equipping of a computer lab and upgrading of a playground by JN Circle Morant Bay for the St Thomas Parish Library and Chapel Hill Basic School respectively, exemplify the power of collective action in transforming communities” he stated.

Meanwhile, other projects included the upgrading of play areas for basic schools by the JN Circle Westmoreland, Santa Cruz and Gayle, Ocho Rios and St Mary, a rainwater harvesting system and Ferncourt High School and introducing a reading programme in Alligator Pond,

Shana-Lee Coley Smith, a representative of the St Thomas Parish Library, highlighted the significant impact the refurbishment of the computer lab has had on the institution.

“Since the donation, the computer lab is constantly filled with library users completing assignments, browsing social networking sites, and accessing job resources. Most importantly, we restarted the basic computer training session for seniors, with 11 participants beginning training in November 2024,” she shared.

The JN Circle is a global network of JN members and customers who leverage the JN Group’s resources to serve as advocates and community change agents. With 17 chapters spanning all 14 parishes and active groups in Toronto, Canada, and London, England, the JN Circle continues to make meaningful contributions to community development.

Photo Caption: Claudine Allen (left), General Manager of the JN Foundation, helps a student of Chapel Hill Basic School enjoy the seesaw, as Norman Hinds, President of the JN Circle Morant Bay chapter, and Nina Peters, Business Relationship and Sales Manager at JN Bank, look on with smiles.

Several studies have emphasised that play is an essential part of a child’s cognitive, social, and physical development. In recognition of this important aspect of childhood development and its commitment to early childhood education, the JN Foundation, through the JN Circle Morant Bay chapter, recently established the first-ever playground at Chapel Hill Basic School in its 60 years of existence.

Chapel Hill Basic School has nurtured some prominent Jamaicans over its 60-year history, including 2020 Olympic Gold medallist over the 110-metre hurdles, Hansle Parchment.

Principal, Nadine Richards-Gowie, expressed gratitude for the donation, highlighting the impact on students’ learning experiences.

 “The children now have a secure area to play and [the] play equipment will enhance coordination and the development of muscles,” she noted. The school currently accommodates 42 students and is staffed by three teachers.

Norman Hinds, president of the JN Circle Morant Bay chapter, underscored the necessity of the initiative.

“We selected this project because we saw the need for the children to have a play area to engage in more activities that contribute to their development,” he said.

The playground features a variety of equipment, including swings, a slide, and monkey bars, all designed to support the physical and cognitive growth of the students. Hinds noted that the project has been met with enthusiasm from both the school and the community.

“My members are elated and happy to have [undertaken] the project for this school. Now that it has become a reality, we are feeling joyful, happy, and glad,” he added.

Mr Hinds also highlighted the school’s importance to the local community and reiterated the value of the initiative.

“We are proud to contribute to the children’s growth and development, ensuring they have access to facilities that enrich their learning experience.”

General Manager of the JN Foundation, Claudine Allen, also welcomed the opportunity to enrich the lives of the children.

“It is indeed a pleasure to share in an important part of the experience of every child who learns at Chapel Hill Basic School,” she remarked. “Play is an essential part of children’s growth, aiding in the development of motor skills, cooperation, and cognitive abilities. Having safe facilities for children to play in is critical in every early childhood education institution.”

Ms Allen also acknowledged the role of the church in supporting education in Jamaica, commending its longstanding commitment to nurturing young minds.

She also expressed hope that as the government continues to implement standards for safe play areas, more schools will benefit from similar facilities.

“Chapel Hill Basic School is now ahead of many other institutions, and we dream with you that one day, what you have will become the standard nationwide,” Miss Allen said. She noted that Global Schools Play Day is recognised annually in February, with February the 5th celebrated by UNICEF and Ministry of Education, Youth, and Information as Play Day JA.

Mrs Richards-Gowie is confident that the new play area will positively impact the school by attracting more interest from parents and ensuring students develop essential motor skills and socialization skills.

“Playing is an important part of children’s lives, and with this development, parents can be assured that their children are receiving holistic growth,” she said.

Photo Caption: Sydoney Preddie (second right), Lead for Youth and Education Programmes at the JN Foundation presents a gift to Jaison McIntosh (centre) after making a courtesy call on the JN Foundation team. Sharing in the moment are his parents, Garnet (right) and Patrice Neil-McIntosh and his brother, Justin (left).

Seventeen-year-old Jaison McIntosh, a recent graduate of Westlake High School in Thornwood, New York, and a second-generation Jamaican by birth, is overjoyed after recently winning the Union of Jamaican Alumni Associations (UJAA) High School Graduate Awards and Essay Competition.

Organised by UJAA, the competition celebrates Jamaican heritage and is open to US high school seniors of Jamaican descent. Now in its 35th year, the competition aims to inspire students to share their perspectives and personal experiences with different cultures. The prize, a trip to Jamaica, offers winners an opportunity to deepen their connection to Jamaican life and culture.

Jaison, who is now attending the State University of New York at Albany and majoring in accounting with an interest in finance, credited his mother for encouraging him to enter the competition.

“My mom brought up the idea, and at first, I was hesitant because I didn’t really want to write an essay. But she kept advocating, saying it was a great opportunity, and I should take advantage of it,” he shared.

His efforts paid off when he was announced as one of the top prize winners, earning two tickets to Jamaica.

“My heart was beating as they read the names. I thought maybe I didn’t win anything. Then, they got to the two tickets to Jamaica, and I heard my name. It was so exciting—we were all screaming, and my mike was still on, so they could hear everything!” he recalled.

While in Jamaica, Jaison made a courtesy visit to the JN Foundation team, who congratulated him on his achievement. The JN Foundation, which focuses on youth, education, and the Diaspora, has supported UJAA for many years, providing winners with opportunities to engage with Jamaican professionals and gain exposure to the country’s business sector.

Chevanese Peters, Project Coordinator at the JN Foundation, encouraged Jaison to keep his options open as he pursues his interests in music and finance.

“You can focus on one or all; you have the benefit of youth. But set your foundation right, as that provides security and the freedom to make choices later,” she advised.

Sydoney Preddie, Lead for Youth and Education Programmes at the JN Foundation, also offered Jaison advice, emphasising patience.

“By your final year of study, you gain greater clarity as you prepare to enter your professional field, as you’ll be more mature and better equipped to make decisions about your career path,” she said.

For Jaison, returning to Jamaica was a fantastic experience. His parents, Garnet and Patrice Neil-McIntosh, both Jamaicans, were equally proud of their son.

During the meeting, Jason passionately expressed his deep love for Jamaica, recounting his experiences both in Jamaica and abroad as a proud Jamaican descendant. His reflections painted a vivid picture of his connection to his heritage, highlighting the cultural influences such as Reggae music that have shaped his journey. He also shared that he was documenting his visit with his camera.

Jaison’s accomplishments extend beyond the essay competition. At Westlake High School, he excelled academically, taking courses in statistics, pre-calculus, biology, U.S. history, government, and macroeconomics. He was a member of the National Honor Society and the Spanish Honor Society, and his extracurricular activities included the Spanish Club, Stage Crew, Jazz Band, Math Club, and participation on the Lacrosse and Football teams.

Reflecting on his heritage, Jaison encouraged other Jamaican students to participate in the competition.

“Just write about your experiences, what you grew up with, and your culture. Be yourself and write about yourself,” he advised.

The UJAA, a non-profit umbrella organisation representing more than 60 alumni associations of Jamaican schools and other educational institutions, continues to foster connections among students of Jamaican heritage through initiatives like this competition.