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INNOVATINGINSPIRINGIMPACTING

IN THIS ISSUEJN Fund Managers shape next 2generation of entrepreneursJN Members in Act!on 3JN Montego Bay Branch 4reaches outJAA to introduce road safety 5Clubs in SchoolsCaPRI seeks to bolster 5Renewable energy sectorJamaicans in the UK reach out 6Resolution Project Competition 6The word on e-street 7

Social Investment brings 7miracle for sick MomSocial Enterprise Boost Initiative 8The Act behind the Act!on 8Applying to the JN Foundation 8

JN Foundation32 1/2 Duke Street, Kingston CSOPhone: 876 926 1344 Ext 4749Fax: 876 922 4777E mail: foundation@jnbs.comWebsite: www.jnfoundation.comFB: www.facebook.com/JNFoundation Twitter: http://twitter.com/JNFoundation

Act!on volunteers cater to the homeless in Down Town Kingston

JNBS Foundation’s Act!on volunteers came out in numbers to assist the National Council for the Voluntary and Social Services (NCVSS) with the execution of its Day of Care Initiative. The event, which was held in celebration of the United Nation’s (UN) National Volunteer Week, benefited more than 600 registered homeless

individuals. Participants received meals, health and social services provided through partnerships with the Poor Relief Department; the Kiwanis Club of North St. Andrew; Aglow Jamaica; the Diabetes Association of Jamaica, World Walk Foundation, the FISH Clinic, St. John’s Ambulance, the Medical Doctors’ Association and Children's First.

As part of the initiative, Act!on volunteers hosted a donation drive, and subsequently handed over items of clothing and shoes (for approximate 42 individuals) to the Poor Relief Centre.

In an effort to continue to cater to the needs of those less fortunate among us, the JN Foundation has partnered the Kingston Assemblies of Holiness to enhance its outreach programme at the Hanover Street Poor Relief Shelter. The partnership will facilitate the continuation of a weekly feeding programme which caters to 100 persons registered with the shelter; (ii) the staging of a Wellness and Recreational Clinic; and (iii) a donation drive to address some of the most critical needs of persons registered with the shelter.

AT LEFT: Act!on volunteer Denise Lindsay, helps to sort items clothing for some 600 homeless individuals at the Council for Voluntary Social Services’ (CVSS) Day of Care Initiative held at the Sir William Grant Park in downtown Kingston recently.

JN Fund Managers helping to shape the next generation

of Entrepreneurs and Business leaders

Ms. Annette Clayton Baker (centre),VP of Marketing and Public Relations, JNFM, shares lens with students from JNFM funded schools at the JACE’s Annual General Meeting held on January 23, 2013

Through its partnership with the Jamaica Junior Achievement Company of Entrepreneurs (JACE) Jamaica, JNFM has provided support for 240 students from 10 high schools across the island (Ardenne, St. Hugh’s, Titchfield, Holmwood Technical, Kingston College, Calabar, Wolmer’s, St. Jago, Vere Technical, Herbert Morrison) to participate in the JACE’s High School Entrepreneurship Competition. As participants in the competition, students will receive hands-on training in the fundamentals of starting and managing a company, financial literacy, and workforce readiness skills.

In addition, in keeping with its focus workforce readiness, JNFM covered the cost for 100 students to obtained passports, and launched a blogging competition in a bid to chronicle and share the experiences of the students from its sponsored schools. Under the theme EMPOWERING YOUTHS TO ACHIEVE ECONOMIC SUCCESS, students are encouraged to utilize this platform to solicit help regarding the management and operation of their companies, as well as to share best practices. The blog, hosted at the JN Foundation’s website under the Youth & Education tab, is monitored by JNFM who responds to questions, and tries to help students come up with solutions, where possible, to the issues they face with the day to day operation of their respective companies.

JN Group in Act!on The JN Group of companies is strongly committed to investing in the communities we serve. As a socially responsible body, the JN Group is keen on investing in initiatives that are focused on improving lives, strengthening the fabric of our communities, and building a competitive workforce for the future.

ABOVE: Annette Clayton Baker, VP of Marketing and Public Relations JN Fund Managers Limited, explains the importance sound financial planning for business ventures to students from Holmwood and Herbert Morison Technical High Schools at the Junior Achievement Company of Entrepreneurs (JACE) Jamaica Annual General meeting held in January 2013.  

The chicken rearing project at B.B. Coke High School, in St. Elizabeth, is underway and parents, teachers and students are excited at the prospects that will come from this sustainable endeavour. With chicken being the main protein on the lunch ticket, the school is looking forward to the savings as well as earning potential to be gained now that they will be eating what they raised and selling the excess.

Principal, Ms. Evadney Legister, expressed her gratitude to Jamaica National Building Society (JNBS) saying that the Agriculture Department welcomes the hands-on experience and knowledge that students will get.

JNBS Branch Manager Mrs. Alethia Carpenter- Peart says she was pleased with the way in which the Members Advisory Council (MAC) gift was “well received,” as it fits in with the call for Jamaicans to eat what they grow and this she sees as a good start for children in the bed basket parish to start honing their skills in this viable venture.

MAC member Ms. Janet Linton, who was on hand for the handing over at the School’s Jamaica Day celebration, felt that the timing was right for such a project , now that agricultural production is back on the front burner.

B. B. Coke High School eating what they raise

JN Members in ACT!ONAcross the island, JNBS Members are choosing innovative community projects to support. Here are just a few!

MAC gives farmers tools for “competitive edge”, Savanna-la-Mar:

The Sheffield Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS) Branch will receive small tools & equipment, hybrid seeds & fertilizers as they embark on a quest to gain competitive advantage in the cash crop market with an injection of $150,000.00 which was handed over, recently, by the Jamaica National Building Society (JNBS) Members Advisory Council (MAC) Savanna-la-Mar Branch. Partnering with the Negril Area Environmental Protection Trust (NEPT) the farmers will be given training by the Rural Agricultural Development Agency (RADA) and JAS extension services to ensure best practices are utilized as they start their Spring/Summer planting.

Computers gift boost Cyber Centre

The donation of three computers to the Clan Carty High School by the Jamaica National Building Society (JNBS) Member Advisory Council (MAC), New Kingston Branch is being hailed as the resuscitation of the School’s Cyber Center.“It is our sincere belief that with the establishment of a fully equipped Cyber Center, the research skills of our students and members of the communities we serve will be enhanced. They will now have access to the global world and other information technology-related activities, said Principal Mrs. Hazel Cameron at the recent handing over ceremony at the School’ Deanery Road location. She further stated that the immediate effects will be seen as:• Students will have an advantage in academic performance• Students will have greater ease in completing their School Based Assessment (SBA) Projects for CSEC.• There will be a greater bond between this school and the Clan Carthy Primary School and residents of the neighbouring community.

Santa Cruz: Students at the Lacovia Early Childhood Institution, St. Elizabeth, are now getting hot, healthy meals daily now that the school’s kitchen is, once again, operational. Funding from the Jamaica National Building Society, Members Advisory Council were used to fix cupboards, install lighting fixtures and paint the area so that it could be given the green light to reopen.

Parents, teachers and students are happy that the students are eating meals prepared daily at the canteen Principal Ms. Joyspha Campbell stated, reminding the JNBS Team that her students save with JNBS.

Mrs. Brenda Johnston, MAC member noted that good nutrition is important, at this early stage in a child’s development if they are to learn and she is happy with the way the funds were used.

Hot, healthy meals for toddlers at Lacovia ECI

(L-R) JNBS Branch Manager, Alethia Carenter-Peart presents a cheque to B.B. Coke High School Chairman Aughuton; MAC Member Janet Linton and Principal, Evadney Ledgister to support the school’s chicken rearing project, with funding from the JNBS Foundation.

Churches, schools, community & service clubs, hospital, parenting centre, cultural groups are some of the sectors in St. James that have benefitted from the generosity of the Jamaica National Building Society (JNBS) Montego Bay Member Advisory Council (MAC) grant funding.

Ms. Shernett Callam, the effervescent JNBS Montego Bay Senior Branch Manager, credits this diversity to the team she has worked with over the years, “who were chosen, based on their skills set and community involvement,” she pointed out. “This,” she added, “ensure that they are usually the first off the post in identifying projects that they deemed are sustainable or beneficial to a wide cross section of the St. James community.”

The MAC, which is comprised of Jamaica National Members and employees, identifies and supports local community projects with funding from the JN Foundation.

Ms. Callam embraces the MAC and its work as “it feels good to be part of an organization that gives back and getting the members involved is great. We change the members so everyone, rich or poor, from different parts of St. James, will get a chance to serve. The MAC gets me closer to the members and this foster loyalty amongst them as they feel a part of the Society,” she stated.

Recalling the first MAC project, a drum set to the Montego Bay Boys & Girls Club, for their marching band, still brings excitement to Ms. Callam. “We were all so happy and even today, whenever I see them performing at civic functions with the JN logo branded on the instruments I feel so proud,” she said.

Mr. Molcary Robinson, the longest serving MAC committee member, credits the result-oriented leadership style of Ms. Callam for the synergy that exists within the team. “She holds you accountable but make us feel inclusive,” said Mr. Robinson, who started saving with JNBS from his school days.

Continuing, Mr. Robinson noted that “because the team is bent on getting the best projects we securitized each project carefully and this sometimes means doing site visits.”

To this loyal JNBS member ,the MAC is a programme that reaches the heart of the people as it does not look at financial status or political affiliation but helps those groups and institutions who really need assistance. His recommendation is that other financial institutions should try and replicate this impacting programme.

Mr. George Evans agrees and feels it an honour to be part of the MAC which he sees as a “wonderful concept.”

For Elder Ezra Little of the Salt Spring United Church, the MAC is God-sent, as, after their church roof was destroyed in a storm they had to use tarpaulin & bricks to keep the elements off but when a brick fell in the church they realized it was no longer safe. “We had nowhere to worship and JNBS provided us with a tent under which we worshipped for three years whilst our church was under construction.”

“You would not know the work you have done in spreading the gospel; you shelter us from the storm and the rain. We got many souls under that tent and had two baptisms,” Elder Jones stated.

The tent, which holds up to 200, is now being used by Brownsville Church in Hanover as their church is now under construction. ” Where it is really doing a great work in the service of the Lord,” Elder little added.

JN Montego Bay MAC Through the Years

Projects Supported  • Donation of Drum Sets to

Montego Bay Boys and Girls Club

• Donation of PA system to Spot Valley High School

• D o n a t i o n o f P a r e n t i n g Handbooks to Family and Parenting Centre

• Erected parameter fencing and painted Maldon Basic School

• Donated a Tent for worship to Salt Spring United Church as their building was destroyed by hurricane

• D o n a t e d c o s t u m e s a n d instruments to the Granville Jonkunnu Band

• Donated two computers to Burchell Baptist for their home work centre

• Donated JN Logo Bags with conference material to boys who attended the Errol Rattray E v a n g e l i s t A s s . B o y s Conference

• Donated Multi Media Screen and Projector to Flankers Pr imary and Junior High School

• created the green space for the Park at Cornwall Regional Hospital, in partnership with Kiwanis Club of Freepor t Montego Bay

• Donated musical instruments to the Cornwall College Cadet Unit Drum Core

• Donated Bell to Farm Primary & Junior High School

• Donated to the Rose Height Communi ty upl i f tment by erecting monuments and street signs

Past & Present Members of the JN Montego Bay Member Advisory Council 

• Shernette Callam• Claudian Fraser-Collins• Sudanne Cameron• Renee King• Freddie Cockings• Terry Ann Reid• Grace Martin• Ronald Brooks• Molcary Robinson• George Evans

Granville Jonkunnu Band, St. James

JN Montego Bay Branch MAC reaches out to all sectors

JAA to introduce Road Safety Clubs in Schools

The Jamaica Automobile Association (JAA) in its drive to increase road safety in Jamaica will launch JAA Junior, a road safety club in schools programme beginning in April 2013, says JAA General Manager, Duane Ellis.Fifty secondary schools across all fourteen parishes will participate in the pilot project, to establish youth-led clubs with the aim of promoting road safety and proper road use.

JAA and the Jamaica National Building Society (JNBS) Foundation in collaboration with JN General Insurance Co. Ltd., the Ministry of Education, and the FIA Foundation, will seek to implement the programme initially in at-risk school communities, which are within close proximity to crash hotspots The school-based club will be rolled out in participating schools during September 2013.

Mr. Ellis explained that the primary objectives of the JAA Junior programme are to reduce the number and frequency of road crashes and fatalities through improved road user behaviour; increase the awareness of, and interest in mechanical related careers and raise the level of enthusiasm and participation in the motor sports industry locally.

According to the World Health Organisation, road crashes have led t0 three thousand five hundred (3500) deaths each day and

upwards of ten million people being injured or disabled each year. The most vulnerable groups identified include children, pedestrians, cyclist and the elderly.

Locally, road traffic crashes are one of the leading causes of deaths in adolescents and young adults and therefore poses a substantial strain on the already limited public health system. Studies have shown that developing countries, including Jamaica, have substantially higher mortality rates in relation to road traffic fatalities and dismemberment.

“The JAA Junior club will constitute a part of the United Nations’ Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011-2020 which aims to reduce the global loss of life and trauma associated with road crashes,” the JAA General Manager pointed out. JAA Junior will make a significant contribution to the Decade of Action by delivering a programme that aims to create better road safety management, safer cars, safer roads, safer road users and more effective response mechanisms to crash sites.

To promote youth advocacy, students will be encouraged to use their imaginations to create innovative solutions to Jamaica’s road safety issues.

The JAA Junior clubs will accomplish this by empowering Jamaican youth to become better road users and expose its membership to the practical and technical aspects of road safety through mentorship from professionals, presentations from various road safety agencies and through their own research and exploration. The project will be supported by the activities under the Make it Click seatbelt campaign, which will sensitise road users to the importance of road safety, specifically the use of seatbelts.

CaPRI seeks to bolster renewable energy sector

Do you know that with the current rate of consumption of the world’s fossil fuels, they are on the verge of total depletion? With this devastating problem, there is one viable solution and that is the use of renewable energy (RE) sources. Renewable energy sources afford us the flexibility to have sustainable and reliable energy. In 2010, US$2 billion dollars was set aside by the European Union (EU) to bolster renewable energy sectors of 73 countries with emphasis on that of the developing world.

Fortunately, the Caribbean Policy Research Institute (CaPRI) has been lobbying for the governments of six Caribbean territories to take up the EU’s offer and create and implement renewable energy policies across the region. Over 13 million people are set to benefit if the six countries: Jamaica, Barbados, St Kitts and Nevis, Grenada, Guyana and Haiti put the necessary structures in place to make this a reality.

Leading with ACT!ON through protecting and sustaining the social constructs and comforts of the citizens of Jamaica has been of paramount importance to the JN Foundation. The environment is one of those social constructs and the JN Foundation is pleased to be in partnership with CaPRI and looks forward to assisting in this initiative.

CaPRI’s renewable energy programme “Frameworks, Policies & Instruments for Mobilising Renewable Energy in the Caribbean” seeks to support the creation of an enabling environment to accelerate private sector investment in renewable energy (RE). The project analyses and identifies viable RE technologies in the Caribbean; investigates the policies and instruments coherent with making RE attractive for investment; and provides information for a cross-section of stakeholders in RE development.

Here are five cases in which YOU can use renewable energy and save money:

• Installing solar-powered outdoor pathway lights is one of the easiest ways to use solar energy at home

• Solar water heating for your pool is the most cost-effective use of solar energy

• Building a new home is the best time to design and orient the home to take advantage of the sun's rays

• Solar panels can be easily installed onto ground- or roof-mounted racks, and new products are available that integrate solar cells with the roof, making them much less visible than older systems.

• Harness the power of the wind – If you live in an area that is remote or has the space to accommodate a small wind turbine, go ahead and install one if you can afford to so.

The smiles of children at the Albion Primary School in Manchester brightened recently as they received new classroom furniture - desks, chairs, books and whiteboards - and other educational resources to improve their learning environment.

The resources were provided by The Jarrett Foundation, a charity organisation founded and operated by second- and third-generation Jamaicans living in the United Kingdom.

They were assisted by representatives from the Jamaica National Foundation, the charity arm of the Jamaica National Building Society (JNBS), and the JNBS subsidiary, JN Money Services Limited (JNMS), which operates the popular brand JN Money Transfer.

"Our team members have been travelling across the island since February, and we have already visited some 27 schools and other institutions, delivering sundry educational resources from a 40-ft container," Pearl Jarrett, chief executive officer and founder of The Jarrett Foundation, explained.

She noted that Albion was selected based on a "needs assessment" by JNMS, which itself has been engaged in school improvement through the Jamaica Partnership for Education (JPE) initiative, a project which is assisting the Government to eradicate illiteracy in primary schools by 2015.

Gabriel Heron, marketing and business development manager at JNMS, who was present at the recent handover, said although Albion has improved its performance significantly, there were obvious gaps which the school needed assistance to fill and maintain its achievements.

"The school has made significant improvements in the past six years, in terms of its literacy and numeracy; however, the small plant which houses the school has been coming under strain from the growing population. Therefore, we wanted to assist them to sustain the educational gains they have been making by giving them additional tools."

"We have been facing a shortage of furniture and space to comfortably educate our 225 students for some time now," principal Paulette Chedda

revealed. "We even transformed what was our resource centre into a small classroom for children with special needs, and found creative ways of repairing and using old desks and chairs."

However, through the efforts of The Jarrett Foundation and the JN team, the school is now the proud owner of new desks and chairs, books and a host of other educational resources.

Head boy Ojane Forbes expressed appreciation on behalf of the school, stating, "I am extremely grateful to everyone who

journeyed to Albion to deliver these furniture and learning resources to our school. And, we thank the drivers and escorts

who brought our special guests here, today." A very articulate student, he praised the Jarrett Foundation and Jamaica National Building Society for their philanthropy.

Jamaicans in the UK reach out to Albion Primary

Portraits of a People: Youth Photographers Capture the Jamaican People in photographic terms

ABOVE: Gabriel Heron, marketing and business development manager, JN Money Services; local representative of the Jarred Foundation Craig Larmond; and,  the chief executive officer of the Jarrett Foundation, Ms. Pearl Jarrett, listen keenly to Dominic Plumber, a grade student at the Albion Primary School, Manchester, as he reads from one of several books that were donated to the school by the Jarrett Foundation.  

More than 150 students from 33 high schools across the island participating in the JNBS Foundation’s Resolution Project advocacy through photography programme have submitted approximately 11,000 photographs for the 2012/2013 competition which ended in March. Here are some of the images taken by students under the theme: Portraits of a People.

LEFT TOP:“Land We Love” by Jhanelle BrownMount Alvernia High School, St. James

LEFT BELOW:“Career Day” Makeda BawnGlenmuir High School, Clarendon

RIGHT:“Tafri Slowly” by Kemar PryceSpalding High School, Clarendon

Social Investment Brings Miracle for Sick Mom

Michelle Howlette’s life was devastated in January 2012 when she suddenly started having difficulty swallowing, walking, or simply even breathing.

The Primary School teacher, who lives in Kingston, said her symptoms included tiredness, blurred vision, droopy eyes and nausea. She frequently felt off balance, found it difficult to climb stairs and came to realise that her life could be in danger.

“It slowed me down and I had to stop working,” she explained. And, her husband, Errol, became the sole breadwinner. However, it was with his support and that of her ten year-old son, Brandon, which made it possible for Michelle to face her challenge.

Mrs. Howlette went to the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI), where she was diagnosed with Myasthenia Gravis disease and placed on medication to strengthen her muscles. However, the treatment was not as effective as she had hoped; and the weakness and nausea persisted.

She was subsequently referred to Dr. Francene Gayle, Consultant Neurologist and Lecturer at UHWI, who told her about the new Spectra Optia Digital Plasmapheresis machine, donated by the Jamaica National Building Society (JNBS) Foundation, which could treat her illness.

“I did the treatment last October; and two da y s l a t e r, I no t i c ed mar ked improvements. My limbs, and especially my legs, got stronger. The blurred vision went away, my eyes could open and close without difficulty and within a week, I felt normal,” Mrs. Howlette declared, “It is a miracle machine. And, I want to get back to work now.”

D r. G a y l e ex p l a i n e d t h a t t h e Plasmapheresis machine, which is the first of its kind in the Caribbean, filters the blood of patients with myasthenia gravis, guillain-barre syndrome and neuro myelitis optica, and removes elements within the blood that

cause patients to experience incapacitating symptoms.

“It increases the likelihood of returning critically ill patients to functional status, and more importantly, it will reduce the incidence of related deaths,” Dr. Gayle outlined. She also pointed out that some of the debilitating symptoms, of the three main neurological diseases, which the equipment will treat include-- paralysis and the requirement of a ventilator for breathing.

Dr. Gayle added that UHWI will become a referral point for patients affected by neurological disorders in Jamaica and other countries in the Caribbean.

With a grant of just more than J$3.9 million from the JN Foundation, the hospital was able to acquire the machine in October last year.

Saffrey Brown, General Manager of JN Foundation said, “The equipment will help to save many lives, and we see this as an opportunity to make a positive impact on the health care system.”

Ms. Brown said at the official handover of the equipment on Wednesday, March 6 at the hospital, that it is anticipated that more than 100 persons, who are affected with severe neurological conditions, will benefit from the acquisition, annually.

“It will advance the treatment process and improve the quality of life of patients, while reducing the valuable hospital hours they would require,” The JN Foundation General Manager stated. “We see this prospect as providing a very good return on our investment.”

Since October, some five patients have already been treated on the machine; and seven nurses and two nurse educators have been trained to use the machine.

Dr. Fenton Ferguson, Minister of Health, in his keynote presentation at the handover ceremony, said that the equipment will, “save the government significant sums by way of recovery time of the patient.”

“I am happy to be seeing this state-of-the-art facility in a public facility,” the Minister declared. “I hope to see it in other hospitals.”

The word on e-streetWhat are our friends saying on Twitter and Facebook?

Facebook"Doing a very good job. I urge you and your affiliates to continue doing whatever possible to help those amongst us who are having a difficult time. I am very pleased with your initiatives." - Grantley Christie "Very good venture. We must do all we can to save our children, save our future, preserve our heritage." - Astley Scott

"Congratulations.... on your hard work and success... in what you guys or doing..... I truly appreciate it....." - Aarris Jen-Roper Bonner 

"I was born and raised in JN beccause my Mom works there and my whole life revolves around anything you guys do and soI am a big supporter and your biggest fan." - Garrett 'Ovacomaz' McDonald  

"Keep up the good work, JN. All the best!" -   Sharon Parchment-Scott

Twitter"Keep doing what you do best guys @JNFoundation" - Wil Lee (@wilwyse) "Welcome aboard @JNFoundation!!! We appreciate what you do for our communities!" - Youths On The Move (@YouthsOnTheMove)

"@JNFoundation Keep being creative!" - Dayan V. Ives (@Dayan876)

“Thank you so much to @JNFoundation for an excellent presentation on effective practices in non-profit social media! F i n a l l y w e g e t t o c o l l a b . ” – (@UNICEF_Jamaica)

“@JNFoundation I remain thankful. My volunteer job is keeping me grounded. Seeing children blossom under a show of care is amazing.” - Sharnette Budd, (@ShanniBudd)

Here's one way how @JNFoundation is Leading with ACT!ON. Here's our (cont) h t t p : / / t l . g d / l 7 m t v s ” - Ke r r y J o (@KerryJoLyn)

“@JNFoundation Cheers! You're doing great work :-)” - Jean L-C (@souldancing)

“@JNFoundation hey, congrats on your volunteer Programme. The updates are invaluable.” - @heatherpinnock

Businesses serving communities

In its quest to mobilize increased employment, investment and revenue within communities across Jamaica, in a socially responsible manner, the Jamaica National Foundation aims to facilitate and support the growth and development of social enterprises through its Social Enterprise Boost Initiative (SEBI), in cooperation with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

Social enterprises are individuals or organizations directly involved in revenue generating initiatives for the combined purpose of achieving social, economic and/or environmental aims. These organizations are recognizing that their heavy reliance on donations, grants and funding to fulfill their mission is unsustainable and therefore must find new ways to generate income, if they are to play a part in Jamaica’s development. The SEBI aims to assist these organisations become financially sustainable and more impactful in the achievement of their missions.

This 3-year programme offers a wealth of business development activities, networking

opportunities and other strategic support interventions.

The initiative is aimed at:  • enabling the growth and development

of strong, viable and successful social enterprises throughout Jamaica,

• facilitating a culture change that builds and revitalizes communities,

• c r e a t i n g e m p l o y m e n t a n d strengthening economic growth and stability,

• fostering socially responsive and responsible environments,

• whilst serving as a transformative force that inspires community cooperation, stewardship and innovation.

SEBI will be creating dynamic and empower ing oppor tun i t ies for t hose organizations that are committed to the development and sustainability of the social and economic well-being of communities, groups and individuals; and will assist them  to become significant contributors to national growth.

The initiative currently has a ‘Call for Applications’ for groups/communities/organisations to participate in its programme. Further information can be found at jnfoundation.com/sebi.

Some of the Social Enterprises supported by JN Foundation over the years:

The Source CRC Programme The Source i s a communi ty resource centre located in five communities accross Jamaica. Its mandate is to provide access to services and facilities that enable community growth and mobility.Each Centre has a business plan which outlines how the centre will achieve sustainability within a specified period of time. Run by key community stakeholders, the Source is the first Social Enterprise Franchise in Jamiaca.

The Original Trail of the Maroons, Accompong: W i t h e v e r i n c r e a s i n g unemployment and an ever growing rural to urban drift, a group of local residents developed a community tourism product centred around the environment, culture and history. This Social Enterprise is at the centre of community tourism, and delivers their services and products in a socially and environmentally responsible fashion.

The Act behind the Act!on.... Each month we feature a member of the team or a key partner. This month we bring you a little on the Project Manager for Rural Regeneration, Virginia Turner

In Virginia’s words... I take great pride in telling persons that I work with the JN Foundation, which is the philanthropic arm of Jamaica National Building Society (JNBS) and that, our grant funding is the Society’s way of carrying out its Corporate Social Responsibility by ploughing back a portion of its profits in the communities it serves. As Project Manager for Rural Development with JN Foundation for the past 10 years, I feel fortunate to be able to do something which comes naturally to a person like me –working with community groups and organizations all across rural Jamaica carrying out the Foundation’s mandate of rural regeneration. My rich, rural upbringing makes it easy to identify with the challenges and needs of the myriad of organizations that the Foundation interacts with on a daily basis. We are in every nook and cranny of Jamaica, interfacing with a wide range of sectors, giving back and impacting the lives of appreciative grantees and their communities. Programmes, like the Members Advisory Council, where grant funding is available, through the JNBS Branches and Money Shops network, for community-based groups, service clubs and small organizations to engage in sustainable and impacting projects, bring hope as we make a difference, one project at a time. Based in Savanna-la-Mar, Westmoreland where JNBS has its roots, spreading as it merges with other rural-based building societies, one cannot escape the sense of history and the commitment to rural redevelopment that is at the heart of the position I hold. Opportunities for helping others abound in the current stagflation and our social conscience should dictate that we reach out. Every day is a rewarding experience as I am a member of an act!on- oriented team with a visionary General Manager championing, among other things, the cause of social enterprise. This has led to my involvement in an exciting project, The Source Savanna-la-Mar, where learning is taking place daily and the positive influence of this super resource centre is spreading across the Parish. The many partnerships that the JN Foundation has forged with other like-minded organizations can only strengthen the ground swell of reinvesting in the communities that do business with us so that we can be agents of change not only in rural Jamaica, but across this nation. That is why I embrace our tag line “Act!on: Innovating, Inspiriting and Impacting,” as I try each day to make it a reality.

The Social Enterprise Boost Initiative (SEBI) announces its ‘Call for Applications’

SEBI invites applications from established, start-up or emerging organizations, with an income-generating initiative (or idea), that supports a social or environmental cause to participate in this ground breaking initiative. To apply please visit jnfoundation.com/sebi

SEBi is an initiative of JN Foundation in Cooperation with the US Agency for International Development