His love and concern for his fellow man
FOUR DECADES ago, Tower Street, located in proximity to GraceKennedy’s headquarters in downtown Kingston, was the haunt of drug pushers and drug addicts. Today it is home to the Learning Institute of Central Kingston, a nurturing creative space created by Grace & Staff Community Development Foundation where students dare to dream of a future unconstrained by the reality of their surroundings.
The idea that gave birth to the Grace & Staff Community Development Foundation was spawned by Sam Richards. An accountant by profession, Richards brought to GraceKennedy not only his excellent work ethic and consummate financial acumen, but also his love and concern for his fellow man.
Looking back at what was happening in the community at the time, Mr Richards recalled,
“It was as though we lived in two different worlds, yet occupying the same geographic location. Men, women and children, Jamaicans all, yet seemingly strangers, seemingly emerging from the same cultural roots, yet so different, not understanding each other, not knowing each other, not enjoying the same opportunities for development but in the end suffering the same fate, that of insecurity and tension and fear,” Richards said.
The management and staff of the GraceKennedy family, working with the residents of Parade Gardens, made the perfect partnership at a time when the community was in dire need of ‘a group of thoughtful, committed citizens’ to bring about change.
“It is important to pause and reflect, and it is our inalienable right to work and achieve and to enjoy the facilities resulting from our achievements, but we also should accept the undeniable responsibility to help to create the conditions which will enable us to enjoy those rights,” Richards said.
Affectionately known as ‘Grace & Staff’, he approached his mission not as one bringing bounty to the less privileged, but someone who fully understood that true generosity benefits the giver as much as those receiving. He saw it as a partnership in a mutually beneficial relationship.
Richard’s departure from GraceKennedy in 1985 to establish his own business, Sampars Cash and Carry, did not mean a breaking of ties with Grace & Staff, as he continued to serve on the board for several years and was integral to the Christmas outreach programme.
“The foundation has now achieved 40 years of devoted service to the development of our country and in the process, initiated a most profound change. The change which has improved human relationships in many areas has indeed produced volumes of success,” Richards said.
“It is critical that we as Jamaicans accept the responsibility for our own development. The Foundation has been a significant instrument in community development, with the staff and volunteers making a direct and personal input in the development of the communities around them, in order to help in the process of creating stability in building our nation,” he added. “The lives of many have been rescued from the brink of disaster and many have been changed from destructive to productive citizens. There is a greater level of reciprocal understanding between many of our people. Indeed, the Foundation has been good for Jamaica,” concluded Richards.
And as Carlton Alexander used to say, “What’s good for Jamaica, is good for GraceKennedy.”