A world-class brand
THE GraceKennedy Group is an excellent example of a wholly Jamaican-owned business that is a world-class brand.
From its inception almost a century ago to its now multinational status, the GraceKennedy brand has shown the world that Jamaican goods, products, and services can compete with any country’s.
Indeed, GraceKennedy has always been astute in acknowledging and practicing good corporate social responsibility. Through the Grace & Staff Community Development Foundation, the group has magnified its social responsibilities in the areas of education, community development, and volunteerism. In that regard, I wholeheartedly congratulate the foundation on achieving 40 years of operation in the communities it serves.
Through its mission to contribute to nation-building by supporting community development through partnerships in education and empowerment activities through and utilising the voluntary support of GraceKennedy staff and affiliates, the corporate entity has sought to alleviate the social burdens of those in less fortunate circumstances.
Over the years, the Foundation has nurtured children in vulnerable communities from a tender age through to finishing high school and even university, through providing great opportunities for self-actualisation. To impede crime and violence, the Foundation has made the services of its resident counselling psychologist and postgraduate students from the counselling and social work department of The University of the West Indies available to communities.
The Foundation has always fostered community-outreach programmes through Christmas care packages provided to the elderly and through making quarterly contributions to the Salvation Army Geriatric Clinic downtown, Kingston.
With a specific focus on community development, the Foundation has mobilised community leaders through an empowerment process. I commend the Foundation for the extraordinary work it has done in establishing a continued dialogue with mothers, troubled teens, and other people affected by crime and violence.
Ensuring that the youth complete their education has always been a major aim of the Foundation. Through the homework centres in Central Kingston, Majesty Gardens, Barbican, and Spanish Town, and even in Westmoreland, the Foundation has contributed to school fees/tuition, lunch money, and transportation.
I commend the leadership of James Moss-Solomon, the board of directors and all the GraceKennedy Group staff, who have worked tirelessly to make the dreams of the less fortunate a reality. Jamaica is indeed grateful for all the contributions the foundation has made in positively impacting the poorest and, vulnerable within our society.
As the Grace & Staff Community Development Foundation commemorates its ruby anniversary, I encourage its members to stay focused on its vision to see young people achieving their optimum potential and meaningfully participating in their development, the development of the community, and the development of others.