Celebrating hundreds of children

FORTY YEARS of dedicated service to community development, self-empowerment, and nation-building is no easy feat; but is one embraced and lived through the Grace & Staff Community Development Foundation. We owe so much appreciation and gratitude to our founders, parent company GraceKennedy Limited, staff, volunteers, communities, and partners, who have, together, created much of which we can be justifiably proud.

The genesis of the foundation lies in the ‘We Care’ mantra of our parent company and in the shared vision of its staff and leaders in seeing Jamaica, land we love, develop to its full potential. The willingness of staff to make voluntary contributions from their salaries, which are then matched by the company on a two-to-one basis, underscores this commitment.

Thousands of lives have been impacted through the various programmes and projects embarked on by the Foundation. The consultative process of prioritising needs resulted in a shift in our focus during the early 1980s to reflect a desire for children in central Kingston to complete high school. Today, we celebrate hundreds of students across the island from underserved communities bordering GraceKennedy’s businesses, who have gone even further and are completing tertiary studies. A number of our beneficiaries have not only progressed to establish successful careers but are also giving back to their communities. We salute these persons for being good examples of resilience and strength and for serving as role models to other young people from equally challenging circumstances. You continue to inspire others and motivate the Grace & Staff team to persevere in our efforts.

To our partners, collaborators, local and international funders, we say thanks for supporting our efforts of ‘building a bridge of human care and understanding’. Over our 40 years of working in communities and impacting lives, one thing remains clear-collaboration is key in achieving success.

Team work really makes the dream work, and this is epitomised in how the Foundation functions. Led by Frances Madden for decades, the team’s commitment, shown in its support of the holistic development of students, parents and communities, is truly remarkable. I salute you and thank you for your unwavering support, as I lead the team in achieving our 2022 target of providing financial assistance to 1000 students in celebration of GraceKennedy’s 100th anniversary.

‘The genesis of the Foundation lies in the ‘We Care’ mantra of our parent company and the shared vision of staff and leaders in seeing Jamaica, land we love, develop to its full potential.’