Empowering many Jamaicans

WITH JAMAICA’S Vision 2030 goals of becoming the place of choice to live, work, raise families and do business, retired Educator Yvonne Eubank, believes that Grace & Staff Community Development Foundation is poised to assist the nation on that journey, by empowering many Jamaicans to build self, communities and country.

As the STEM Administrator at the GraceKennedy/Parade Gardens Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM) Centre, Eubank is ideally situated to assist in community empowerment.

The state-of-the-art STEM centre on Water Lane, serves students in Parade Gardens, and beyond. It prepares students for external exams (CSEC and CAPE) and STEM careers through the introduction to new technologies, such as robotics, in an environment conducive for studying and research. The 2000 plus square foot centre facility boasts a computer lab for animation, an electronics lab for robotics, a 3D printing and design facility, a study/homework prep area, a multi-subject lab (Physics, Chemistry and Biology) and a lab prep room.

The establishment of the STEM Centre has been made possible through a public/private partnership involving the USAID, Microsoft Jamaica, the Scientific Research Council, The Mico College, the Ministry of Education, the ICD Group and GraceKennedy Limited.

Eubank says that the STEM Centre’s primary beneficiaries - students and their parents - often convey gratitude for the Foundation’s education programme, as they would be otherwise challenged to fund educational pursuits.

The work carried out at the STEM Centre is therefore quite relevant, as many social needs are being addressed. Training opportunities are also provided for unemployed youth. They receive guidance and support in their search for jobs.“There is tremendous benefit in empowering persons, building morale, self-esteem, and addressing conflicts where necessary,” noted Eubank.