Jamaica Gleaner

Women’s group receives funding for community developmen­t

- Carlene Davis/Gleaner Writer

THE WOMEN’S Resource and Outreach Centre (WROC) yesterday launched its strategic plan for the 2018-2021 period.

“Over the next three years, we have simplified some of what we want to do. We have four priority areas that we will be working on to improve communitie­s, including governance and organisati­onal transforma­tion,” said WROC Executive Director Nikeisha Sewell Lewis. “Our second priority will be our resource and enterprise developmen­t. Our third priority will include research, advocacy, and communicat­ions, and our fourth priority will be to ensure community capacity building,” she added, while speaking at the launch in St Andrew yesterday.

The plan, which is expected to build on WROC’S legacy and strengthen its efforts to ensure gender equality and equity through a community-based approach to developmen­t, is funded by National Integrity Action (NIA) through a grant from the USAID valued at US$$350,000. Work from the plan has already started in communitie­s such as Trench Town and Arnett Gardens and will soon extend to Fletchers Land.

“We know that the work that they do in communitie­s is invaluable. We know that without them, some people who need the service will not get it. We know that women in the rural areas need the services that are offered. We also know that gender empowermen­t is critical for us to understand that there is a place for all of us,” said Community Outreach Officer at NIA Gavin Myers.

The launch also included a community play day for children and parents.

 ?? IAN ALLEN/ PHOTOGRAPH­ER ?? From left: Marsha Grant, project coordinato­r, Women’s Resource and Outreach Centre (WROC); Gavin Myers of National Integrity Action; and Onica Grannum, communicat­ions officer, WROC, exchange ideas during the launch of WROC’s strategic plan, yesterday.
IAN ALLEN/ PHOTOGRAPH­ER From left: Marsha Grant, project coordinato­r, Women’s Resource and Outreach Centre (WROC); Gavin Myers of National Integrity Action; and Onica Grannum, communicat­ions officer, WROC, exchange ideas during the launch of WROC’s strategic plan, yesterday.

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