JPS Foundation Newsletter issue #2 sm

THE JPS FOUNDATION

A PUBLICATION OF THE JPS FOUNDATION

NO. 2

FEBRUARY 2014

WWW.MYJPSFOUNDATION.ORG

“SHOW UP!” JPS PRESIDENT & CEO, KELLY TOMBLIN, URGES YOUNG WOMEN LEADERS PAGE 3

BUSTAMANTE GETS eSMART PAGE 4

RENNOCK LODGE SCHOOL OPENS PAGE 6

FOR THE LOVE OF OUR CHILDREN Tracy-Ann Lewis, JPS Business Analyst, reads with this child at the White Marl Primary and Junior High School in St. Catherine on Tuesday January 28. See more highlights on Page 8.

TRELAWNY SPRUCES UP MODEL SCHOOL PAGE 7

Call 935-3514/935-3513. foundation@jpsco.com. facebook.com/myjpsfoundationja. twitter.com/myjpsfoundation

2. COMMUNITY

THE JPS FOUNDATION TAKES THE SHOW ON THE ROAD THE JPS Foundation has embarked on cross country road show and what a show it has been!

St. Thomas gave us a delicious reception with a full Ackee and Salt Mackerel breakfast. It was also in St. Thomas that the idea of Foundation Liaisons was formed, when Parish Manager Mr. Oswald Smiley nominated Natoya MightySmith for the role.

Our next stop in St. Catherine was the most interesting to date, partly due to the impassioned input by one team member.

KSAN followed with a lovely turnout that almost got sidetracked by the unseen, but still very felt, presence of a resident croaking lizard!

Then we took on the West! On January 16 we were greeted by a ‘vibesy’ turn-out in St. Ann in the morning; In Trelawny, we had an ‘awwww’ moment when a team member upped his donation from $700 to $1,200, and in Montego Bay we were told by another that he was now “inspired” to give back!

FOR THE LOVE OF OUR CHILDREN ON January 23, the JPS Corporate Communications and Foundation teams watched the midday screening of Girl Rising at the Institute of Jamaica in support of the Althea Laing-led "Self Esteem and Image Enhancement Workshop for Girls".

The documentary is gripping to say the least. It tells the stories of nine girls from around the world who face arranged marriages, child slavery, and other heartbreaking injustices. Despite these obstacles, the brave girls offer hope and inspiration. By getting an education, they're able to break barriers and create change.

The stories of these nine girls deliver a simple, critical truth: Educate Girls and you will Change the World.

Watching this film further brought home the fact that while

as a people many of us suffer, we are still fortunate in having the freedom to access what to others in the world is unattainable.

We invite you to attend a special screening of Girl Rising here at the Corporate Office on Tuesday February 18 at 12:30 p.m. in the HR Conference Room.

We’ve also gone a step further to help our own children with the Heart to Heart Valentine’s promotion. By purchasing a heart you are pledging your love to a student and helping to fund our Model Schools project which aims to provide quality learning environments for basic school children On Pages 6 and 7 you will read of the progress being made with our Model Schools and you can help us achieve more — simply for the love of our children.

Following a restful night at El Greco, we visited Westmoreland —home of CHAMPION VOLUNTEER, JULITTE REEVES, then later we met a dedicated team member in Hanover who humbly said his donation was small but he would give more when he could.

Back in the East, next was KSAN where Foundation Manager, Nathelie Taylor was told she rivalled ‘Jenny Jenny’!

Portland was perhaps the most heart-warming as four unlikely heroes unhesitatingly donated

$4,000 in cash, while at our final stop in St. Mary, Oneil Lewis left us motivated with his story of volunteerism.

It’s been great visiting you all and meeting such wonderful people in the process. Thanks for all your suggestions and contributions — we appreciate it all!

In February, we eagerly look forward to visiting the remaining parishes in Region South — Portmore, Clarendon, Manchester and St. Elizabeth. We can hardly wait for this experience. See you soon!

3. YOUTH LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT Angelique Gardener, Alshadane Wright and Shana-Kay Cunningham listen to Kemesha Vassell during the session.

A

JPS President & CEO, Kelly Tomblin, urges young women leaders to take their place THE four inductees of the JPS Foundation Young Women Leaders Programme got an inspiring B to their 12-month leaderstart ship training when they met with JPS President & CEO, Kelly Tomblin, on January 10.

In this their first Leadership Development Session, Shana-Kay Cunningham (UWI), Alshadane Wright (NCU), Kemesha Vassell C (UTech) and Angelique Gardener (JTS) learnt that the gender gap that exists in corporate Jamaica is promulgated by women not being afforded or taking the opportunity to bridge that divide.

“We face the challenge of older companies being led by men D grew up under a different who paradigm. We also see where women often lack established business networks. Most often too, women face an internal hurdle in developing the needed E confidence and determination to step into leadership roles. I challenge you to change all of this.”

Ms. Tomblin went on to encourage the ladies to step up, close the gender gap and simply show

F

up and take their places as leaders in Jamaica.

“Even when women reach high executive levels, they do not aspire to Board seats. Women continue to be underrepresented in leadership roles. But I challenge you to show up! Showing up is winning half the battle. Remember it is when you feel the fear that you lean in.”

Alshadane Wright, the youngest of the quartet of participants at age 17, was moved by the presentation to step into her greatness.

“It was very informative. I was very motivated and strengthened to face life’s challenges. I now see opportunities differently. I am looking forward to the rest of the programme and this development journey.

The next Development Session takes place on Friday February 7, when founder of Future Services Limited and Executive Producer of business reality show The Innovators, Yaneek Page, addresses the topic of ‘Ideation, Innovation and Risks in Leadership’.

4. COMMUNITY

BUSTAMANTE GETS eSMART

ABOVE: JPS’ Senior Vice President for Customer and Corporate Services, Sheree Martin, presents Chairman of the South East Regional Health Authority (SEHRA), Mr. Lyttleton ‘Tanny’ Shirley with the software application.

JAMAICA’S only specialist pediatric hospital, Bustamante Hospital for Children, now stands to benefit from improved energy management, as the institution was recently presented with access to the cutting edge energy management tool, JPS eSmart. The eSmart application is an online portal, hosted by Utilismart from Canada which provides a similar service to other North American utilities and Companies.

The software will allow the hospital to monitor energy usage, as frequently as every 15-minutes, analyze trends and gauge the effectiveness of energy conservation initiatives. The donation was made courtesy of the JPS Foundation and the eStore.

The presentation saw access to the software application being officially handed over to the Chairman of the South East Regional Health Authority (SEHRA), Mr. Lyttleton ‘Tanny’ Shirley, by JPS’ Senior Vice President for Customer and Corporate Services, Sheree Martin.

Speaking at the handing over ceremony, Mrs. Martin noted that the JPS Foundation is about empowering and educating fellow

“We want our customers to benefit from energy efficiency, in addition to an improved customer experience.”

Jamaicans.

“We want our customers to benefit from energy efficiency, in addition to an improved customer experience,” she said.

Chairman of SEHRA, Mr. Shirley, in addressing the gathering, stressed that energy saving is high on the country’s agenda, observing that it will involve an educational process in addition to various measures being undertaken, to successfully bring about the changes in energy costs, that we wish to see.

Meanwhile, JPS Director of Sales and Marketing, Garth McKenzie, pointed out that optimal energy management would ultimately mean more funds available, to undertake the tasks of the organization which practices efficiency.

This he noted, tied in well with the JPS’ objective of providing an energy solution for all Jamaicans.

Here, the application is tested by the stakeholders.

5. FEATURE

What’s on!

‘High VOLTage’ is a monthly feature that shares brief profiles about our Volunteers On Location To Serve (VOLTS) who are operating at the highest levels in service to others!

This month, Connection features Roderick Keating, Field Services Technician in St. Thomas, who inspires us all. His was the first parish the Foundation team visited in their Road Show series, so it’s apt to start with him.

Volunteering is not just important to Roderick; it’s soothing to his spirit. Bob Marley’s quote “If my life is for me one, mi no want it”, is what drives him to give back. One of his most memorable VOLTS moment is his participation in the clean up after Hurricane Sandy which he described as “a family thing.” Giving back was something he saw demonstrated by family members, especially an uncle, and he sees volunteering as showing true love and unity.

Thanks Roderick, for all you do!

Want a ‘High VOLTage’ volunteer to be featured? Just nominate that person — stating name and reason for nomination —

by Monday March 3, 2014 and we’ll take care of the rest!

FEBRUARY 11 JPS Foundation Road Show — Spanish Town Parish office FEBRUARY 12 Ribbon-Cutting at Falmouth Gardens Basic School FEBRUARY 13 JPS Foundation Road Show — Clarendon Parish office FEBRUARY 14 Valentine’s Day treats FEBRUARY 18 JPS Foundation Road Show — Portmore Parish office FEBRUARY 18 ‘Girl Rising’ movie screening (Corporate Office) FEBRUARY 19 JPS Foundation Road Show — St. Elizabeth Parish office FEBRUARY 24 JPS Foundation Road Show — Manchester Parish office

6. EDUCATION

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The JPS Foundation’s third established Model School Project — the Infant Department at the Rennock Lodge All Age School — officially opened its doors to students for the January 2014 term.

The students were formerly housed in the school’s library because the facilities in the Infant Department were not conducive to learning. To facilitate this happening, the JPS Foundation tiled the classrooms and fenced the perimeter of the Infant school. Fixtures were also installed in the teachers’ restroom to allow completion.

Principal of the school, Mrs. Jacqueline Lewis, expressed her gratitude.

“We have needed this for so long! We thank the JPS Foundation and its hardworking staff, especially Omar Thomas who worked tirelessly to make this a reality for our children.”

It is still a project in motion, however, as the fence is to be painted in the school colours and new windows to be installed in the classrooms. A speciallydesigned playground is also to be created.

Another important focus area will be making the institution into a model school for energy usage.

This will include infrastructure upgrade; wiring the school for electricity, as needed; retrofitting the school to use only energy efficient lighting (LED) and working with the institution to ensure it manages its usage and keeps its energy costs as low as possible.

FLASHBACK: THE WALL IN CONSTRUCTION Minister of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining, the Honourable Phillip Paulwell (right), lays a block to help complete the wall at the entrance of the infant department of the School as JPS President and CEO, Kelly Tomblin, looks on during the work day in November 2013.

PRESENT-DAY: PRESENT-DAY: NEW NEWHOME! HOME! Principal Principalofofthe theschool, school, Mrs. Mrs.Jacqueline JacquelineLewis, Lewis, greets greetsthe thetiny tinytots totsinin their theirown ownnew newspace spaceinin January.

January.For Foryears, years,the the early earlychildhood childhoodstustudents dentswere weretaught taughtinin the theschool’s school’slibrary, library,aa situation situationthat thatwas wasnot not conducive conducivetotolearning. learning. department. department.

PRESENT-DAY: SECURE! The completion of the new wall and gate at the school was the realisation of the Foundation’s commitment to making the infant school a safe and secure environment for the students, in keeping with standards set by the Early Childhood Commission.

7. EDUCATION

THE children of the Falmouth Gardens Basic School — the JPS Foundation Model School for Region West — now have a delightfully new and safe playground to romp to their hearts’ desires, thanks in part to the Trelawny VOLTS (Volunteers on Location to Serve) who executed a successful work day on Sunday January 19.

Bedecked in their beautiful yellow shirts and armed with an array of tools, the team focused on putting the finishing touches to

the exterior of the school. Specific attention was given to painting the wonderful play structures on the specially-designed Playground, rendering the fencing and doing general landscaping and beautification to the yard.

This work day was a cost-efficient mission.

Team members in the West galvanised their fundraising prowess to raise $30,000 which in January bought paint, building materials and refreshments for themselves on the

work day. Top soil and plants were also donated by businesses in the area, which further went to off set the staggering cost of $120,000. The contractor, Schheed Cole, who designed and constructed the uniquely -styled playground also assisted by donating garden benches for the children to sit outdoors. This was the second donation he made to the project, the first being an additional piece of play equipment which he installed free of cost in 2013.

… York Town Basic on track to completion too!

THE JPS Foundation’s first Model School Project, the York Town Basic School in Clarendon, has undergone further development since its launch in August 2013.

Through the Foundation’s intervention, the school got electricity for the first time in

2013. Several months later, a fundraiser was held which led to them receiving a stove and a freezer. To enhance the school’s functionality and the students’ and teachers’ comfort, fans are set to be installed in the classrooms.

The major focus now, however, is on safety and security, with a proper fence to be installed. This is in keeping with operational standards set by the Early Childhood Commission, stipulating the conditions required from all early childhood institutions.

8. EDUCATION

JPS VOLTS SHARE STORYTIME WITH STUDENTS Students at the White Marl Primary & Junior High School in St. Catherine were ‘edutained’ on Tuesday January 28 when a team of JPS VOLTS visited the school to read with them during their special Reading Day. In addition to being thrilled by the stories, the students also received gifts of books and pencils. Here are the highlights.

9. COMMUNITY

LENNOX PALINE COPS AWARD IN LIME FOUNDATION 6K LENNOX Paline is JPS’ champion walker!

The Senior Security Officer, who is based at our Portmore branch, shares that walking is among his favourite things to do, noting that “I love to walk! I do a lot of walking every day. It’s one of my strengths and I enjoy it a lot.”

It was with little surprise then that this passion of his led to winnings at Sunday’s LIME Foundation 6K when he strongly walked his way to second place in the 40-49 Walk Race Category.

The event was supported by the JPS Foundation and Paline was among other JPS colleagues – including an enthused contingent from the Portmore office led by Manager Cecile McCormack along with senior executives Kelly Tomblin, Keith Garvey and Winsome Callum – who took on the challenge of walking or running in support of purchasing a fluoroscope for the Bustamante Hospital for Children.

Beautifully bedecked in bright yellow JPS-branded Tshirts complemented by megawatt smiles, the JPS team

assembled early at the Waterford High School on the cool Sunday morning, eager to get those legs going in their event of choice. At the blow of the whistles indicating the start of the respective races just shortly after 7:00 a.m., the group began their treks for charity, with all completing the course within an hour.

“I was very excited to do the walk when Mrs. McCormack told me about it,” Paline explains.

“This was my first time doing a 6K but I was glad to join the Portmore team in this activity because it was for a very good cause – the children at the Bustamante Hospital.”

He admits, however, that while he was keeping a good pace during the race, a slight stop to get a drink deprived him of the ultimate win in his age group.

“The only reason why I came second is because I eased up a bit and this guy who was behind me all along just slipped past me. Even so, I feel good about participating and representing for my team here and the JPS Foundation. I feel very good about it.”

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CONTACT THE JPS FOUNDATION FOR MORE DETAILS: 6 Knutsford Boulevard, Kingston 5 935-3514/935-3531 foundation@jpsco.com nataylor@jpsco.com/slambert@jpsco.com