JPS Foundation Newsletter January 2014

THE JPS FOUNDATION

A PRODUCTION OF THE JPS FOUNDATION

NO. 1

JANUARY 2014

Newsletter

WWW.MYJPSFOUNDATION.ORG

Celebrating SCHOLARS GROOMING LEADERS OUR VOLTS FOR KOREA PAGE 3

PAGE 5

Model Schools Project Launched

JPS Partners for Teacher Training

PAGE 4

PAGE 5

PAGE 2

PAGE 6

JPS Brings the Joy of Christmas PAGE 7

2. COMMUNITY

The ‘My JPS Foundation’ Drive The JPS Foundation belongs to us all. You help to power our Foundation’s vision with your energy everyday and we want to engage you even more. Between January and March 2014, we will be visiting you at your parish offices, to share updates and show how you can continue making a difference. For 2014,

there are so many ways to be a part of our Foundation and help us make real life differences. You can join us on community outreach activities, donate in cash or kind and share information about our Foundation with our valued customers. Let’s all join hands and hearts across Jamaica, for Jamaica!

THE WORDS ‘JPS Foundation’ tive, Masao Imazato. are becoming a household As a part of the Corporate phrase on the lips of Jamaicans Communications Department, since it launched in August our Foundation’s operations are 2013… and this is largely beguided by CorpComm Head, cause of your efforts. Yes, you! Winsome Callum, with the exThrough your support — your pertise of Communications sharing of time, talent and Officers Shenee Tabbanah, treasures — we have been posi- Audrey Williams and Ruthlyn tively impacting Johnson, as well as lives all across the Social Media ManagJamaica. er, Tricia Williamson As you know, driving it. Special our company has mention must be had a longmade of Williamson standing give Nathelie Taylor (left), and and IT Administrator, back programme. Sophia Lambert Brandon Lobban, who Actually, the JPS worked tirelessly to Early Childhood School Nutrition develop and maintain our FounProgramme is viewed as a best dation's presence on social practice within the Early Childmedia forums—our website, hood sector, having touched the Facebook and Twitter. We invite lives of thousands of families for you to visit us at any of these by more than 10 years. The Prologging into: gramme now provides meals for www.myjpsfoundation.org; facebook.com/jpsfoundationja more than 25,000 students twitter.com/myjpsfoundation across the island.

We also receive strong support Main Focus Areas from our Community Relations Stemming from this, the main focus of the Foundation at this Officers — Allaine Harvey (Region West), Daffodil Brucetime will be Education and Youth Leadership Development, James (Region South) and Omar as these areas have the greatest Thomas (Region East). potential to impact the future of This Connection Newsletter is a monthly production of the JPS Jamaica.

Our Foundation is manned by Foundation and will share inforNathelie Taylor (Manager) and mation on our activities. This first issue takes a look back at Sophia Lambert (Coordinator) who are committed to acting on our first few months in operaour vision to improve lives and tion; especially, showcasing your sterling contributions. strengthen communities. But But hey, we also want to hear there is such strong support from you! What’s happening in from others. your region or parish? Is there a For starters, we have a Board social need in Education or of nine members, led by Sir KenYouth Leadership that you beneth Hall. The others members lieve the Foundation can assist are Kelly Tomblin, Employee with?

Tell us about it all! Kindly Representatives, Keith Garvey contact us via telephone at and Camille Lumsden-Dwyer, 935-3514 or via email at Beverly Lopez, Frank Anthony foundation@jpsco.com.

Ray, Professor Gordon Shirley, Thank you for all you do and EWP Representative, Geun Tee we look forward to a great year!

Kim and Marubeni Representa-

3. COMMUNITY

Celebrating our

A

B

C

D

JULLITE REEVES is a powerhouse volunteer at JPS! Her contributions to community outreach were recognised when her own colleagues selected her as the Top Volunteer for 2013 as part of the staging of the first JPS Foundation Top Volunteer Award.

Jullite was among 18 other VOLTS recognised for their spirit of volunteerism at the Awards held on Friday December 6 at the JPS Sports Club.

Parish winners from Regions South, East and West were chosen as Top Volunteers based on number of outreach participated in; company involvement and willingness to offer assistance to other parishes. From that were shortlisted four Regional winners— Shernane Spence, Region East; Jullite

Above, Region West Community Relations Officer, Allaine Harvey (left) presents plaques to Jullite Reeves. Winners pictured left are: A: Tashie Lee. B: Roderick Keating. C: Sharee James. D: Donovan Cunningham. E: Courtney Whyte. F: Shernane Spence

Reeves, Region West; Winsome Sadhi, Region South and Courtney Whyte, Corporate.

It was Jullite, however, who copped the Top Volunteer Award, which came with

prizes of multiple plaques, a prize of a Ham courtesy of CB Foods and a special gift basket from JPS President and CEO, Kelly Tomblin. Congrats Jullite and continue the great work!

Meet our Top Volunteer: Jullite Reeves E

F

JULLITE’S LOVE for JPS is quite evident, as she points out that “whatever JPS is involved in I will support and be a part of it.”

In 2013, for instance, the proud VOLTS member participated in several major activities, including Beach Clean-up, building a bus shed for the School of Special Education students on Labour Day and reading with the students of that institution on International Literacy Day. Coupled with her natural desire to help others, it is this

loyalty to the company that further drives her desire to be involved and to give back in a charitable way.

“Volunteerism is important to the company and its growth. I see the company is making an impact on lives and I think it’s my duty to also play a part in that process. With the formation of the JPS Foundation now, I know that we can become more involved and help even more persons all across Jamaica.”

“Many persons just see JPS as a utility company. But having

been here for 26 years I know how the company has helped to make a positive difference for people and the country, and I am proud to help continue to create a strong impact on the nation’s development.”

Having enjoyed her experiences volunteering to improve the lives of others, Jullite unhesitatingly encourages others to give back.

“Giving back and being of service to others is great. You should always try to assist and help others. It’s good for you and even better for them.”

4. EDUCATION

JPS FOUNDATION DEVELOPING EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION THROUGH

MODEL SCHOOLS PROJECT BUILDING ON the platform established by the Early Childhood Nutrition Programme, the JPS Foundation has launched Model Schools Projects in three Early Childhood institutes across the island.

The Foundation’s primary objective is to help these schools — York Town Basic School in Clarendon (Region South), Falmouth Gardens Early Childhood Institute in Trelawny (Region West) and Rennock Lodge Infant School in Kingston (Region East) — satisfy and surpass the basic standards established by the Early Childhood Commission in the areas of:  Staffing  Development/Educational Programmes  Interactions & Relationships with Children  Physical Environment  Indoor & Outdoor Equipment, Furnishing & Supplies  Health  Nutrition  Safety and  Interaction with Parents & Community Members.

An added area of focus for the three-year project will be making these institutions into model schools 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)  Working with the institutions to ensure that they manage their usage and keep their energy costs as low as possible.

The schools were selected in collaboration with the JPS Foundation’s partners at the Early Childhood Commission, with key considerations being the needs of the school, as well as the opportunities for involvement of JPS employees.

Measurement will be critical to the model school project. The JPS Foundation will start with the level of compliance with the Early Childhood Commission standards, as reflected in the ECC Inspection Reports. All the schools identified are meeting less than 40% of the requirements of the ECC.

D

FALMOUTH GARDENS EARLY CHILDHOOD INSTITUTE LAUNCH

5. EDUCATION

SCHOLARS FOR KOREA POSTGRAD STUDY GAVIN MYERS and Leon Samms have been awarded postgraduate C scholarships tenable at the Yeungnam University in Daegu, Korea to undertake studies in community development, starting March 2014.

Made possible through a partnership between the JPS Foundation and stakeholders EWP (Korea East West Power), the scholarships will enable the two young men to undertake an 18-month Masters course at the University’s Department of 'New Community Project and International Development' in the Park Chung Hee School of Policy and Saemaul (PSPS).

The scholarships were offered as part of EWP’s support for Education and Community Development in Jamaica, and further underscores the JPS Foundation’s charge to provide Jamaican youth with opportunities to access quality education at all levels.

Advertised in November 2013, the scholarships cover full tuition, air travel, and living expenses of about J$100,000 per month. Applicants for these postgraduate scholarships must have had a first degree or equivalent.

JPS Foundation Manager, Nathelie Taylor, says the response to the scholarship offer was overwhelming and indicative of the depth of

Gavin Myers

work being executed by youth within their communities.

“There was an influx of quality applications that shows just how committed our young people are to nation building. The two recipients demonstrated a profound understanding of social issues in Jamaica and are deeply committed and prepared to work in the area of policy implementation and community development.”

EDUCATION

GUIDED BY its commitment to enhancing the quality of education in Jamaica, the JPS Foundation in November announced its partnership with the United Way of Jamaica for the training of four Early Childhood teachers over a two-year period.

The JPS Foundation’s investment is valued at J$1.2 million and will allow the teachers to be trained in the ‘Fundamentals of Early Childhood Education’ at the Mico University College starting January 2014.

Two of the teachers were selected by the JPS Foundation from its model schools – York Town Basic School in Clarendon and Falmouth Gardens Early Childhood Institute Trelawny. The other two educators, one of whom teaches Special Needs students, will be selected by the United Way.

JPS President & CEO, and Director of the JPS Foundation, Kelly Tomblin, noted that “Next to being a parent, teaching is the most challenging, most rewarding, most necessary job of all and no matter what we do, nothing will happen if don’t support our teachers. So we are excited today to announce our contribution of J$1.2 million to start an effort to support our teachers, in partnership with the United Way.” Beneficiary, Carmeta Richards also said: “We are happy for this wonderful opportunity to develop the early childhood education system. This opportunity will help us to better execute knowledge and skills in nurturing and moulding young minds and we are committed to doing our best during the training period.”

Leon Samms

32-year-old Gavin Myers is a Community Development Officer at the Social Development Commission with more than 10 years in community development.

His co-awardee, Leon Samms, is a 23-year -old Administrative Specialist in the College of Business and Management at the University of Technology and serves as first Vice President of the Fletcher’s Land Police Youth Club.

6. YOUTH LEADERSHIP

Eric Salkey’s five top success tips Third-year University of the West Indies medical student, Eric Salkey was the first inductee into the JPS Foundation Leadership Academy. The 25year-old future surgeon and six -year JPS Foundation Scholar shares his success tips to help you achieve the unachievable in 2014:

JPS FOUNDATION GROOMING YOUNG WOMEN LEADERS Recipients of the Young Women Leaders Scholarship with JPS President and CEO, Kelly Tomblin. From left are Shana-Kay Cunningham, Alshadane Wright, Kemesha Vassell and Angelique Gardener.

FOUR YOUNG women in tertiary institutions across the island have been awarded scholarships through the JPS Foundation’s Young Women Leaders Programme, an initiative of its Youth Leadership Academy.

With Youth Leadership Development a core focus area, the recently established JPS Foundation is working towards assisting the development of young Jamaican leaders.

A first step in this regard is the awarding of the scholarships to outstanding female students at each of our main tertiary instiCOMMUNITY

tutions. These scholarships, made possible through the kind donations of partners of the JPS Foundation, who will also be Mentors to the candidates, will include payment towards the recipients’ tuition fees, as well as exposure to leadership training opportunities.

The recipients are University of the West Indies Law student, Shana-Kay Cunningham; Mass Communications major at the Northern Caribbean University, Alshadane Wright; Chemical Engineering major at the University of Technology, Kemesha Vassell and Guidance and Coun-

selling student at the Jamaica Theological Seminary, Angelique Gardener.

President & CEO of JPS, Kelly Tomblin, declared that “we have a leadership crisis in the world and the JPS Foundation Leadership Academy is being built to tackle that. This initiative in particular is about helping our young women find their voice and have a forum for learning and for discussing issues as they rise from being young women to influential decision makers. It’s about helping them to step into their full power.”

THE JPS FOUNDATION SUPPORTS COMMUNITY ENTREPRENEURSHIP The JPS Foundation sponsored the Trench Town Trade & Investment Fair, a one-day event conceptualised by the Agency for Inner-city Renewal (AIR) to bring community based micro-entrepreneurs into the mainstream of the Jamaican economy. Here, JPS Foundation Coordinator, Sophia Lambert (left) and Manager, Nathelie Taylor pose with AIR’s head and noted Social Entrepreneur, Dr. Henley Morgan, at a press conference held prior to the Fair.

At the Fair, held November 16, 2013at the Emancipation Park in Kingston, the Foundation hosted women from a Central Village Women Business Group who showcased household wares that they make.

Dream Big I often thought about the finest things in life while growing up and how I can achieve it in the most efficient and legal way possible.

Be Self-Motivated Self-motivation has a much longer effect on a person as this drives them to succeed.

This is what fuels my dream.

Be Passionate It’s important to be passionate about what you are doing, no matter how 'insignificant' the task may seem to you. Put your all into it.

Be Patient The strongest structures are built on the best foundations and we should patiently prepare ourselves for what lies ahead.

Challenge Yourself Sometimes venture outside the box and one’s comfort zone and take risks. No risk, no reward.

Salkey with Kelly Tomblin

7. COMMUNITY

CAPTIONS: From top left: VOLTS give a facelift to the St. Ann Infirmary; Santa grants a wish at the York Town Basic School Christmas Fundraising Fiesta; handover of appliances to the York Town Basic School and a Christmas treat at the Strathmore Gardens Child Care facility.

TEAM MEMBERS across the island generously shared their time, talent and treasures during several Christmas events.

The JPS Foundation’s Clarendon-based Model School, York Town Basic, was gifted with a 15cubic Freezer and a six-burner stove early in December, purchased from funds raised earlier in the year. Later in December, a well-planned treat was held on the school grounds which treated community members to a delightful day of wholesome entertainment and gifts for the children.

Out West in St. Ann, the VOLTS were electrifying in their contributions to the St. Ann Infirmary, where a 15-cubic refrigerator was handed over and the kitchen given a facelift. The teams also treated children of two schools.

Continuing a beautiful tradition set in 2012, the Corporate Office – led by Customer Care and the JPS Foundation — set up a Giving Tree in support of the Strathmore Gardens Children’s Home in Spanish Town.

Ornaments bearing the names of the 39 children at the home were placed on the Christmas Tree in the lobby and staff were encouraged to select a name and grant a wish. Within just a few days, all the small red and gold balls were swooped up and on Monday December 23, enthusiastic volunteers delivered box loads of prettily wrapped gifts to the children at the home.

The Christmas joy was also shared with the little ones who were patients at hospitals in Region South, who received goodies at the Christmas Eve treats held at the Spanish Town, May Pen, Mandeville and Black River Hospitals.

Tying off a great season of sharing, Region East gave the JPS Foundation quite the Christmas gift when it presented $30,200 raised through staff contributions!

We thank everyone for their generosity and look forward to partnering with you in 2014!

DO YOU HAVE THE BEST EVENT IN THE HISTORY OF ALL EVENTS COMING UP? WELL, LET EVERYONE KNOW ABOUT IT...

MAXIMUM REACH! AFFORDABLE RATES! ALL FUNDS GO TO CHARITY! CONTACT THE JPS FOUNDATION TODAY FOR INFORMATION ON AD SIZES AND RATES: 935-3514/579-9090/524-1562 foundation@jpsco.com