GraceKennedy extends a helping hand

Responding to a plea for help, GraceKennedy Limited (GKL) recently presented much-needed funds to the Kingston branch of the Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA).

The cheque, presented by Gail Moss-Solomon, general counsel and chief corporate secretary, was received by Sarah Newland-Martin, administrator and general secretary of YMCA.

In accepting, Newland-Martin expressed her gratitude for the contribution and commended GraceKennedy for the long-standing relationship with YMCA, which she said spans more than 32 years.

She was very appreciative of the quick response by GKL to her plea for help. "We were in a very hard position last week and I cannot thank GraceKennedy enough for the help they have provided. Whenever we call on GK, they show up, and it's not only on some occasions, but every time, from when Mr Rafael Diaz was the CEO," Newland-Martin said.

BENEFICIARIES

The donation, she said, would go towards the Youth Development Programme (YDP), as well as assist in the maintenance of the facilities, including the swimming pool.

The YDP, previously known as the Street Corner Boys' Programme, caters to boys from under-resourced urban communities who are between 12 and 14 years old. Several of the programme's participants are not a part of the formal school system.

The programme aims to educate, socialise, encourage re-entrance into the school system, as well as prepare them for income-generating opportunities. Among the courses offered at the YMCA are literacy, numeracy, welding, computer technology, and swimming.

Newland-Martin explained that the YMCA made every effort to be inclusive of everyone. She pointed out that each year, there was an increase in the number of persons enrolled in the programme, which she said, was putting a strain on the YMCA's thinly stretched resources.

She appealed for additional support from corporate Jamaica as she said that every donation received would result in a monumental change for the facilities and for the children who were the main beneficiaries.

To further assist the YMCA, contact 876-926-0801, 876-754-9034 or kymca@cwjamaica.com.