Wed | May 8, 2024

Miss Jenny Homework Centre paves the way in Norwood

Published:Friday | April 26, 2024 | 7:05 PM
From left: Latoya Austin, a member of the community, stands proudly alongside the 2022 Supreme Hero, Jennifer Brown; Chloleen Daley-Muschett, corporate communications and PR manager at Supreme Ventures Limited; and Barbara Black, a retired teacher and dedi
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From left: Latoya Austin, a member of the community, stands proudly alongside the 2022 Supreme Hero, Jennifer Brown; Chloleen Daley-Muschett, corporate communications and PR manager at Supreme Ventures Limited; and Barbara Black, a retired teacher and dedicated volunteer at the learning centre, as they cut the ribbon to officially inaugurate the Miss Jenny Homework Centre in Norwood, St James.

In a tangible demonstration of community empowerment, Jennifer Brown, affectionately called Miss Jenny, unveiled the culmination of her philanthropic work in Norwood, St James: the Miss Jenny Homework Centre. Constructed through the grant awarded to Brown as the inaugural winner of Supreme Ventures Foundation’s Supreme Heroes Programme in 2022, the learning hub marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing efforts to uplift and inspire the youth of Norwood.

Driven by personal tragedy, Jennifer Brown’s journey to becoming a beacon of hope in her community is deeply rooted in her unwavering commitment to turn pain into purpose. Following the tragic loss of her son, Jason Anderson, to violence in 2016, Brown navigated through grief to emerge as a tireless advocate for positive change. “I was bitter. I was angry with everybody, every single body, but I was at a [bad] place [in my life],” she shared.

Despite the heartache, Brown's resolve to make a difference never wavered, as she channelled her pain into action, dedicating herself to nurturing and guiding the youths of Norwood.

Her nomination and eventual victory in the Supreme Heroes Programme highlighted her extraordinary dedication to serving others, earning her the admiration and respect of her peers.

The unveiling of the homework centre stands as a testament to Brown's unwavering commitment to her community's future. With a vision to provide a safe haven for youth to learn, grow, and thrive, the centre embodies her enduring legacy of compassion and empowerment.

In a heartfelt speech, Brown expressed her gratitude and determination to continue her mission of service. “It has been mind-blowing. I'm so happy, and I'm still in disbelief, but I have to give thanks to God just the same as well as [to] the persons who nominated me, Change Makers, and a big thanks to Supreme Ventures Foundation. Without you all, this wouldn't have been possible," she said, her voice filled with emotion.

Heather Goldson, director of the Supreme Ventures Foundation, shared, “Miss Jenny’s unwavering dedication to her community is truly inspiring. Her commitment to uplifting others exemplifies the spirit of the Supreme Heroes Programme. We are proud to have played a part in making her vision of a homework centre come to fruition, and will continue to support initiatives that empower individuals like Jennifer to make a tangible difference in their communities."

As for her plans going forward, Brown outlined her ambitious goals to further support the educational needs of the community. “There are a lot of children that have projects and other homework that need to be done, some of which parents have no extra funds to go into town to do, and some children who are struggling in school. I am going to seek out help from teachers who may be able to do some charity work to help those kids in whatever areas they need improvement. But not just for the kids. I also plan to extend classes to the young men and women who didn't get the chance to finish school. I'll host some night classes for them and daytime classes for the children."

The centre, now open and ready to make that difference in Norwood, stands as a testament to the power of community-driven initiatives and the resilience of individuals like Jennifer Brown.