The philanthropic arm of the United Parcel Service (UPS), the world's largest package-delivery company, has assisted the St Patrick's Foundation in Jamaica with much-needed resources to establish a computer lab at the charity's head office in Seaview Gardens, St Andrew.
UPS, which is also a provider of supply-chain management solutions, donated US$20,000 that has assisted in purchasing 12 computers, two of which will be utilised by the Riverton Meadows Early Childhood Centre. In addition, the children at the institution will also benefit from the construction of a perimeter fence and upgrading work to be undertaken on the facility's playground and nursery.
According to Charnley Conway, vice-president of human resources and labor relations for Canada, Latin America and the Caribbean, UPS routinely contributes to worthy projects in the countries in which it operates.
"We rely heavily on the recommendations of UPS employees in these countries. UPS Jamaica apprised us of the work of the St Patrick's Foundation in the west Kingston inner-city communities, including programmes to help the citizens gain skills, remedial education and care for the aged and nursery-school children," Conway said.
"We are pleased to provide this grant which, we have been advised, will assist on upgrading a computer lab at the St Patrick's Foundation Seaview Gardens headquarters and the upgrading of facilities at the Riverton Early Childhood Centre, including the playground and nursery," he added.
UPS founder Jim Casey established the UPS Foundation in 1951 with the mission to help build stronger and more resilient communities around the world. In 2015, the company invested nearly $2.3 million in volunteer hours and more than $110 million in their global communities.
Hermaine Metcalfe, chairman of the St Patrick's Foundation, said the community appreciated the assistance from UPS as it would ensure the sustainability and development of vulnerable children and communities.
"UPS is committed to social and community development and believes in giving to institutions like St Patrick's Foundation that are catalysts for change. Our objectives are similar because we believe in imparting relevant skills and opportunities to residents of low-income communities, thereby making possible their social and economic advancement," Metcalfe said.
St Patrick's Foundation is a non-profit, human and community development organisation established in 1994, that serves the communities of Olympic Gardens, Waterhouse, Seaview Gardens and Riverton.
"The use of computers at these locations is important because many of those we serve do not have access to these facilities. They need access to the Internet to conduct their research and to assist with their homework. It is important for their studies, especially with most of the programmes that we offer," Metcalfe added.