JN Foundation invests $1.2m in Santa Cruz Women’s Centre to boost security, build resilience post-Melissa

ST ELIZABETH, Jamaica — Teenage mothers attending the Women's Centre of Jamaica Foundation's Santa Cruz, location in St Elizabeth are now benefiting from a safer and more secure learning environment following an investment by the JN Foundation in the construction of a perimeter fence and restoration in the facility's rainwater harvesting system. The initiatives, funded through the JN Group's ISupportJamaica Hurricane Relief Fund, forms part of the foundation's ongoing commitment to helping communities recover and build resilience in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa. In addition to the infrastructure improvements, the centre was also presented baby and personal care kits, educational kits and quilts through the JN Foundation's partnership with Lutheran World Relief, a United States-based humanitarian organisation, providing much-needed support for the teenage mothers and their children.

Speaking at the handover ceremony, Claudine Allen, general manager of the JN Foundation, said the donation reflects the organisation's commitment to supporting institutions that provide critical services to vulnerable Jamaicans. "In the wake of Hurricane Melissa, we appealed to the public to help us help those who help others. We are pleased to provide the Women's Centre of Jamaica Foundation with $1.2 million to restore its perimeter fencing and rainwater harvesting system, creating a safer environment for the young women who come here each day to continue their education and rebuild their lives," she said.

Allen noted that the investment goes beyond repairing hurricane damage. "The JN Group is deeply invested in the communities we serve. Through the JN Foundation, we have been intentional about helping Jamaica build back better.

Every restoration effort is aimed at making our partners stronger, more resilient and better equipped to recover from the impact of disasters," she stated. Allen and added that the humanitarian supplies donated through Lutheran World Relief complement the infrastructure improvements by addressing the immediate needs of the centre's beneficiaries. "Our partnership with Lutheran World Relief has enabled us to provide baby care kits, personal care kits, educational kits and quilts to support the young mothers and their children.

Partnerships like these allow us to extend our reach and continue helping those who have been most affected," she argued.