Collective Impact
Our "Collective Impact" initiative supports direct response projects through microgrants and collaboration with other local organizations. We prioritize projects based in early childhood institutions, primary schools, and small community-based organizations.
Music Appreciation workshop with alpha Institute (Spring 2023)
Cornerstone Jamaica co-hosted a Music Appreciation Workshop on Saturday, April 22nd, with Alpha School of Music and Jamaica Nice. Each Partner School sent a representative who possessed a passion for music and aimed to introduce or improve music appreciation in their classrooms. The interactive workshop was led by Mr. Clayon Samuels, a senior music instructor at Alpha Institute, who provided teachers with tools and activities to promote music appreciation in their schools. We thank Mr. Samuels and Mr. Josh Chamberlain at Alpha Institute for their visionary work and continued commitment to empowering future generations through music education and skills training. We would also like to acknowledge Jamaica Nice, an apparel company supporting music education, for their assistance in covering Mr. Samuels' travel expenses. The workshop was well-received by our teachers, who returned to school with renewed energy and excitement.
Washroom facilities at One post Early Childcare Instiute (Winter 2023)
Way up in the hills of Westmoreland sits One Post-Early Childhood Institute. For nearly 100 years, One Post ECI has served generations of families in the Darliston area. This one-room schoolhouse educates children under five to prepare for primary school.
A local partner called upon Cornerstone Jamaica to assist One Post with updating their restroom facilities from a pit latrine to a proper restroom. In February, we provided the school with the necessary materials to build a safe and hygienic washroom for the school. See below for before and after!
Rocky Hill Early Childhood Institute (Spring 2022)
In partnership with the Rotary Club of Negril, Cornerstone Jamaica supported necessary upgrades to the playground equipment and classroom tables and chairs at the Rocky Hill Early Childhood Institute. As all early childhood centers return to face to face learning, many buildings, classrooms, and activity spaces need some support after sitting vacant during the Covid-19 pandemic. This small but mighty project brought smiles and love to this school community.
Back-to-school backpack distribution in russia community, Savanna-la-Mar
Cornerstone Jamaica member Ricardo Flemming has spearheaded efforts to provide back-to-school backpacks and educational supplies to disadvantaged children during the summers of 2020 and 2021. Due to sporadic violence and the COVID-19 pandemic's adverse effects, life in Russia can be significantly disrupted, with children bearing a significant brunt. Ricardo, with Cornerstone Jamaica's backing, aims to alleviate some of the financial burdens faced by parents and caregivers in the area by supplying educational resources to those in need. The initiative also serves as a reminder of the importance of education and encourages continued learning, both in-person and remotely, despite the obstacles. The program was a safe and successful way to give back to the community.
We are looking to do this project again in August 2023. Connect with us if you would like to support!
Container of love (Summer 2021)
“Container of Love” was created to meet the needs of various Partner Schools, organizations, and communities. The Covid-19 pandemic increased inequities across communities in Jamaica, requiring the institutions and organizations we support to have more needs and serve more families. In the summer of 2021, we filled a 40-foot container with various requested items to support our Partner’s Schools and communities in Westmoreland and Hanover.
At the height of the pandemic, with lots of community volunteer support, over 4,000 individuals were impacted after we distributed thousands of dollars of items to 11 primary schools, six community organizations, and four early childcare centers.
In addition to our flagship program, See Better. Learn Better, we love to support other individuals and non-profit organizations whose missions promote health and wellness in Jamaican Communities. Below are some of the projects we have collaborated with:
JAHJAH Foundation: Sponsored transportation for doctors volunteering at Savanna-La-Mar Hospital During the height of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Jamaica in December 2021
Westmoreland Youth Parish Council: Sponsored Health Fairs in Llandilo, Westmoreland in 2020 and 2021.
Women’s Centre of Jamaica: Provided nearly $5,000 worth of education and childcare supplies for young mothers in Summer 2021.