Roy Edwards Human Development Centre

Former minister Rev. Spence with Sidney Henry of Food for the Poor and Ed Sossen Member of North Street during Sossen’s radio show “The Morning Magazine” on KIXL 970 Austin Texas.”

An Over View of the Roy Edwards Human Development Centre

The Roy Edwards Human Development Centre is the flagship of the Outreach programme of the North Street United Church. This centre is located in a part of the city of Kingston, which in 1997 was depicted by some International media as the second most dangerous sector in the world. The Church is bordered by North and Princess Streets and to the east of Luke Lane. In the early 1990’s this part of the city accounted for more than seventy percent of the violent crime in Jamaica. This community is challenged by extreme violence (domestic and gang related account for a large portion of this) chronic unemployment, and a wide spread underemployment, a high birth rate and attendant lack of proper child care facilities, child abuse and neglect, little infrastructural support for small economic enterprise, high rates of illiteracy and a pervasive sense of low self esteem. In the midst of this scenario there were many law-abiding citizens who were just seeking to live meaningful lives.

To ascertain what the community needs were some members of the Church along with the Minister at that time Rev. Anthony Bailey, canvassed the residents, conducted informal surveys of existing businesses, a possible source of support for initiatives generated in the community. A community forum was organised in the churchyard where 300 persons representing the Police, Congregational members, Area leaders, Local businesspersons, Teachers and Community residents attended. Specific suggestions were raised and discussed by the community and themselves as individuals. The major needs were identified as:

A clean, well-run, affordable Day care facility.
Skill training for women and men.
Help with entrepreneurial strategies and small business operations
Human health education/treatment/referral.

The congregation then set about converting an abandoned warehouse donated to the Church by a community Businessman, Roy Edwards, into a multi purpose facility. Vigorous fund raising ensured and within one year of the ground breaking he Roy Edwards Human resource Development Centre was opened. Major funding was received from Food For The Poor, The Kiwanis Club of New Kingston and the J.S.I.F. and S.D.C. with ongoing support from P.A.C.T.

The centre now offers Daycare facilities in the form of the Wee Angels Daycare Centre, which offers the highest quality care at affordable rates for community residents. There is a Bakery that offers employment and training opportunities for the community as well as when we become profitable, supports the operational cost of the centre. The Skills training programme suffered a setback when shortly after start up many of the factories that were employing our graduates closed down. We are currently retooling this programme to offer Information Technology classes, again suggested by the community residents. We are also constructing a Paediatric Clinic, which will emphasise Nutrition and preventative Health Care Education.

On Luke Lane we established a Carpentry/Furniture Production Centre, where young men in the community produce well built items of Furniture for the retail Stores across Kingston. In association with Food for the Poor we have also began the process of erecting modest but clean housing for the community resident most in need. Six families have already benefited from this Programme and an additional thirty families will benefit under the second larger Phase of this Programme.

ROY EDWARDS HUMAN DEVELOPMENT CENTRE

COORDINATOR’S REPORT -2005

During the past year operations at the Centre continued as before except for the change of the Executive Director from Rev. Dave Spence to Rev. Nigel Pusey and the resignation of Mrs. Elaine Christie as coordinator.

Trafficking in Person Project

This project which was funded by USAID was operated through the non-Government Organization, (P.A.C.T.) Peoples Action for Community Transformation. Young persons were trained to recognize attempts to recruit them into this type of lifestyle. In addition they were taught skills of Videography and Computer Technology which will assist them in obtaining employment. These twenty five persons who completed the programme are expected to tell other youths about Trafficking and they are still to sit a computer examination which will be accredited by the H.E.A.R.T. Foundation. It is worthy of note that one of our young ladies was approached by a trafficker offering her a job in Montego Bay but because of what she was taught she was very aware and knew how to deal with the situation.

The project ended in May 2005 and participants were given Certificates of Participation.

Wee Angels Daycare

Regrettably, as in previous years the numbers of children in attendance remained at a low average of 12 daily. This of course resulted in the need for continued financial support from the church in the meeting of salaries, etc.

It was anticipated that income from the lease of the Bakery would have been used to subsidize the daycare however this has not been fully realized and the board is taking steps to rectify the situation.

The board has also taken the decision to increase the fees to $1,000.00 weekly effective January 01, 2006.

Bakery

This facility is leased and income is to be used to subsidize the Daycare and other activities at the Centre as the need arise. The committee is discussing certain challenges with the concessionaire.

Louise Pitter Clinic

Elder McKenzie continued to meet with students from the day school to discuss various issues such as Anger Management. During the year he dealt with about 100 students as well as other persons from the community. The participants are taken on trips to various places for exposure and fellowship.

Parenting Programme

This project which is funded by Environmental Foundation of Jamaica (EFJ) is currently being undertaken in 3 schools, St Joseph Infant School, North Street Primary School and Denham Town Basic School. The classes run for 12 weeks at the end of which the parents are given Certificates of Participation. The facilitators are Mr. Andrew McKenzie, Mr. Steve Riley, Mrs. Elaine Christie and Mrs. Juliette Hamilton. Funding will last for only two years and so ways have to be identified by which this project can be sustained as it plays a very vital role in the transformation of our society as parents are taught how to relate to their children in a better way and also how to manage anger and neglect.

Quarterly reports are submitted to the Environmental Foundation of Jamaica, by Mrs. Hamilton who is the accountant.

The board met at least 4 times for the year and even though it should have been dissolved, the members have been requested to serve for another term.

Board Members are:

Rev. Nigel Pusey - Executive Chairman

Mr. Sydney England - Chairman

Mrs. Janet Coley - Secretary

Mrs. Elaine Christie - Asst. Secretary

Mrs. Viola Edwards

Mrs. Juliette Hamilton - Accountant

Mr. Radcliff Shurland Church Treasurer

Mr. Paul Miller Chairman Finance & Property

Miss Janice Minott Community Representatives