On the latest charity banquet in Miami, the American Friends of Jamaica (AFJ) introduced a beneficiant donation of over $100 million (roughly US$650,000) to assist numerous social initiatives and organizations in Jamaica.
The event, held on April 5, marked one other milestone within the AFJ’s ongoing efforts to help native Jamaican teams in want. Lee Issa and Paul Issa have been additionally honored on the gala.
Based on AFJ Government Director Caron Chung, the group organizes two main fundraisers yearly in america to generate funds for Jamaican social initiatives. “One is held in Miami in April or Might, and the opposite in New York, normally in October. Proceeds from each these galas are mixed to fund our discretionary grants program. In November, we put out an announcement inviting candidates to submit their purposes for grants by AFJ,” Chung defined.
Throughout the occasion, AFJ acknowledged two esteemed honorees for his or her contributions to nation-building. Lee Issa, chairman of {Couples} Resort, and Paul Issa, chairman of the Issa Belief Basis, have been celebrated for his or her work and dedication to Jamaica.
This yr, the AFJ acquired 79 grant purposes, that are reviewed by a stringent course of, Chung added. “We’ve got a really stringent course of. We announce it on social media, on the radio, and on the tv. On our web site, afj.org, the appliance is discovered there, and the record of standards. Entities must be registered charities in Jamaica and must have a board of administrators with somebody accountable for finance,” she stated.
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By means of its funding program, AFJ continues to have a major affect on social growth, healthcare, and early childhood training initiatives in Jamaica. Chung emphasised, “All of us come collectively and we contribute to the nation-building of this nation. The onus will not be solely on Authorities and personal sector. The Authorities, personal sector philanthropists, all of us have a task to play on this, and the AFJ has been contributing considerably through the years to programmes in Jamaica.”
Prime Minister Andrew Holness served as the primary speaker on the gala, accompanied by Senators Audrey Marks and Delano Seiveright, in addition to numerous authorities ministers. Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava was additionally current on the occasion.
In whole, AFJ awarded US$740,000 in grants to 54 grantees, supporting a number of initiatives throughout the island. These initiatives embody training, music, sports activities, healthcare, expertise coaching, gender-based violence packages, arts, coding, veterinary care, environmental safety, school-feeding packages, and peace-building efforts, amongst others.
On the AFJ’s awards ceremony held on the U.S. Embassy in Kingston on April 8, certificates have been offered to the grantees. Minister of Training, Abilities, Youth, and Data, Senator Dr. the Hon. Dana Morris Dixon, praised AFJ for its continued legacy of assist. “For over 4 many years, the American Associates of Jamaica have remained a pillar of assist for our nation. Their legacy is etched into the partitions of our hospitals, the school rooms of our faculties, and the hearts of our folks,” Dr. Morris Dixon stated.
She additional emphasised the significance of partnerships within the nation’s growth, stating, “We’d like companions just like the AFJ who perceive that sustainable growth and transformation in training are constructed on belief, collaboration, and long-term funding.”
AFJ President Wendy Hart additionally highlighted the significance of collaboration between authorities, funders, and NGOs. “We’re at our strongest when authorities, funders and NGOs can work collectively. It’s also necessary that all of us proceed to prioritise impression,” she famous.
Cost d’Affaires Amy Tachco expressed her admiration for the AFJ’s unwavering dedication, stating, “Your generosity and dedication proceed to make a profound impression, guaranteeing important assets attain those that want them most.”
Based in 1982, AFJ is a 501(c)(3) non-profit group that has been instrumental in offering monetary assist to Jamaican charities, significantly within the areas of training, healthcare, and financial growth.
