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JAMPACT OVERVIEW - Promise. Potential.
Progress
What is JAMPACT?
Jamaica Impact Inc. ("JAMPACT") is a certified 501(C)
3 non-profit organization consisting of a diverse group of young
Jamaican professionals, students and friends of Jamaica. Our philosophy
is to use our collective energies, intelligence and resources
as a catalyst for progress in Jamaica.
What is JAMPACT's Mission?
Our main objective is to make positive contributions towards the
improvement of social and economic conditions in Jamaica.
Our slogan reflects our commitment to creating
change in Jamaica. JAMPACT works towards achieving it's mission
in two distinct ways, through:
- Contribution to the policy debate on economic
growth and education.
- Tangible contributions to needy organizations
in Jamaica.
KEY ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Our key accomplishments to date include:
- Successful conferences and panel discussions
on issues of national importance.
- Substantial financial contributions to educational
and charitable institutions, helping to improve educational
opportunities and quality of life for Jamaicans.
- Stimulating involvement in civic life among
our young people.
Conferences
In keeping with our goal of stimulating constructive dialogue
on development, JAMPACT has hosted three major conferences to
date:
• JAMPACT's 3rd Annual Conference looked
at issues surrounding "Challenges To Nation Building: Values,
Environment And Economy".
Held June 2002, the main features of the Conference were the two
panel discussions and the keynote presentation during the luncheon.
The first panel discussion "Rebuilding Our Values & Attitudes",
examined the socio-economic factors that influence the values
& attitudes of Jamaicans and some of the steps necessary to
preserve the principled Jamaican values that we were taught as
children. The second panel discussion, "Enhancing Jamaica's
Tourism Product", focused on using culture and community
tourism to diversify and enrich Jamaica's tourist product. The
event stimulated much discussion among participants and saw heated
debate in both panel discussions, as participants made their contributions
towards finding solutions for some of the challenges currently
facing Jamaica.
The conference attracted approximately 100 participants
and several distinguished guests, including Consul General of
Jamaica to New York, Dr. the Hon. Basil Bryan and Keynote Speaker,
Dr. The Hon. Vin Lawrence, Chairman of the Urban Development Corporation.
•"Turning The Tide: Perspectives On
Reclaiming Jamaica" Jampact 2nd Annual Conference.
In May 2001, representatives of Jamaica's economic, political,
academic, cultural and religious sectors came together to discuss
"Turning the Tide: Perspectives on Reclaiming Jamaica".
The event featured a keynote address by Hon. Barbara Gloudon,
co-host of Jamaica's leading public affairs talk show "Hotline",
on the topic of pride and nationalism, which was met with resounding
applause. Other highlights included a roundtable on Jamaica's
future entitled, "Jamaica 2010: Visions For The Future".
This discussion featured a diverse group of speakers representing
leadership from all walks of life: dancehall artist Bounty Killer;
Dr. Peter-John Gordon, Planning Institute of Jamaica; Sandra Glasgow,
Entrepreneurial Center, UTECH; Dr. David Panton, Jamaica Labour
Party; Basil Waite, People's National Party and Reverend Dennis
Dillon, Christian Time.
The morning discussion "Urban Renewal:
A Partnership for Revitalization", looked at how the public
and private sectors can work together to improve and reinvigorate
Jamaica's cities. Panelists included Howard Hamilton, Jamaica's
Public Defender; Victor Cummings, KSAC; Onika Miller, Ministry
of Local Government and Menelik Alleyne, Upper Manhattan Empowerment
Zone, who shared his perspective on Harlem as an example of successful
urban renewal.
• "Creating an Economic Renaissance
in Jamaica": This successful conference, held in May 2000,
attracted over 125 participants and stimulated debate on investing
in and returning to Jamaica. The Keynote Speaker Senator Douglas
Orane, Chairman & CEO Grace Kennedy & Co., addressed the
enormous opportunity for Jamaican culture and products overseas.
Other panelists included Hon. Anthony Hylton, Minister of Foreign
Trade, Jamaica; Dr. Nigel Clarke, Director, Caribbean Investment
Fund; Claudette Chin, Vice President, JAMPRO; Donna Duncan, Managing
Director, Jamaica Money Market Brokers and several Jamaican entrepreneurs.
Panel Discussions
JAMPACT has hosted a series of panel discussions to keep the community
informed on current issues, including the following:
• The Changing Immigration Laws in the
United States - Irwine Clare and Winston Tucker of Caribbean Immigrant
Services gave valuable insight into how these changes will affect
Jamaicans in the future. Crime, Poverty and The Financial Challenges
in Jamaica - Professors Norman Girvan, University of the West
Indies and Donald Robotham, City University of New York spoke
of Jamaica's struggles over the last twenty years and the consensus
approach needed to meet the challenges ahead.
• The Effects of Globalization On The Caribbean
- joint panel discussion with HC/QC, a Barbadian alumni association
focusing on the cultural and technological changes necessary to
harness the global economy.
Charitable Contributions
With over $40,000 donated in just 3 years, our charitable activities
support JAMPACT's mission by marshaling resources internationally
to serve the needs of Jamaican organizations with proven results
in improving quality of life and education in Jamaica.
• JAMPACT Grants: Over $14,000US raised
in the last two years for JAMPACT grants to Jamaican charities.
Since our inception in 1998, community action has been an integral
part of JAMPACT's mission. Using funds from our annual raffle,
each year JAMPACT evaluates and awards grants to Jamaican charities
that are in alignment with our mission of promoting progress through
education. To formalize our donation process and advance our goal
of supporting charities directly impacting the Jamaican community,
JAMPACT's fundraising committee established a grant-giving process
and invites proposals from education and social development-related
Jamaican non-profit organizations. We focus on supporting activities
that make a contribution in one of the following key areas:
- Expanding literacy
- Improving computer and Internet access in
schools
- Teacher training
- Improvement of educational facilities and
infrastructure & character and leadership development
- Development of conflict resolution skills
• $20,000US in Scholarship Funding: Partnering with a private
donor, JAMPACT awarded scholarships valued at $20,000US, supporting
nine (9) student teachers in the joint Shortwood Teachers College/University
of South Florida Master's in Early Childhood Education Program.
• JAMPACT and Friends Maxfield Park Fundraiser
& Auction: Raised over $4000US, which was donated to the orphanage
which houses approximately 225 children and help supply them with
books and clothes.
• Hospital Cash Donation: To the St. Thomas
Infirmary in Jamaica.
• Basic School Adoption: Ongoing financial
assistance is provided to the Mount Olive, Crescent Road, St.
Stephens and Coles Basic Schools in Kingston, Jamaica.
• Christmas Toy Drives & Treats: Held
annually since 1999, the treats provide gifts and a Christmas
party for students at our adopted basic schools as well as a wonderful
opportunity for our members to interact with the students.
To join JAMPACT, get
more information, or to see our Action plan for 2003, please visit
their website http://www.jampact.org/
or contact them by email: jampact2000@yahoo.com.
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