News Stories

Marcia Forbes Named United Way Of Jamaica's New Chairman

Dr Marcia Forbes, Executive Chairperson of Phase Three Productions is the new Chair of the Board of United Way of Jamaica. She succeeds Ian Forbes, who served as Chairman for five years.

WLI Gives J$1M to United Way of Jamaica

Kingston, Sept. 25, 2017: The Women’s Leadership Initiative (WLI) has donated J$1-M to the United Way of Jamaica (UWJ), designating the funds in support of the Woman Inc Crisis Centre.

In making the donation, WLI Chair, Chorvelle Johnson said that “as an organization focused on improving the welfare of girls and women in Jamaica, the WLI is pleased to support the Woman Inc Crisis Centre which provides a safe haven for women who have been victims of domestic violence.”

Volunteerism: Importance, value, benefits

By:Alvaro Casserly

The following is the lightly edited text of an address to the Kiwanis Club of Kingston on Tuesday, March 22, 2016:

The Kiwanis Club of Kingston, the first Kiwanis Club in Jamaica is the leader of Kiwanis in Jamaica. On June 5, 2012, I had the pleasure of attending The Kiwanis Foundation of Jamaica launch of its book, Kiwanis in Jamaica 1964-2009, by Professor Patrick Bryan, of the University of the West Indies. It is an excellent book that I treasure. May I extend warm congratulations on the Kiwanis Club of Kingston’s 52nd anniversary.

United Way of Jamaica Receives Charities Authority Certification

The United Way of Jamaica (UWJ) announced at its monthly Executive Committee Meeting on April 24, 2014 that the organisation is now registered with the Charities Authority as stipulated by the CharitiesAct 2013.

The UWJ is an autonomous non-profit Private Voluntary Organisation and an affiliate of United Way Worldwide. The United Way of Jamaica is focused on the building blocks for a good life; education, health and income generation and seeks to mobilize resources which are used to positively impact and improve lives across Jamaica.

The United Way of Jamaica introduces an easier way to: Give, Advocate and Volunteer

The United Way of Jamaica (UWJ) has implemented a more efficient and effective system that is able to more accurately capture and disseminate information about donors. The Donor Perfect Online Fundraising Software has replaced our manual based system which has resulted in the provision of more timely data and an easier way of donating.

This system enables the United Way secretariat to:

United Way Supports Early Childhood Education

Chairman of The United Way of Jamaica Mr. Ian Forbes and President/CEO Mrs. Winsome Wilkins, presented a cheque in the amount of one million, five hundred thousand dollars ($1,500,000) to the Executive Director of the Early Childhood Commission (ECC) Dr. Joan Reid. This grant was issued under the project “Restore Early Childhood Institutions" to assist in the repairs/ reconstruction of the roof at the Flemmings Basic School, Seaforth, St. Thomas. The damages sustained by the institution were as a result of the passage of Hurricane Sandy in October 2012.

United Way of Jamaica and Alco Foundation- Career Enhancement Programme

The United Way of Jamaica (UWJ) on the behalf of the Alco Foundation/Career Enhancement Programme will be disbursing funds to sixty (60) students from Vere Technical, Lennon and Winston Jones High Schools. They will receive tuition and fees to undertake at least two (2) CXC subjects during the 2013/2014 sitting of the examinations.

United Way Supports Wellness

On September 8, 2013, United Way of Jamaica (UWJ) demonstrated its continued commitment to health with the handover of seed funding for the Jamaica Cancer Society’s Prostate Awareness Programme.

UWJ has partnered with the Society in previous years to increase awareness of Prostate Cancer and provide screening for approximately one hundred and twenty (120) men.

United Way of Jamaica is committed to the promotion of healthy lifestyle among the population in an effort to support a better quality of life.

More than 9700 lives impacted

On September 11, 2013, United Way of Jamaica (UWJ) handed over funding support of J$3.5 million to eleven (11) organisations which will impact the lives of approximately 10,000 persons. Beneficiaries spanned from fourteen (14) communities across the island. Projects funded were in the areas of education, community development, skills training, agriculture, health and income generation.

Investing in the Youth

United Way of Jamaica invested in the Annual CVSS Summer Games, held on July 12, 2013 at the University of the West Indies, Mona Bowl.

The games brought together more than 950 youth competitors from sixteen (16) agencies participating in track and field, basketball, netball, football and traditional games such as tug of war and needle and thread.