Local Partners

The Child Development Agency (CDA) is the Executive Agency of the Ministry of Health which has responsibility for providing a stable and nurturing living environment for children who are in need of care and protection. The Child Development Agency (CDA) is responsible for providing a stable and nurturing living environment for children who are in need of care and protection. They engage in child-friendly policies and ground-breaking programmes to strengthen families. The CDA receives and investigates reports of abuse, neglect and abandonment. 

Danny Williams School for the Deaf is operated by the Jamaica Association for the Deaf, with limited support from the Government of Jamaica. The school opened in the 1970s, triggered by the Rubella Outbreak in 1965, which left many children with impaired hearing. The Danny Williams School for the Deaf has a staff of teachers and deaf-culture facilitators, who are themselves deaf adults, versed in the Jamaican Sign Language and deaf culture, which they impart to the students. The atmosphere in the school is happy and family-like, bursting with the energy of the young students, who range from zero to six years old in the preschool and from six to twelve years old in the primary school. Despite its limited resources, this school exudes a celebration of life, love and commitment to the development of the students. 

Grace Kennedy Foundation strives to have a positive impact on the quality of people’s lives. They actively promotes well being, primarily by supporting educational and environmental programmes and processes. It was established in 1982 to mark the 60th anniversary of GraceKennedy & Company Limited. The Foundation began with an initial grant of $500,000 provided by its parent company, and with Sir Herbert Duffus as its Chairman. The first few years were formative in nature. The early months were spent in developing policy guidelines and identifying areas. For the first three years, the Foundation focused on three specific areas of interest. These were: community service, education and Jamaica’s heritage. Initially, the Foundation responded to requests received, rather than attempting to initiate activities.

Help Jamaica is an organization out of Germany that works to raise funds in order to support and establish libraries and education projects in Jamaica.  They aim to build libraries and education projects in deprived Jamaican communities.  They aspire to provide free education, especially for children and youths who otherwise don’t have access to books and computers and do not have the means to provide adequately for their education.

Holy Family Primary & Infant School, formerly known as East Branch Elementary School is located in the “Southside” section of Kingston, Jamaica. This school was founded in 1890. The School is in an area faced with deprivations, where opportunities are few. The economic circumstances from which most of the pupils come are one of dismal need and poverty. Most pupils come from families in this community, which are single parent female-headed households with low wages, under-employment and unemployment.

J-FLAG is the Jamaican Forum of Lesbians, All-Sexuals, and Gays.  J-FLAG is the foremost organization advocating for, and working to improve the human rights situation of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) persons in Jamaica. The organization promotes social change by empowering the LGBTI to increase tolerance and create the foundation for policy and legislative reform.

Joy and Hope Movement is an outlet for the children of Stony Hill, to develop skill, sportsmanship, discipline, leadership, and social awareness in a nurturing environment.

Kingston College is an all boys’ traditional high school located in Kingston, Jamaica. Kingston College is also referred to as “KC” and is well known for the loyalty of its students and alumni who proudly display what is known as the “Fortis Spirit” of determination and perseverance.  These qualities are enshrined in the school’s motto, “Fortis Cadere Cedere non Potest” which is Latin for “The Brave May Fall but Never Yield.” The school is noted for a strong academic and sports tradition.

Life Yard is a Community Based Organization as as well as Social Enterprise.  They operate a run an urban farm, a restaurant, juice bar and education workshops for the local kids in the Kingston community. As Rastafari community , they worship the way ancient African/Ethiopians spirituality by the teachings and principles of His Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie 1 & Hon Rt Marcus Garvey. They welcome you to join us for a meal, a workshop, farming , a celebration or one of their tours of Kingston and the local area.

Manifesto Jamaica is a youth-powered social enterprise, whose philosophy is education, exposure and empowerment through art and culture. They design and implement multi-disciplinary arts education and entrepreneurship programmes intended to inspire and uplift, while alleviating apathy, poverty and social exclusion. The mission of Manifesto Jamaica is to develop and attract opportunities for young people that inspire creativity, productivity and elevated consciousness, by harnessing the talents of nation builders.

Mico University College Child Assessment and Research in Education (CARE) Centre is Jamaica's leading public education institution, which offers the highest quality diagnostic and therapeutic intervention services for children with exceptionalities, as well as providing specialized support and education for parents, teachers and other caregivers. It advocates for the early identification of all students who have special needs; early intervention where necessary in the learning experience of  children; the enrichment and improvement in the delivery of special education in Jamaica and the English-speaking Caribbean.

Mustard Seed Communities is dedicated to caring for the most vulnerable populations in Jamaica. They provide loving and lifelong care to children and adults with disabilities, children affected by HIV/AIDS, and young mothers in crisis. They manages sustainable agriculture initiatives and provide education, nutrition, and skills training programs in order to improve the economic, social, and spiritual conditions within marginalized communities.

Paint Jamaica is the incredible art & social intervention taking over Kingston's streets, uplifting communities through democratic street art. The artists create murals in unexpected places and in unexpected ways, with the objective to transform the visual spaces, shed light and bring more pride to marginalized neighbourhoods. The community inspires all murals: we interview and connect with local residents and hear what they have to say.

RISE Life Management Services works with young people and other vulnerable populations to provide empowerment to make healthy lifestyle choices in a supportive and rehabilitative environment.  They utilize educational, vocational and health-related services for at-risk populations, including those suffering from addictive disorders, in order to facilitate healthy and productive lifestyle choices.

The University of the West Indies (UWI) at Mona Jamaica, School of Social Work.  UWI offers both undergraduate and graduate degrees in social work. Students not only learn the theory but have multiple opportunities to acquire practice skills in working with individuals especially children and their families, groups and communities. The focus is on strengthening problem-solving skills, promoting self-determination and working with allies to secure resources to make dreams a reality. Students and staff members in the Social Work Programme at the UWI, Mona have been involved in a range of activities including early childhood development, school social work as well as various outreach activities done in collaboration with numerous social service agencies.

Run Free strives to create a space where the young men can tell their own stories; about their lives, which are considered "at-risk" and about their home town, which some consider a "ghetto". Using the grace, flow and style of Parkour, participants explore the challenges and obstacles they face growing up in an age of unprecedented and unpredictable change. Participants in the Run Free project are young men, ages 13 to 21, from Parade Gardens in central Kingston, Jamaica. The initiative is conceptualized, financed and implemented through collaboration between the British Council, Glasgow Parkour Coaching, Manifesto Jamaica and the National Theatre of Scotland.

Woodford Homework and Learning Centre serve approximately 150 children annually. The community of Woodford is a rural farming district tucked away in the hills of east rural St Andrew.   They uphold the Jamaican traditions of community, self-help and self-reliance.

Women’s Centre of Jamaica Foundation works with adolescent mothers to help them to continue their education while pregnant and help them to reintegrated into the formal school system at the appropriate time. The centre provides adolescent mother’s with a nursery and professional caregivers for the care of the baby while attending classes in order to complete their education postpartum.

Kingston YMCA is a non-profit, non-governmental organisation that was founded in June 1920. It is a family oriented organisation which seeks to promote the welfare of young people through spiritual, social, intellectual, and physical activities, geared to the development of spirit, mind and body. The objective of these programs available is to develop the urban and suburban community through a process of empowerment with the provision of Skills Training, Academic, Personal and Family Development, Reproductive Health, Instilling Christian Principles and Social Development Activities.