A resilient Flankers Community Development Centre has marched through turbulent circumstances to be one of seven community organizations short listed for the coveted Michael Manley Awards for .JPG)
Community Self-Reliance and has won.
Responding to what it meant to be nominated for such an award, centre director of the Flanker Community Development Centre, Marilyn Nash explained: “It is really a milestone for us because I think we work very hard at what we do in the community. Even if we don’t win, but to be short listed for this award means that we are doing something right.”
The non-government organization (NGO) was established in Flankers, Montego Bay seven years ago with the help of the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) to carry out a social conflict and legal reform project.
But mediation on its own, according to Mrs. Nash, could not solve the problems of crime, poor parenting, teenage pregnancy, lack of education and employment and low self-esteem. As such, the Flanker Community Development Centre was conceptualized, which has played an integral role in the community’s development, peace management and violence prevention initiatives.
In keeping with their motto ‘To enhance the social, educational, and economical standards of the residents, while building and maintaining community pride’, Mrs. Nash stated that the residents have been instrumental in the centre’s success.
“The centre is just not what goes on in the building but what we do in the community. It is owned by the community members who take an active part in every aspect of the centre’s operation.”
She added that the private sector and other government agencies such as the Ministries of National Security and Health have also played a significant role in the centre’s ability to execute its duties.
However, the NGO continues to experience challenges in raising funds according to the centre director.
“We are always dependent on funding from wherever we can get it in order to continue our programmes. Despite this challenge, this committed volunteer envisions the Flankers Community Development Centre as a model for other community centres in Jamaica,” Mrs. Nash noted.
Pastor of the Flankers Open Bible and Cornwall Division Superintendent for the Open Bible Churches of Jamaica, Reverend Glendon Powell, commended the efforts of social intervention by the centre. But he suggested that the church must be involved in the process.
“I cannot over emphasize the importance of merging spiritual and social intervention to have a greater impact on the community. Some of the social programmes should be channeled through the church,” stressed Rev. Powell.
The Flankers Community Development Centre, which also operates as a Peace and Justice centre, is an epitome for mediation centres across the island, as residents are able to access the services whether by court or community appointed mediation sessions.
Currently, over 140 residents from the community have been trained as mediators.
“Me give thanks the day when a centre come here because when Flankers got violent last year, Mrs. Nash help fi maintain the peace inna di community. The children can come here and get schoolwork done, use the computers and library here, so the community is really grateful to have this place (community centre),” resident Lorna Foster.
Activities at the Flankers Community Development Centre include a parenting programme where 13 parenting coaches work with 10 parents each to offer training on proper parenting over a six to eight-month period; homework club that facilitates students who attend shift schools and are involved in various educational activities before or after school; a senior citizens club, continuing studies training program, Sandals START skills training and a youth sports programme.
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Community Self-Reliance and has won.Responding to what it meant to be nominated for such an award, centre director of the Flanker Community Development Centre, Marilyn Nash explained: “It is really a milestone for us because I think we work very hard at what we do in the community. Even if we don’t win, but to be short listed for this award means that we are doing something right.”
The non-government organization (NGO) was established in Flankers, Montego Bay seven years ago with the help of the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) to carry out a social conflict and legal reform project.
But mediation on its own, according to Mrs. Nash, could not solve the problems of crime, poor parenting, teenage pregnancy, lack of education and employment and low self-esteem. As such, the Flanker Community Development Centre was conceptualized, which has played an integral role in the community’s development, peace management and violence prevention initiatives.
In keeping with their motto ‘To enhance the social, educational, and economical standards of the residents, while building and maintaining community pride’, Mrs. Nash stated that the residents have been instrumental in the centre’s success.
“The centre is just not what goes on in the building but what we do in the community. It is owned by the community members who take an active part in every aspect of the centre’s operation.”
She added that the private sector and other government agencies such as the Ministries of National Security and Health have also played a significant role in the centre’s ability to execute its duties.
However, the NGO continues to experience challenges in raising funds according to the centre director.
“We are always dependent on funding from wherever we can get it in order to continue our programmes. Despite this challenge, this committed volunteer envisions the Flankers Community Development Centre as a model for other community centres in Jamaica,” Mrs. Nash noted.
Pastor of the Flankers Open Bible and Cornwall Division Superintendent for the Open Bible Churches of Jamaica, Reverend Glendon Powell, commended the efforts of social intervention by the centre. But he suggested that the church must be involved in the process.
“I cannot over emphasize the importance of merging spiritual and social intervention to have a greater impact on the community. Some of the social programmes should be channeled through the church,” stressed Rev. Powell.
The Flankers Community Development Centre, which also operates as a Peace and Justice centre, is an epitome for mediation centres across the island, as residents are able to access the services whether by court or community appointed mediation sessions.
Currently, over 140 residents from the community have been trained as mediators.
“Me give thanks the day when a centre come here because when Flankers got violent last year, Mrs. Nash help fi maintain the peace inna di community. The children can come here and get schoolwork done, use the computers and library here, so the community is really grateful to have this place (community centre),” resident Lorna Foster.
Activities at the Flankers Community Development Centre include a parenting programme where 13 parenting coaches work with 10 parents each to offer training on proper parenting over a six to eight-month period; homework club that facilitates students who attend shift schools and are involved in various educational activities before or after school; a senior citizens club, continuing studies training program, Sandals START skills training and a youth sports programme.
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With head bowed, Kitty Kat waited to serve, to do her masters bidding. He looked down at her, and muttered something in Japanese.