Flankers Resource Centre gets $100,000 boost

The Flankers Resource Centre (FRC) has benefited from a $100,000 donation from the Desnoes & Geddes (D&G) Foundation as part of its 100 For A Century campaign.

"This gift advances our work to help our students do well academically. We do not want the children to become involved in crime so interacting with them through homework is an important way to share positive values," said Alecia Spence, programme manager of the FRC.

Shanique Mongal, who was born in Flankers, St James, influenced the foundation's interest in the homework programme.

Mongal, a former FRC volunteer, is channel development manager at Red Stripe. The foundation encourages Red Stripe employees who are members of the D&G Foundation Club to nominate projects to be considered for the 100 For A Century campaign.

100 CENTS FROM EVERY BOTTLE

Funds to support the initiative were provided by Red Stripe, which donated 100 cents from every bottle of beer sold in July, recognised as the company's anniversary month.

"Inspired by Shanique's enthusiasm for the Flankers Resource Centre, we found similarities between the work done there and our philosophy of brewing a better Jamaica. We share the vision of a nation in which nurturing potential is everybody's business, and we are honoured to support the community and its young people," said Noel Dacosta, chairman of the foundation.

The foundation's donation will support the centre's homework programme, which provides daily support for nearly 40 students through tutoring, conflict management and healthy lifestyle education.

Started as the Flankers Peace and Justice Centre with a focus on dispute resolution, the centre has evolved to serve the community of more than 10,000 residents with a concentration on youth development. More than 60 per cent of the population is below the age of 30, and almost half of this group is deemed undereducated and unemployable.

In addition to the homework programme, the centre offers adult education night classes, computer classes, a skills training programme, and parent education programme to enhance the social, educational and economic standards of residents in the community.