New Horizon puts $1 million grant to good use

Training and manufacturing activities are set to expand at St Catherine-based New Horizon Christian Outreach Ministries following the addition of a high-tech computer numerical control (CNC) machine to their production line.

The community-based philanthropic organisation made the purchase through a $1 million grant won in the Desnoes & Geddes (D&G) Foundation's '6 for 60' competition last year.

The team is excited to take its glass recycling operation to the next level.

"Previously, we had to do much of our work by hand. We used manual grinders, files and oxy-fuel torches to make different products. We can reduce the time spent on hand-cutting using the CNC machine. Cutting more complex parts for moulds to build pots and other items has become much easier," said executive director Michael Barnett.

Over the last two decades, New Horizon has championed social transformation in the Golden Acres community and surrounding areas through faith-based interventions and providing skills training and employment opportunities to unattached youth. In recent times, environmental conservation has been at the forefront of their initiatives, experimenting with using recycled glass, metal and other materials to make practical items like fence posts and concrete tiles, and decorative items.

"This 6 for 60 win has given us a big leap to educate trainees on the opportunities they can get once trained in the field. The people involved in the programme have been very excited about learning something new, meeting new people, visiting new places and expanding their skillset. So we have been taking the opportunity to re-engage young people in the community after COVID," programme administrator Sophia Barnett said.

Barnett was full of hope as she noted that the team's step is to forge more partnerships to expand the programme and offer training to larger quantities of unattached youth.

"The only thing I can say to the D&G Foundation is to keep doing what you're doing and do more. I think it's fantastic that they've taken this initiative. I'm glad they did it for Jamaica 60, and I hope they will continue and grow from strength to strength."

D&G Foundation, through its accountant Dennis Beckford, said it is proud of the strides being made by the winners of the '6 for 60' competition. Horizons Christian Outreach Ministries is one of six community-based philanthropic organisations awarded $1 million each in 2023 towards their development initiatives.

"In the case of New Horizon, we have seen where the grant has led to concrete results and tangible benefits for the recipients as they have been able to buy a machine which will undoubtedly bolster their operations. This is a testament to the initiative's success, and we couldn't be prouder of all the beneficiaries who are making worthwhile contributions to community development islandwide," Beckford said.