The National Parenting Support Commission (NPSC) successfully hosted its Men Who Mentor Programme Graduation Ceremony on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, at Celebration Church in Portmore, recognising the achievements of men who completed training to support effective parenting through mentorship and engagement. The ceremony marked a significant milestone for approximately 100 graduates who successfully completed the structured programme. 

The Men Who Mentor Programme is a key NPSC initiative designed to strengthen parenting support by equipping men with essential tools in effective parenting practices, mentorship strategies, and practical fieldwork. Through this process, participants are prepared to promote positive parent-child relationships and provide guidance that supports improved parenting outcomes within households. This year’s graduation was particularly significant as it marked the successful completion of training by the first all-male cohort of the Men Who Mentor Programme, a specialised component of the NPSC’s Parent Mentorship Programme. For several participants, the ceremony also represented their first formal graduation, underscoring the transformative impact of the programme and the commitment demonstrated throughout their training journey.

Chief Executive Officer of the NPSC, Ms. Kaysia Kerr, underscored the importance of engaging men in structured parenting support initiatives. “At the NPSC, we want men to know that they do not have to navigate the parenting journey alone. The Men Who Mentor Programme is a deliberate investment in equipping men with the knowledge, skills and support needed to strengthen their own parenting practices while empowering them to guide and encourage their peers. By building a network of informed male mentors, we are advancing positive parent-child relationships and strengthening parenting support within households across Jamaica.”

The programme was developed to provide men with a supportive environment in which they can strengthen their parenting strategies, share experiences, and build the confidence needed to support other fathers and parents in general. Through this approach, the NPSC continues to address barriers that often discourage men from seeking parenting support while promoting greater male involvement in effective parenting practices.

Valedictorian Ricardo Hayles reflected on the personal and collective journey of the graduates, noting that the experience extended beyond training. “This programme has challenged us to think differently about parenting and mentorship. It has equipped us with practical tools to support effective parenting and reminded us that seeking guidance is a sign of strength, not weakness. For many of us, this is our first graduation, making this moment especially meaningful. The experience has been truly empowering, and as graduates, we leave not only with new knowledge and skills, but with a renewed commitment to supporting other men and promoting positive parent-child relationships throughout our parenting journey”

The event was attended by representatives from the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information (MOESYI), members of the NPSC leadership team, programme coordinators, and other stakeholders, all of whom reaffirmed the importance of structured approaches to parenting support. The successful staging of the graduation highlights the NPSC’s continued commitment to expanding initiatives that encourage greater male participation in parenting support and mentorship while strengthening effective parenting practices across Jamaica.