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CIBC Caribbean Jamaica continues to demonstrate what it means to be a purpose-driven organisation, as its team actively brings the bank’s regional Culture of Care to life through meaningful, hands-on support for communities across the island.

Rooted in the principle of caring for self, colleagues, clients, and community, the initiative has evolved beyond philosophy into sustained, tangible action driven by employees who are shaping a culture defined by compassion, service, and impact.

In recent months, the Jamaica team has delivered a series of impactful initiatives, including coordinated blood drives in Kingston and Montego Bay, alongside ongoing relief efforts supporting families affected by Hurricane Melissa.

During the Valentine’s season, team members stepped forward to donate blood, resulting in 42 registrations and 32 successful donations — each with the potential to save up to three lives, impacting approximately 96 individuals. The drives underscored the team’s commitment to giving back in ways that are both immediate and life-saving.

Mesha Bullock, Senior Manager, Digital Sales and Support, Digital Banking Centre, Technology, Infrastructure & Innovation at CIBC Caribbean, who led coordination for the blood drive initiative, underscored the power of unified action: “What makes these efforts truly meaningful is the willingness of our team to step forward and contribute in real, tangible ways. From donating blood to packing care packages, every action adds up. When individuals come together with a shared purpose, the impact is powerful—and that’s exactly what we’re seeing across our Culture of Care initiatives.”

Beyond these efforts, the bank deepened its disaster response through a large-scale relief initiative executed in partnership with Food For The Poor Jamaica. A total of 500 care packages were distributed to families across Jamaica still grappling with the aftermath of the hurricane, many of whom continue to face economic hardship, displacement, and limited access to essential supplies.

In a show of employee-driven action, CIBC Caribbean transformed its New Kingston branch into a temporary packing centre, where staff volunteers assembled the care packages. Once completed, the packages were distributed through Food For The Poor Jamaica to priority communities.

Each package contained clothing, sanitation items, and personal care products — carefully selected to provide dignity, comfort, and practical support to families navigating post-hurricane recovery.

Head of Country, CIBC Caribbean Jamaica, Annique Dawkins, emphasised that these efforts reflect a deeper organisational commitment:  At CIBC Caribbean, our Culture of Care is not a statement, it is a standard we hold ourselves to every day. It is reflected in how we show up for our communities, especially in moments of need. Whether we are supporting families on the road to recovery, giving blood to save lives, or standing in solidarity with each other, our actions are intentional and impact-driven. This is how we create meaningful change by embedding care into everything we do and building stronger, more resilient communities across Jamaica.”

The team has also remained actively engaged in targeted community outreach, focusing on areas such as Darliston in Westmoreland and Brandon Hill in Clarendon. Through additional donation drives, staff collected and assembled essential supplies, including food items, toiletries, infant supplies, and adult care products for vulnerable households.

To date, more than 87 additional care packages have been prepared through these grassroots efforts, supporting dozens of families, including households with children and elderly members.

These initiatives have complemented wider regional recovery support activated by CIBC Caribbean, including the establishment of a Barbados Defence Force (BDF) field hospital at the Savanna-la-Mar Public General Hospital in late 2025. Staffed by over 60 medical professionals and equipped with critical care facilities, the hospital has played a vital role in strengthening healthcare delivery in western Jamaica following the hurricane.

Claudette Gordon-McFarlane, Consultant, Culture & Change Execution, reflected on the deeper significance of these efforts: “What truly excites me is the heart of our people. Across CIBC Caribbean, we are embracing the Culture of Care not just as a concept, but as a way of life. We see ourselves as one family—united not only within the bank, but as part of the wider Jamaican community. In times of need, we show up for each other, because we understand that care is reciprocal. It is this collective spirit that defines who we are and drives the impact we continue to make.”

The Culture of Care initiative has been powered not only by staff contributions, but also by leadership support across the organisation, reinforcing a shared commitment at every level.

From volunteering time and resources to supporting national recovery efforts, the Jamaica team’s actions signal a broader movement within CIBC Caribbean — one where corporate responsibility is not a programme, but a lived experience.

As the initiative continues to gain momentum, CIBC Caribbean remains committed to expanding its reach and deepening its impact — proving that when care becomes culture, communities thrive.

Through these continued efforts, CIBC Caribbean Jamaica is not only responding to immediate needs but reinforcing a long-term commitment to building resilient communities and ensuring that impact is both meaningful and lasting.