As Kingston marked the start of a new year, Hummingbird Charities once again joined the annual New Year’s Day outreach to the city’s homeless community, continuing a tradition built on consistency, compassion and human connection.

The outreach, held at William Grant Park, brought together volunteers and partners under the coordination of the Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation, with a shared focus on reaching some of the most vulnerable Jamaicans at a moment symbolically tied to renewal and hope.

For Hummingbird Charities, participation in the initiative is deliberate and deeply rooted in its mission. Shevel Turton, Coordinator of Hummingbird Charities, described the day as one centred on dignity and presence rather than charity alone. 

“Today means, for families and individuals, a day of dignity, a day of care, a day where they see and feel the connection between us and them, that we care and that they are not forgotten,” Turton said. 

She explained that the organisation’s motivation to return each year comes from the impact witnessed on the ground. “We are motivated to keep doing this initiative year after year by the end results. Each year that we do a feeding and we see how many persons come out, how happy they are when they receive their meals, and the connection we form by interacting with people, that is what keeps us motivated,” she added. 

The New Year’s Day outreach is part of a long-standing civic tradition that dates back to the tenure of Desmond McKenzie as Mayor of Kingston and has been continued by every mayor since. 

According to Mayor of Kingston Andrew Swaby, the initiative is designed to ensure that the homeless population feels included and valued as part of the wider society. Speaking on the significance of the day, Mayor Swaby said the event is about starting the year on the right note by reaching out to those living on the streets and reminding them that they are not excluded from national life. 

He also stressed that the message extends beyond the outreach itself, calling on residents, both individuals and members of the business community, to recognise the humanity of those experiencing homelessness and to lend support where they can.

For Hummingbird Charities, the New Year’s Day outreach reflects a broader philosophy of showing up consistently and building trust within communities. It is an approach that prioritises dignity, connection, and continuity, and one that continues to guide the organisation’s work long after the first day of the year has passed.