For the third consecutive year, employees across the JN Group will spread goodwill for Christmas by engaging in a heartwarming outreach to support Mustard Seed Communities through the JN Foundation “Comfort for Christmas” initiative. 

This year, eight apostolates of the Mustard Seed Communities are set to benefit from the effort, which is a feature of the group’s employee giving programme. They are: Jerusalem in St Catherine; Widow’s Mite and Jacob’s Ladder in St Ann; Sophie’s Place, My Father’s House and Mary’s Child in St Andrew; Gift of Hope in Manchester and Blessed Assurance in St James.

Candice Nichols, social impact assessment officer at JN Foundation, who leads the ‘Comfort for Christmas’ initiative, pointed out that the proactive support and generosity of employees have been the backbone of the success of the outreach mission. 

“Giving back is deeply embedded in our culture at JN, and employees live this value every day. Their commitment to making a difference in the lives of those less fortunate is inspiring and it is aligned with the values of the JN Group. Their effort shows how collective action can create meaningful change by extending kindness and support to those who need it most,” she related.

Nichols is encouraging the wider society to partner with JN employees by making monetary contributions to the JN Foundation’s Fuel a Nation savings account at JN Bank number RSV-002094590587, held at the Duke Street branch, with ‘Comfort for Christmas’ in the description to ensure funds go directly to the initiative.

“With the additional support from the public, we can provide even greater contribution to Mustard Seed Communities. The needs are immense, and every donation allows us to extend more help. We encourage everyone to join in this effort to make a meaningful difference this Christmas,” Nichols urged.

Building on last year’s success, where employees and the JN Foundation provided nearly 6,000 diapers, 300 packs of milk, a commercial printer, and an industrial pressure cooker, the goal for this year is to exceed those efforts.

Camille Barrett, escalation agent at the TCS Contact Centre & Debt Management, has already started organising a diaper drive in her work location to support the ‘Comfort for Christmas’ initiative. Last year she used her own funds to purchase diapers and sought support for the initiative by encouraging her colleagues and members of the public to contribute.

“I enjoy giving back. I’m really big on charity. It’s something that’s in me from a tender age,” she said, adding that she was influenced by her mother, who for many years helped the less fortunate in her community and hosted children from a girls’ home every Christmas.

‘I grew up seeing them as my sisters,” she related. “I grew up not seeing myself better than anybody else. One thing I’ve learned is to always help somebody. ] It comes naturally.”  

Immediately after the outreach initiative at Mary’s Child last year, Camille returned with a hair stylist to braid the hair of some of the residents of the home.

Christine Madden Watson, administrator at Sophie’s Place, one of the beneficiaries, expressed anticipation for the contributions, while noting the enormous need for consumables.  

“We are always elated to partner with JN to provide for the residents,” she said, adding that diapers are always in great demand as hundreds are used each month at her location.

She also pointed out that with additional support provided by ‘Good Samaritans’ through donations, the home has been able to operate efficiently in caring for the various needs of the residents. 

Sophie’s Place is home to 23 special needs children and adults range from age three to 38.

For many years, JN employees sponsored children at Sophie’s Place, helping with the cost of prescription medications.