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The SOS Community Connect event, hosted at the AC Hotel Kingston on March 28, united key stakeholders, partners, and supporters to advance initiatives that promote the well-being and development of Jamaica’s children and youth.

The evening featured impactful presentations from Kristen Laing, public relations manager of the Child Protection and Family Services Agency (CPFSA); Hyacinth Blair, senior director of the Children’s Affairs Policy Division at the Ministry of Education; and Marjory Kennedy, director at SOS Children’s Villages.

Attendees participated in meaningful discussions on strengthening community engagement and sustainable support, in alignment with SOS Children’s Villages’ enduring mission to provide family-like care for vulnerable children.

AC Hotel’s director of sales Sashelle Gordon also spoke as a sponsor for the event, reinforcing the importance of corporate support in sustaining impactful community programmes.

Sean Patrick, fund development and communications representative at SOS Children’s Villages, expressed deep gratitude to the event’s sponsors, stating, “We extend our sincere thanks to Scotiabank, CPFSA, and the Ministry of Education for their unwavering support. Currently, SOS provides a family-like environment for 91 children”.

“Looking ahead, we are excited to launch PEPUp in August 2025, a holistic initiative addressing disparities in academic matriculation by providing counselling, nutrition, and academic support. Additionally, through our YouthRISE partnership with Scotiabank, we are equipping 180 young people with career-building programmes to prepare them for the future,”

The Ministry of Education underscored the importance of collaboration in child development, stating, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world. It truly takes a village to ensure that every child has the opportunity to thrive. The ministry is proud to support initiatives like SOS Community Connect, which align with our mission to safeguard children’s well-being and foster holistic development.”

The event also highlighted the transformative impact of SOS support through inspiring testimonies from past and present programme participants, including Anthony Harriott, Gizal Dennis, and Michael Sutherland, who shared their journeys and expressed gratitude for the support they received.

As part of its continued commitment to community engagement, SOS Children’s Villages announced its upcoming Labour Day project on May 23 and the SOS Charity Brunch on May 31.