The Global Jamaica Diaspora Youth Council (GJDYC) has launched its COVID-19 Community Outreach Initiative in the United Kingdom and the United States, with an initial disbursement of supermarket vouchers totaling over £1,000 (J$175,000).
There have been 20 beneficiaries thus far and plans are underway to bolster the level of assistance.
“We launched the GJDYC COVID-19 Community Outreach Initiative in both countries to provide nutritional support for Jamaican students and young families who are experiencing hardship. We have a duty of care to our fellow countrymen and we’re pleased that our members have come together to activate this project,” said Tanesha Westcarr, South UK Regional Leader – GJDYC.
The initiative is being executed in conjunction with the respective overseas Missions and corporate partners, Victoria Mutual Building Society and Port Royal Patties. Beneficiaries span London, Swansea and South Shields in the UK and Florida, Louisiana and New York in the USA.
Mona-Lee Belizaire, Jay-Sheree Allen and Amaya Lewis have been monitoring the situation and drumming up support as regional GJDYC leaders in the USA.
“This pandemic is showing us why being part of a community matters and when we heard of the opportunity to help these young people, we felt compelled to rally together. As regional leaders, we stand ready to assist in other ways, if needed,” said Belizaire, who leads the North-East USA region.
In addition to community outreach, the GJDYC has developed a series of social campaigns on @GlobalJaYouth Instagram Live to inform, entertain and help the community to power through the pandemic while at home. They include: #MindfulMondays, #WorkoutWednesdays and #FoodieFriday.
The group is currently organising a panel discussion with members across all continents to reflect on their experiences and think through innovative strategies that could shape post-Covid-19 recovery.
This article was retrieved from LOOP Jamaica at https://jamaica.loopnews.com/content/global-jca-diaspora-youth-council-launches-covid-community-outreach
