Summer of possibilities

FROM strengthening reading skills and communication abilities to exploring marine science, leadership development, and financial literacy, hundreds of young Jamaicans spent their summer learning, growing, and discovering new possibilities through programmes supported by the JMMB Joan Duncan Foundation. Approximately 970 children and youth benefited from the foundation’s support of seven summer initiatives across the island this year. Recognising the important role that summer programmes play in providing safe, structured, and engaging environments for young people, the foundation partnered with community organisations, educational institutions, and youth groups to expand access to opportunities that nurture both personal and academic development. The initiatives reached a diverse cross-section of children and youth, including struggling readers, students from underserved communities, children with complex communication needs, and young people seeking opportunities to develop leadership skills and build confidence. Among the programmes supported was Camp Hello! which provides specialised support for children with speech and communication challenges, helping participants strengthen their ability to connect and engage with the world around them. The foundation also supported the Winsome Wishes for KIDS (WWKIDS) Summer Fun Reading Literacy Boost Camp, which helped students reading below grade level improve their literacy skills through targeted interventions, digital learning tools, storytelling, and creative activities. Young people also benefited from programmes that encouraged discovery and exploration. Through support for the Port Royal Marine Laboratory’s summer camp, participants were introduced to marine science and environmental stewardship, while students enrolled in the University of Technology (UTech), Jamaica Students’ Union’s Teach the Youth Summer Programme accessed academic support, financial literacy training, emotional intelligence sessions, and recreational activities across six communities.

Kim Mair (centre), CEO of JMMB Joan Duncan Foundation, engages in discussion with campers from Winsome Wishes for KIDS (WWKIDS) Summer Fun Reading Literacy Boost Camp.

Additional support was provided to Kingston YMCA’s summer camp and leadership development programme, Justice For Peace International’s literacy intervention initiative, and SEYA Camp, which offered young people opportunities for mentorship, character development, and positive social engagement. Kim Mair, chief executive officer of JMMB Joan Duncan Foundation, said the organisation remains committed to supporting programmes that help young people reach their fullest potential. “Summer should be a time when children and young people continue to learn, explore, and build meaningful connections. The organisations we partnered with this year created welcoming spaces where participants could develop new skills, discover their strengths, and gain experiences that can positively influence their future,” said Mair. “We are especially grateful to the community organisations and volunteers who dedicate their time and resources to supporting Jamaica’s youth. Their commitment helps to create opportunities that might otherwise be out of reach for many children and families, and we are proud to support their efforts,” added Mair. She pointed out that this year’s summer camp partnerships formed part of the foundation’s ongoing commitment to transformational development and community empowerment. “By investing in programmes that support learning, inclusion, confidence-building, and personal growth, the foundation continues to help create pathways for young people to thrive,” Mair said.