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Jamaica
Awareness Association of California (JAAC) History
In July 1987, a group of dedicated individuals, under the
leadership of Mr. David Haughton, formed Jamaica Awareness Association
of California. The other founding members include Wilcox Bodden, Keith
R. Campbell, Errol Darnell, Phyllis Davis, Rose Lanam, Hope Miller, Dr.
Marian Miller (deceased), Dane Kamou Herukhuti, Jackie Small, Sharon Small,
Antonio Waite and Elise Waite-Waters. The primary objective of the organization
was to make a difference in the quality of life of the underprivileged
in Jamaica, and in our local communities. JAAC is especially dedicated
to the advancement of the health and educational systems in Jamaica. As
part of its growth process, JAAC has expanded its goals to promote Jamaican
culture in a positive way, and has played an integral role in educating
the Southern California public about customs and traditions of Jamaica.
Fundraising Events
The first fundraising event was a brunch held at Jamaica, Jamaica in Santa
Monica. Since that time, the Annual Spring Brunch has become a tradition,
along with the Scholarship Dinner Dance, which is now in its 19th year.
JAAC has added an Independence Dance held in the month of August and a
Golf Tournament held in the month of May to its repertoire of fundraising
events. On occasion, members and supporters also volunteer to host fundraisers
in their homes.
Scholarship Program
JAAC's scholarship program was formally introduced in 1989, when Lovena
Hamilton, a student of Excelsior Education Center, Kingston, and Karen
M. Daley, a student of Hampton, St. Elizabeth, were selected to receive
awards of $1,000 each. Subject to their performance, the scholarships
were renewed each year for a five-year period. Since its implementation,
the scholarship program has expanded to include more students at the high
school level in Jamaica, and more recently, local students at the college
level. With the tragic loss of the organization's Vice President in 2002,
JAAC established the Enid Davis Scholarship Fund to award an annual scholarship
to her memory.
Elementary School Computer Initiative
Since 1998, a primary focus has been the contribution of computer labs
to elementary schools in Jamaica. This initiative was in response to appeals
from Jamaica's Prime Minister, Hon P. J. Patterson, to ensure that the
Jamaican youth is equipped with the technology to function in the 21st
Century. The education team embarked on their fourth trip to Jamaica this
past June donating and installing computers and printers to schools in
the parish of St. Mary.
Outreach
With a heightened awareness of community goodwill, JAAC began an outreach
effort in its local environment that included a contribution to the Zenith
Youth Home, a home that helps youths with problems of juvenile delinquency.
This home was destroyed by fire, and there was a need for supplies and
equipment. Another early outreach effort included a donation to the Inglewood/Port
Antonio Sister City Youth Exchange Program, when it decided to send several
youth to Jamaica to experience the culture. As time progressed, the organization
was provided with many opportunities to exercise its charitable goals.
In the aftermath of Hurricane Gilbert, JAAC banded together with business
and community leaders to collect food, clothing and other items, and with
the cooperation of American Airlines, sent several shipments to Jamaica.
Last year we joined forces with other organizations in soliciting support
for donations toward the relief efforts after Hurricane Ivan.
A grant from the City of Los Angeles Cultural Affairs Department in 1992/1993,
allowed JAAC to conduct an art competition that involved students at Dorsey
and Crenshaw High Schools. The theme "Out of Many One People"
was adopted to embody the spirit of the reconciliation efforts which were
underway in the City after the 1992 riot. An exhibition of participants'
work was held at the Kenneth Hahn Building, County of Los Angeles, at
the invitation of Supervisor Yvonne Braithwaite Burke. In August 1993,
JAAC hosted the JamCarib Fest in Pasadena. Many aspects of Caribbean Culture
were featured at this festival; including food, music, dancing, fashion
show, sports, and arts and crafts.
JAAC was also part of the AllState volunteers that participated
in the local community "Helping Hands" 1999 and 2000 annual
paint-a-house project in South Central, Los Angeles. In 2000, JAAC joined
a coalition of Africans, West Indians and Americans to promote and register
residents for the Census 2000. The effort proved instrumental in increasing
the number of registrants for the Census. In the same year, JAAC received
over three thousand books from Retired Congressman Mervyn Dymally, who
was the catalyst for our involvement in the Census 2000. JAAC has taken
on various holiday charities and has provided toys, food and financial
assistance to the local community. In addition, JAAC has responded to
many requests for assistance from groups and individuals within and outside
the local communities.
Health
The year 2000 saw the launch of the healthcare program when in June, a
team of twenty-three healthcare providers visited the parish of Trelawny,
Jamaica where they served four clinics by offering dental, ophthalmological,
pediatric and general health care as well as health education services.
We recently completed our sixth annual visit, which was spent in the parish
of St. Mary. This year our surgery team added a laparoscopy seminar and
training program for doctors from across the island. The training was
conducted at Annotto Bay Hospital.
Membership
JAAC's current membership stands at approximately twenty-eight. There
are three membership categories: General (Active), Associate and Donor/Sponsor.
The executive board is comprised of elected members; which include the
president, vice president, treasurer, recording secretary and correspondence
secretary. From time to time, we seek the advice of special individuals
outside the organization, who share an interest in promoting the organization's
goals.
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