Project STAR helps Rayon Stewart realise his dreams

“Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime,” goes the adage.

Rayon Stewart, one of the beneficiaries of the Project STAR Employment Programme who used the tools, resources and opportunity provided to secure in his spot as training administrative support officer at JMMB Group. The Rose Gardens resident noted that his experience as a part of the programme saw him moving from being a cynic to a champion.

It helped to lay a solid foundation for Stewart to transition from an intern to a full-time team member at JMMB. This is a dream come true for him, as the JMMB Group culture endeared him to the organisation. He recalls that while he worked as a security guard with Hawkeye, he had an unpleasant experience on one occasion while working at JMMB, but he was impressed by the way the situation was handled.

“The culture did not make you feel like you are just a security guard, you felt like you are a part of the team, and that is not typical, as persons (often) look down on security guards,” shared Stewart. While being an intern he was welcomed readily and saw first-hand the opportunities to climb the ladder of success with hard work and dedication. Now in his role as training administrative support officer, he is charged with championing that culture by coordinating internal training courses, organising the onboarding process for new team members and supporting the overall training needs of the team.

With a determination to defy the odds and break the status quo often associated with inner-city youths, Stewart has his sight set on being the first member of his immediate family to be a university graduate. He is currently enrolled in an associate degree programme in business administration at Excelsior Community College, with the aim of completing a bachelor’s over the next two to three years. Admitting that his 12-year-old daughter, Gabriella, is his biggest motivation to succeed.

“I want to set a good example for her and to help to make her life better (by being able to better provide),” he said, and spend more time with her creating memories. The Kingston College alum admits that financial challenges have disrupted his academic journey; however, he remains resolute on his mission to achieve this milestone.

SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT

He credits the supportive JMMB environment and gives kudos to his wider training team for the role that it has played in his personal and professional development.

“There is also a level of upward mobility. Being a part of the team has taken away any excuses I may have for not achieving my goals. My team is also looking out for me and they push me and keep me accountable,” explained Stewart while singling out his manager, Clyde Shaw, whom he describes as a friend and mentor. Since joining the JMMB team, he has also pursued several professional development courses through JMMB University including, ‘Building Your Emotional Intelligence’, ‘Customer Service’ and ‘Time Management’ and recently completed a project management certificate with UWI, Mona. Although still navigating the new world of human resource, he is excited about where his career will go.

His life has been changed for the better and created the future he wants for himself, his family and community, shared Stewart. He is involved in activities planned by the Rose Gardens community parenting association and football league, where his schedule permits. Using this platform to encourage youths to “end the cycle of violence” and pursue opportunities like these to make a positive impact on their community. Stewart’s story is not quite unique, Keith Duncan, JMMB Group CEO and co-chair of Project STAR shared.

“As we come to the close of another remarkable year (since the inception of the programme in 2022), I am filled with immense pride and gratitude as I reflect on the incredible achievements of Project STAR. Our journey towards establishing STAR as a model public-private sector partnership for community change and transformation has made significant strides and our collective efforts are yielding tangible results, one of which is the positive impact of the lives of individuals in the Employment Programme,” he said.

JMMB through the JMMB Joan Duncan Foundation donated $60 million to the five-year-long Project STAR programme, created by the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica in partnership with the Jamaica Constabulary Force. Project STAR is intended to enable under-resourced communities to become safer and more resilient, with improved social outcomes and reduced levels of violence through its various initiatives. Key interventions include employment, job placement and certification, parenting workshops, education, sports and entrepreneurship, and is driven by a community-based approach.