AFJ: Reaching, helping far and wide

You might have seen a lot in the press lately about the American Frinds of Jamaica (AFJ) and concluded that they love to party. But, that is just a small part of what they do ... and only after they have achieved their objectives.

The AFJ is a not-for-profit 501 (c) (3) organisation dedicated to supporting Jamaican charitable organisations and social initiatives targeted at improving the lives of Jamaicans through systemic development in the areas of education, health care and economic development. Founded in 1982 by a handful of Jamaicans and Americans who love Jamaica and wanted to see it prosper, the organisation has created a legacy of philanthropy dedicated to the people of Jamaica, raising over U$11 million to date on behalf of Jamaica's non-profit and charitable organisations.

The AFJ board of directors, led by Chairman Ambassador Sue Cobb and Executive Director Caron Chung, seeks to tap into the network of support provided by American multinational corporations with commercial interests in Jamaica, American winter residents, members of the diplomatic corps and Jamaicans living overseas as well as the various other individuals with a dedication to the economic and cultural sustainability of the beautiful island nation of Jamaica.

Board members include Ambassador Brenda Johnson, James Cada Esq Ambassador Gary Cooper, Mr and Mrs Sydney Engel, Manuela Goren, Ambassador Glen Holden, Becky Stockhausen, Mr Mark Jones, Monica Ladd, Lorraine Lorenc, Ambassador Stan McLelland, Lacy Wright Jr, Dr Laura Tanna and Barron Channer.

The AFJ's comprehensive fund-raising strategy includes gala events in New York, and in South Florida along with corporate partnerships with organisations such as the Bacardi, Baptist Hospital, Deutsche Bank, the Jamaica Tourist Board and corporate supporters GraceKennedy International, Digicel, Royal Caribbean, Iberostar, Couples Resorts, Sandals, Akerman & Senterfitt and Hume Law Firm.

A few months ago, Beverly Nicols, a Jamaican success story in New York, donated US$100,000 to the organisation. Beverly believes in giving back to her homeland because she believes "it has given me so much". Each month a donor in New York gives the organisation US$75 from a payroll deduction because he wants to "commit to a cause greater than himself". It is selfless donations such as these that allow the organisation to help those in need. Everyone is invited to consider giving to the AFJ, no matter what the amount, to make a difference in the lives of those in need in Jamaica.

• Recipients of help from the AFJ

The following is just a small number of groups, individuals and organisations that have benefited from the AFJ over the years.

1. American International School
   
2. Cobb Family Lecture Series - Wendel Abel
   
3. East Central St James Constituency
   
4. First Step Basic School
   
5. FISH
   
6. Hanover Charities
   
7. Help Establish Library Projects
   
8. Friends of Hopewell
   
9. Jamaica Society For the Blind
   
10. Jamaica Association on Intellectual Disabilities
    
11. Virginia Woods
    
12. Missionaries of the Poor
    
13. Oracabessa Foundation
    
14. PALS
    
15. Portland Rehabilitation Mgmt
    
16. Rise Life Management
    
17. St Joseph's College (Latania Bingham)
    
18. Tennis Jamaica
    
19. Trench Town Reading Centre
    
20. United Way
    
21. UWI - Cobb Lecture Series
    
22. UWI - Holden Bursary
    
23. UWI - Cooper Bursary
    
24. UWI - Women's Leadership Lauren Bursary
    
25. Women's Leadership - Youth Crime Watch
    
26. Youth Crime Watch
    
27. Expanding Educational Horizons
    
28. William Knibb Trust Baptist Manse Historical Build
    
29. Breds Treasure Beach Foundation
    
30. Combat HIV-AIDS
    
31. Trench Town Development
    
32. St Thomas Aquinas Church
    
33. Bull Savannah Primary School
    
34. St James High School
    
35. St Anthony's Children's Home
    
36. Seaward Primary & Junior High
    
37. Prince of Wales Foundation: Rosetown Project
    
38. Stanley S. Hubbard Scholarship Grant
    
39. New Roads Basic School
    
40. National Gallery of Jamaica
    
41. Mona Rehabilitation
    
42. MoBay Hope Medical Diagnostic
    
43. Jamaica Library Service
    
44. Jamaica Children's Heart Fund
    
45. Institute of Jamaica
    

• What Chairman Ambassador Sue Cobb says about her work with the AFJ:

"The values I was taught growing up were absolute: Work hard. Study hard. Read the bible. Read our country's constitution. Always remember the golden rule. Take good care of yourself because ultimately you are the only one who can make the choices that impact your life. That meant take care of yourself physically, mentally, emotionally and intellectually.

I was taught that when you do these things, you will prosper and you will be able to help others. Those are the basics that set me free into a world of opportunities. And one day, the president of the United States called and asked me to serve my country as an ambassador. I told him I wanted to be in Jamaica. Shortly after I arrived, The Most Honourable P.J. Patterson labelled me , 'The Lady of Silk and Steel' and I think he got it exactly right.

Today, I remain involved within diplomatic circles, but I am consumed by neither diplomacy nor politics. I am a student of policy matters at the macro-level and an avid consumer of policy studies.

I am now in a position to give back. I find The American Friends of Jamaica Inc to be the appropriate vehicle. I find in the leadership of the AFJ, like-minded people. Each has had the discipline to be successful in his/her respective endeavour; each feels a personal obligation to help others as they are able; each, perhaps fortuitously, fell into the embrace of a warm and charming people on the island of Jamaica. So, we work together to try to make a difference through the hands and hearts of those on the island engaged in the same charge. We seek to enable these thoughtful and caring Jamaicans because we know that some people need a helping hand. And all of us at the AFJ ardently believe in the talent of the Jamaican people and the future of the country.

Charitable giving in the United States has fallen during these difficult economic times. The AFJ must now reach out to broaden its circle of friends. Our plan is moving forward and our goal is to significantly increase our giving to qualified Jamaican entities. We know this cannot happen overnight, but we will work very, very hard - as I was taught to do so many years ago."