KINGSTON, July 9, 2021:
The Council of Voluntary Social Services (CVSS) has been recognised by the RJR Gleaner Communications Group for it’s remarkable work done in effectively coordinating and executing the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ) COVID-19 Relief Fund.
The organisation received the award in the voluntary service category jointly with the PSOJ, the United Way of Jamaica and the American Friends of Jamaica. The award was presented to the organisations in a ceremony coordinated by The RJRGleaner Communications Group recently.
Saffrey Brown, chair of the CVSS in accepting the award said that through the collaboration, more than 93,000 persons and organisations across Jamaica benefitted from the PSOJ COVID-19 Relief Fund initiative.
“At the end of the Fund, we were able to mobilize J$200 million in resources from the private sector. We delivered a variety of support and distributed 73,000 care packages; 60,000 masks; 10,000 meals and engaged more than 60 communities and 60 Non-Governmental Organisations,” she stated.
Ms. Brown noted that the work done was able to positively impact groups that needed the support during the time. She asserted that the initiative allowed the implementing organisations to build relationships and strengthen bonds with communities.
“For me, the biggest take away was the willingness of people, agencies, companies and communities coming together when it mattered the most. We were able to achieve amazing things together and for me that was one of the most wonderful thing,” she shared.
The CVSS chair said in executing the COVID-19 Relief Fund, from the beginning there was shared purpose, clear goals and everyone moving in one direction.
“For me it was soul food working on the COVID-19 Relief Fund. We worked non-stop to ensure that it was successful. The first two months there were no Saturdays nor Sundays, but it provided that sense of fulfillment that you are contributing,” she explained.
Ms. Brown reported that the most rewarding aspect about executing the Relief Fund was the receptiveness of the persons who benefitted. They appreciated the kind gestures, and the fact that persons cared about their well-being. She stated that there were also positives coming out of the initiative. The Jamaica Constabulary Force were able to improve relations in some communities, as they assisted in the delivery of care packages in some of these communities.
“If at the core of everything you do there is humanity and respect, then you can never go wrong regardless of a person’s situation,” she affirmed.
The PSOJ COVID-19 Jamaica Response Fund was an integrated national response to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in Jamaica. The Fund aimed to meet the needs of citizens and mitigate the threats associated with the pandemic by distributing aid to individuals and areas that needed it the most.
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