Over the years, the Atlanta Jamaican Association has spearheaded and / or supported many cultural and social programs in the metro Atlanta area, outreach programs in Jamaica, and humanitarian programs locally and across the Caribbean as needs arise. These efforts impacting youth and adults are made possible with donations from members and the wider community, and from fundraising activities.
Please help us continue making an impact in our local and international communities. Please use button below to make a donation or scroll down for more information on a few of our more recent or ongoing programs.
OUR IMPACT
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Provided more than $100,000 in college scholarship awards to students in Jamaica and in the metro Atlanta area since the initiation of the program in 1995. Awards are presented annually at the Independence Ball & Scholarship Awards in August. The deadline for completed scholarship applications is April 26, 2019.
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In 2018, awarded $12,000 in scholarships to 12 deserving students: five in Jamaica and seven in the United States. (See 2018 Awardees here).
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On an individual basis, to the extent possible and supplemented by donations from members, support needy Jamaican students studying in the Atlanta area.
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AJA is the beneficiary of an annual funding of a scholarship thanks to the generosity of Friends On The Corner (F.O.T.C.).
SCHOLARSHIPS
AJA’s outreach efforts to Jamaica over the years have included: donation of medical equipment and provided nursing support to hospitals; provision of meals for the poor in infirmaries and prisons; provision of books, supplies and equipment to basic schools; and provision of relief from the ravages of flood and hurricane. A few recent efforts are highlighted below.
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In 2015, AJA donated $1,000 to Teen Challenge Jamaica, a one-year residential institution for the rehabilitation of at-risk teens. www.teenchallengejamaica.com
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In 2015, AJA donated $1,000 to The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), Community Safety and Security Branch (CSSB) to purchase bicycles for Community Based Policing.
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In 2016, AJA assisted with the purchase of a generator for the Open Heart Charitable Mission. This Mission offers two hot meals and a shower to its clients at its facility at Lawrence Lane in downtown Montego Bay every day. It also runs the Refuge of Hope night shelter in Albion, where up to 50 men and 30 women are accommodated and receive 3 hot meals a day. http://www.openheartcharitablemission.com/about.html
OUTREACH TO JAMAICA
CIVIC, SOCIAL & CULTURAL
Over the years, the AJA has organized and hosted many civic, social and cultural functions, targeting not only our members, but the broader Caribbean community in the metro Atlanta area. These include:
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The Association’s Annual Independence Ball & Scholarship Awards each August.
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The Annual Family Day Picnic in September.
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Cultural programs and presentations at monthly meetings with a focus on Jamaican history and heritage. These include celebrations of Black History, Women’s History, and Reggae Months and National Heroes Day.
The AJA regularly collaborates with and supports community-based agencies and other Caribbean organizations on a variety of civic and cultural programs. These include events relating to Caribbean American Heritage Month each June and Jamaican Independence each August; and American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life and Making Strides Against Breast Cancer fundraising events. A few recent events are highlighted below:
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The AJA is collaborating with The Susan G. Komen Greater Atlanta Affiliate, Emory University, and Grady to offer free mammograms and breast health education to underserved women (2015 – 2016). Read more here.
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In November 2015, the AJA collaborated with the Jamaican Chamber of Commerce of Atlanta, Inc. - an organization launched a year earlier on a recommendation by an exploratory committee established by the AJA - to host a Food Safety Conference in Atlanta. www.jamaicanchamberatlanta.com
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Ongoing humanitarian efforts of the AJA include spearheading an annual Christmas Toy Drive for needy children in local communities; and offering bereavement support to a number of Jamaican families.
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American Cancer Society Relay for Life 2016 Dekalb County, GA - Team Atlanta Jamaican Association donated $1340. to the American Cancer Society. Click here to view a short video on this year's event.