Jamaica

Investing in Youth, Strengthening Futures
In Martha Brae and surrounding communities, Village Rise partners with local leaders to provide consistent educational support, nutritional resources, and pathways to long-term stability for children and young adults.

Our Impact

  • 25-40 children served weekly through Saturday School programming

  • 100+ youth supported annually across programs

  • Weekly meals provided to address food insecurity

  • Ongoing tutoring, counseling, and mentorship provided

  • Young adults supported through independent living and workforce development programs

  • Community-wide engagement through parents, educators, and local leaders

Our Approach

Village Rise’s work in Jamaica focuses on strengthening communities through consistent, locally led programs that support children, youth, and young adults across multiple stages of development.

Our work includes:

  • Education: Providing tutoring, structured learning, and academic support

  • Food Security: Delivering consistent meals to address nutritional gaps

  • Health & Wellbeing: Offering counseling and emotional support services

  • Community Outreach: Engaging families, educators, and local leaders in program delivery

  • Housing & Stability: Supporting safe living conditions and transitional housing for young adults

Highlighted Projects

  • Weekly academic and nutritional support for children in Martha Brae

    Program
    Education & Food Security

    Location
    Martha Brae, Trelawny Parish

    Overview
    Village Rise, in partnership with local leaders, established the Saturday School Program to address gaps in academic support and food access for children in the community. Many students lacked access to consistent educational resources outside of school and faced food insecurity at home.

    Implementation
    Delivered in partnership with the Martha Brae Independent Baptist Church, Pastor Shawn Kelly, and local educators, with active involvement from community members and families.

    Impact

    • 25–40 children served weekly

    • Weekly meals provided

    • Tutoring and academic support delivered

    • Counseling support available for children and teens

    Long-Term Impact
    Creates a stable, supportive environment that improves educational outcomes and provides children with the tools needed for long-term success.

  • Building consistent academic foundations through tutoring and mentorship

    Program
    Education

    Location
    Trelawny Parish

    Overview
    Students in the Martha Brae community often require additional academic support beyond their standard schooling. This program provides structured tutoring, mentorship, and learning support to help students stay on track academically.

    Implementation
    Delivered by a dedicated local team of educators and volunteers, supported by Village Rise and community leadership.

    Impact

    • Ongoing academic support provided

    • Improved engagement in school

    • Increased access to learning resources

    Long-Term Impact
    Strengthens educational foundations and increases opportunities for continued education and future employment.

  • Addressing food insecurity through consistent meal support

    Program
    Food Security

    Location
    Martha Brae and surrounding communities

    Overview
    Food insecurity remains a major barrier to student success. This program ensures children receive consistent access to nutritious meals during program participation.

    Implementation
    Delivered in partnership with local leaders and volunteers who prepare and distribute meals weekly.

    Impact

    • Weekly meals provided to all participating children

    • Improved student focus and participation

    • Reduced impact of food insecurity on learning

    Long-Term Impact
    Supports physical wellbeing and enables children to fully engage in their education.

Photo Gallery
Photo Gallery

The Need

In many communities across Jamaica, children and young adults face systemic barriers to education, stability, and long-term opportunity. Limited access to academic support, food insecurity, and a lack of structured programming contribute to cycles of poverty and reduced economic mobility.

For young adults transitioning out of orphanage care, these challenges are even more pronounced. Without stable housing, mentorship, or access to employment pathways, many are left without the support systems needed to succeed independently.

Village Rise works to address these gaps through consistent, community-based programming that supports both immediate needs and long-term development.

Photo Gallery
Photo Gallery

  • From instability to independence through mentorship, housing, and support

    Program
    Shelter & Housing + Community Outreach

    Location
    Martha Brae Community, Trelawny Parish

    Overview
    Antonittee entered the Third Base Program at a critical point in her life, transitioning out of orphanage care without stable housing or consistent support. Like many young adults in similar situations, she faced significant barriers to independence, including limited access to employment, education, and safe living conditions.

    Through Village Rise’s support, Antonittee was provided with stable housing, mentorship, and guidance to help her build a path forward.

    Implementation
    Delivered through the Third Base Program’s case-based model, with ongoing mentorship, life skills development, and support from local leaders and program coordinators.

    Impact

    • Secured stable housing through the program

    • Gained essential life and independent living skills

    • Received mentorship and ongoing support

    • Transitioned toward employment and self-sufficiency

    Long-Term Impact
    Antonittee’s journey reflects the broader impact of the Third Base Program, demonstrating how targeted, consistent support can help young adults transition into stable, independent lives and break cycles of vulnerability.

  • This program is completed.

    Supporting young adults transitioning out of orphanage care

    Program
    Shelter & Housing + Community Outreach

    Location
    Martha Brae and surrounding communities

    Overview
    Young adults transitioning out of orphanage care often lack access to stable housing, employment opportunities, and support systems. The Third Base Program provides a structured pathway to independence through housing, mentorship, and job placement support.

    Implementation
    Delivered through a tailored, case-based model with ongoing monitoring and support, in collaboration with local partners and community leaders.

    Impact

    • Young adults supported through transitional housing

    • Job placement and employment support provided

    • Mentorship and life skills development delivered

    Long-Term Impact
    Equips young adults with the tools needed to achieve independence, break cycles of poverty, and become productive members of society.

  • Strengthening local ecosystems through family and community involvement

    Program
    Community Outreach

    Location
    Martha Brae Community

    Overview
    Village Rise works closely with parents, educators, and local leaders to ensure programs are community-driven and responsive to local needs.

    Implementation
    Delivered through ongoing collaboration with families, church leadership, and local stakeholders.

    Impact

    • Active parent and community involvement

    • Local educators engaged in programming

    • Strong community participation in initiatives

    Long-Term Impact
    Builds trust, strengthens community networks, and ensures long-term sustainability of programs.

Sustainability

Village Rise’s work in Jamaica is built on long-standing, community-rooted partnerships. Through collaboration with the Independent Baptist Mission for Jamaica & the Dominican Republic (IBMFJ&TDR), the Martha Brae Independent Baptist Church, and local educators and leaders, our programs are implemented with deep local ownership and consistency.

The Saturday School Program has been sustained through continuous weekly engagement, supported by a dedicated on-the-ground team that provides education, meals, mentorship, and care to children and youth. This consistent presence allows us to build trust within the community and respond to evolving needs over time.

Our work extends beyond programming by actively involving parents, families, and community leaders, ensuring that initiatives are not only delivered locally but supported and sustained by the community itself.

Through this model, Village Rise strengthens existing systems, reinforces stability for children and young adults, and creates a foundation for long-term, community-driven impact.