The Private Sector Organization of Jamaica (PSOJ) on Monday launched a social transformation and renewal program scheduled to run over five years at a cost of two billion dollars (One Jamaica dollar=US$0.008 cents).
The PSOJ said “Project STAR,” which will benefit residents in as many as 20 communities is being undertaken in collaboration with the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF).
“Project STAR was born out of a sincere belief that positive change is always possible – and that every Jamaican community can thrive if given the right resources,” said Keith Duncan, co-chair of the initiative and PSOJ president.
“It will take an all-of-society approach, but the goal is the social and economic transformation of target communities, driven by a mindset change, and delivered through a suite of customized community-building activities,” Duncan added.
The roll-out of Project STAR will begin in September in downtown Kingston.
In an effort to ensure that the project is evidence-based, the organizers said they are collaborating with researcher Dr. Deanna Ashley of the Violence Prevention Alliance, analytics consultancy firm Project ALPHA.
“In addition to having a robust learning framework guided by Dr. Nadiya Figueroa, Project STAR will benefit from the PSOJ leveraging its management expertise and resources,” PSOJ added.
The project was initiated by Duncan and will be managed by social development veteran Saffrey Brown, the former general manager of Jamaica National Foundation and outgoing Council of Voluntary Social Services chair.
CMC/
 on Monday launched a social transformation and renewal program){kind=link}