BETTY ANN Blaine, founder of Youth Opportunities Unlimited (YOU), has welcomed Alcoa Foundation's support for non-government organisations (NGOs).
Alcoa Foundation out of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in the United States, recently launched an International Social Venture/ Enterprise Initiative aimed at improving the effectiveness and sustainability of non-government (NGO) organisations.
Ms. Blaine praised the move by Alcoa during her presentation via video conferencing from Ja-malco's Halse Hall plant, as part of the Foundation's Social Venture/ Enterprise Initiative Forum, at the Johnson Foundation's Wingspread Retreat in Wisconsin, United States of America and video conferenced to Alcoa locations around the world.
"I wish to congratulate the Alcoa Foundation for its vision, dedication and commitment to the NGO sector, and for this important initiative of which we are a part this morning," Ms. Blaine told the conference.
HOPES FOR RIPPLE EFFECT
"When you know that the formula and the chemistry are right, is when you see partnerships like this, and I hope that this will generate a ripple effect of replication across Jamaica, involving increasing numbers of corporations and institutions, working alongside non-government organisations for the common good of all our citizens."
She said that there was no doubt that NGOs were facing a challenging future.
"As somebody integrally involved in the NGO community, I know this all too well. However, I want to remind you all that, as much as we the NGOs depend on the society to keep us going, so too does the society depend on us for the invaluable service we provide for its members. So this is not simply a one-way street, and I want you all to keep that in mind," she said.
REINFORCING SELF-WORTH
She said that it was important for the public to understand that, in the midst of the challenging times, when funds are scarce and partnerships difficult to achieve and sustained, "you must continually reinforce your organisation's own self-worth its mission, vision and ethos always remembering the important role your organisation plays in this very difficult social, economic and political climate."
"But knowing that you play a vital role in society is simply not enough to keep your organisations going, so that Alcoa's initiative to share and expose us to new ideas and opportunities, is welcomed and appreciated," Ms. Blaine said.
