St Patrick's Foundation helping at-risk youth

They care for persons living with HIV/AIDS, provide shelter for the homeless and ensure that the less fortunate in the society are sheltered, fed and educated. They are the St Patrick's Foundation led by Monsignor Richard Albert and his hard-working team. And on Mother's Day, Hermine Metcalfe and Monica Chen hosted a brunch to raise funds for the non-profit, human and community development organisation established in 1994.

The foundation comprises: St Margaret's Human Resource Centre located at 64 Henderson Avenue, where items of furniture and plaques are made; St Monica's - a home for elderly abandoned people as well as some persons living with HIV/AIDS; Riverton & Callaloo Mews Early Childhood Centre and a basic school; and Christ The Redeemer Human Resource Centre in Seaview Gardens, where they teach remedial studies, hairdressing/barbering, and information technology.

The courses taught are all certified by the Human Employment & Resource Training (HEART), and Msgr Albert told The Gleaner that he continues to be grateful for the support the foundation has received from corporate Jamaica over the years. He expressed satisfaction over with the latest initiative, where 150 young people are being trained in a ranger programme for disaster preparedness and emergency management, so that they will be able to assist the authorities in case there is a natural disaster.

"The Riverton Basic School has 125 children and we have 35 persons in the home for the elderly," said Msgr Albert, who is urging everyone to support the upcoming clothing sale planned for this summer. "We are asking everyone who has new or clothing in excellent condition to bring them in for the sale that we will hold in Seaview Gardens," he said. The foundation also holds an awards dinner in November each year. Mrs Metcalfe said the brunch was a way of contributing some much-needed funds to the charities.

Here are some of the items made by the students at St Margaret's Human Resource Centre. They also make an excellent line of plaques at the centre. By purchasing items from them, you support the work of the foundation and ensure that at-risk youth are gainfully employed.

 

CAPTION: Richard Maxam shows off the footrest he crafted at the St Margaret's Human Resource Centre located along Henderson Avenue in Olympic Gardens, Kingston 11. The centre caters to at-risk students in the community. The students are exposed to woodwork and garment manufacturing. this department is currently working on 45 sets of costumes for the St Peter Claver Primary School. Some of their work was on display for careers day on Wednesday. - Photos by Colin Hamilton/Freelance Photographer