Janelle Christie
With the interest of the building their district, the Community Development Committee (CDC) in Steer Town, St Ann has been working assiduously to improve the lives of residents.
Established in the early 1990’s the Steer Town CDC was created as the need for teamwork was recognized. The group was initiated in order to facilitate partnership with outside groups and agencies to invest in the community. Since their establishment the group has partnered with the Social Development Commission (SDC), the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF) and the Citizenship Security and Justice Programme (CSJP), an arm of the Ministry of National Security.
Having 32 registered members, the Steer Town CDC is registered as a benevolent society with the Department of Cooperatives and Friendly Societies (DCFS), and welcomes members from various age groups. Dedicated persons wishing to join the group are asked to attend three consecutive meeting at the old Steer Town Health Center on Mondays at 7 pm. After attending these meetings they are then asked to complete an application form which is reviewed by the club’s executive body and a decision made. After becoming a member, if persons are faced with personal issues or behavioral problems they are recommended to get counseling from the CSJP, community case management officer in charge of Steer Town, Faith Aljoe, in order to function effectively in the group. Other members of the community are also offered counseling if the need arises.
EMPLOYMENT
President of the CDC Tashena Williams told The North Coast Times that the group has approached Jewel Dunn’s River and Sandals Ochi to assist with training and an opportunity for employment for the youths in Steer Town. She says the resorts have been training these persons and that the training for each set of persons lasts for six weeks. After training, if there are any vacancies, these youths are then employed.
Ms Williams encouraged residents “to enquire what we are doing each week and join us.” She also said that Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) representatives and other professionals are invited to some meetings to address the wider community on issues with which they are faced.
GARBAGE
With sponsorship from JSIF, the group recently built garbage skips to solve the problem of improper garbage disposal that had been affecting the community. Enclosures for bins were also installed and strict environmental wardens appointed. Ms Williams says since this project there has been notable change in the way residents handle and dispose of their waste.
The Steer Town CDC in their effort to educate about solid waste management, in partnership with the JSIF has also installed a recycling and compost unit at the Steer Town Academy, which is a secondary school in the area.
The group is also building a shower area in the bathroom at the new Steer Town Health Center.
Before that, an annual back to school treat was hosted for the children of Steer Town, however, for the past two years, due to financial challenges the event was not kept. Plans are, however, in place to reintroduce the treat this year.
Ms Williams says the community wants the abandoned Steer Town Community Center to be rehabilitated. Ms Williams, who is also the president of the Steer Town Police Youth Club, told The Times that the PYC along with the CDC seeks educational opportunities for youths. She says the HEART Trust/NTA has agreed to a proposal to come into the community and provide skill training, especially computer classes to residents. HEART t Trust/ NTA, however, request that the community have the necessary facilities, which unfortunately, they don’t.
Hoping that the CDC will accomplish their goals, Ms Williams confidently said “I want to see the CDC in the headline saying ‘FROM NOTHING TO SOMETHING’ … I am waiting for that time when people will move beyond personal development and move towards community development.”
She added that it is a satisfactory feeling to know that one is a part of the “effort to build your community”.
Ms Williams believes that stakeholders will come on board as soon as they recognize that residents are trying to uplift themselves. “I want the community to strive without people fearing to visit because of violence,” she said.
