Notable Past Programmes
Past Programmes
Parenting Programme (2008–2010)
Joy Town’s foundational Parenting Programme was delivered as a stand-alone community intervention for parents of youth beneficiaries. Parenting principles and practices introduced through this programme were later integrated across several other JTCDF initiatives, establishing parenting support as a core pillar of the organisation’s work.
Psychological First Aid (PFA) Parenting (2017)
Implemented in partnership with Fight for Peace International and the UP Alliance, this programme strengthened community-based psycho-social support services for parents and youth exposed to high levels of violence. Workshops were delivered across six inner-city communities and exceeded participation targets, reaching 188 parents. The programme improved understanding of trauma, child protection, and effective parenting responses in high-stress environments.
Positive Parenting (2019)
An extension of the PFA Parenting model, this programme strengthened child protection practices and positive parenting approaches across six communities. It aligned with UNICEF’s Communication for Development (C4D) strategy and focused on building community capacity, supporting high-risk youth, and strengthening violence-prevention interventions. Over 250 parents participated, and Community Parenting Champions were identified and trained.
Positive Parenting for Advancement (P2A) (2022–2023)
A year-long intervention that improved parenting skills and family cohesion among 264 parents and caregivers across Kingston, Hannah Town, Denham Town, and Jones Town. The programme combined parenting education with family life skills, bonding activities, mentorship, and case management, while also strengthening the capacity of community groups to deliver parenting training.
Taking Charge of Your Future (TCYF) (2014–Present)
TCYF is JTCDF’s longest-running diversion programme, targeting children ages 7–15 at risk of academic failure, violence, and gang involvement. Through remedial education, case management, life skills, mentoring, and outdoor experiential learning, youth were supported in re-entering formal education. Parenting workshops were also embedded, resulting in improved parenting skills for participating families.
Repositioning Adolescents and Adults through Education (RAAE) (2018)
RAAE focused on equipping adolescents and adults with minimum education and life skills necessary for employability. The programme aimed to reduce violence by expanding personal development options and promoting positive values through life skills and counselling interventions.
● RAAE aimed to prepare beneficiaries with the minimum education needed to become
employable—reducing vulnerability to violence by giving participants options for
development. It included life skills taught through a Christian worldview and regular devotions.
● Strategies / Components:
Remedial Education; Life Skills; Performing Arts;
Specialised Counselling; Educational and Outward Bound Trips
Impact: intended outcome:
minimum education for employability; intended social
Outcome: reduced vulnerability to violence through expanded options
Mentoring Training (MENFA) [2018] — Completed
● UK-accredited mentor training to widen the safety net for youth.
● MENFA is a UK-accredited mentoring training programme designed to train 200 men
in Spanish Town and Kingston, with the goal that each trained mentor would support
at least one at-risk youth (in or out of school).
● Built on the idea of servant leadership—men showing up with patience, consistency,
and care for the next generation.
● Strategies / Components: Mentor Training (UK-accredited)
● Impact: Target: 200 men trained; intended multiplier: each mentor supports ≥1 at- risk youth
GOMER — Completed
● A faith-based coalition supporting HIV prevention and access to care.
● GOMER contributed to national HIV prevention scale-up—mobilising the faith-based community to address HIV/AIDS in Jamaica across Kingston, Backroad, Old Harbour, “Back Road” (Portmore) and occasionally May Pen.
Strategies / Components:
Voluntary Counselling and Testing (HIV); Peer Leaders/Educators; Referrals; Stipends; Life Skills; Specialised Counselling; Skills
Training; Trips.
Impact:
supported national HIV prevention efforts through testing, referrals, peer
education, and community mobilisation
Youth Empowerment through Sports (YETS) — Completed
● Sports as the doorway to employability, mentorship, and opportunity.
● YETS used sports to reach youth, then layered in vocational training,
entrepreneurship, service learning, internship, and mentorship—building
employability skills to increase the likelihood of securing jobs.
Strategies / Components:
Sports; Life Skills; Specialised Counselling; Mentoring;
Skills Training; Entrepreneurial Training
Impact:
Intended outcome: improved employability skills and increased likelihood of securing jobs
What we did
● Delivered time-bound programmes that addressed root drivers of vulnerability: low
employability, limited education access, weak support networks, and health risks
● Applied Christian principles in practical ways—dignity, accountability, and love expressed through consistent support
● Trained mentors and created consistent guidance pathways for at-risk youth
● Built life skills and education supports designed to expand employability options
● Used sports and structured activities as a bridge into workforce readiness,
mentorship, and personal development
● Mobilised the faith-based community to support HIV prevention and link people to services
Why it mattered
● These programmes expanded real alternatives to violence and harmful survival choices by strengthening education, support, and employability
● Mentorship created protective relationships around at-risk youth in and out of school
● Family resilience and entrepreneurship supports helped reduce stressors that fuel
conflict at home
● HIV prevention and referral networks strengthened community health and stability
● Local change contributes to national strength—healthier, more employable
communities help Jamaica thrive