JCF Extends ‘Care’ Initiative for Children Recovering from Hurricane Melissa

The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) is bringing joy, stability, and renewed hope to children across western Jamaica this Christmas through its Children’s Advocacy, Recovery and Empowerment (CARE) Initiative as communities continue to recover from the impact of Hurricane Melissa.

Speaking during a Jamaica Information Service (JIS) ‘Think Tank’ on December 8, Head of the Constabulary Communications Network (CCN), Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Dahlia Garrick, explained that the project was designed with an overarching focus on addressing both the immediate and long-term needs of youngsters.

The first leg of the Christmas Village component of the CARE Initiative was launched on December 6 in St. Elizabeth, where scores of children were treated to fun-filled games and received additional support services.

SSP Garrick explained that the intervention began reaching children in the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, a Category Five cyclone that made landfall on October 28. She noted that the JCF has since extended the programme into the Yuletide season.

“We know that we are very caught up in everything and trying to provide the basics… but our children, they too need help. The initiative, led by the Centre for the Investigation of Sexual Offences and Child Abuse (CISOCA) and the Community Safety and Security Branch (CSSB), offers both emotional support and recreational activities for children who have endured trauma caused by the hurricane,” the senior officer said.

“Counselling is provided for the children. They are taken through a process of just being children by games and fun and laughter,” she added.

The Christmas Village in St. Elizabeth offered children a simulated community experience, allowing them to ‘visit the bank’ to withdraw JCF bucks (dollars) before ‘shopping’ for items of their choice.

“A little girl said she wanted a pink Crocs; she had her JCF bucks and she went shopping. It’s a dignified way of presenting normalcy. So instead of just doing a handout, you come and you select what you want,” SSP Garrick outlined.

The Village also featured refreshments, a bounce house, and traditional Jamaican games, while providing opportunities for children, parents, and police officers to bond in a spirit of community and celebration.

“We were there playing Dandy Shandy and Chinese Skip… it was the police, the parents and the children, everyone,” SSP Garrick said.

Among the most requested treats in the communities were frozen bag juices – simple yet delightful items that brought immense joy to the children.

“You wouldn’t imagine what a tough bag juice means to someone in the west. That was the hit of the day, even just an igloo with ice makes a difference” SSP Garrick shared.

“This gives us an opportunity to just be with the people we serve in a time when they need us, when they just need a reassuring presence to say… ‘we shall recover; we are here with you; we will never leave you alone’,” she added.

The CARE Christmas Village will continue across several western parishes throughout December.

On Wednesday, December 10, it will head to Bethel Town in Westmoreland, including surrounding districts. On Saturday, December 13, it will be staged in Trelawny, Manchester, Clarendon, and St. Ann.

The initiative will then move to Hanover on Thursday, December 18, and conclude in St. James on Saturday, December 20.

SSP Garrick advised that the JCF team is finalising the exact locations and encourages members of the public to follow the organisation’s social media platforms for further updates.