Following the success of its all-inclusive community resource centre, ‘The Source’ in August Town, Jamaica National Building Society (JNBS) has furthered its plans to expand the initiative as a Social Enterprise Franchise.

The JNBS Foundation recently signed MOUs with the St. Ann Chamber of Commerce (SACOC) and the Jamaica Automobile Association (JAA) for two additional locations to be established this year. This has furthered the Society’s plan to roll out The Source as an island-wide franchise.

“We are actively exploring opportunities for further expansion, to extend our reach in under-served communities across the island. The Source Marverley will serve the communities of Marverley, Hughenden and Prembroke Hall. Westmorelites from Russia, Seaton Crescent and Grotto will have access to The Source Savanna-la-Mar and The Source St. Ann will benefit the people of Ocho Rios and surrounding towns,” informs Saffrey Brown, General Manager of the JNBS Foundation.

She explained that, “The business model from which The Source was conceptualised, emphasises partnerships as vital to co-ownership of community initiatives that enhance learning, increase employment, and promote viable enterprise for residents.”

SELF-SUFFICIENT CENTRES
She explained that the franchising operation will be implemented through partnering with private and public sector interests. “These self-supporting centres are intended to stimulate economic growth in areas where access to services is limited. Furthermore, minimal charges to residents for the use of facilities such as the Internet Café will ensure the centres’ viability and continuity,” Miss Brown elaborated.

The Source St. Ann, a $2.5million venture which is backed by JN Foundation and housed in a building owned by the SACOC, promises to bring new life to the community. Its day-to-day operations will be administered by the St. Ann Chamber of Commerce which has committed to using the facility to encourage volunteerism, with a focus on mentoring of young persons in the wider community.

Like The Source August Town and the others scheduled to come on stream, The St. Ann centre will be outfitted with an Internet Café and a resource library and will provide personalised business development as well as startup and support services in association with the Jamaica Business Development Centre (JBDC). Financing for micro, small and medium enterprises will also be available to residents through JN Small Business Loans Limited (JNSBL).

Norma Walters, President of the SACOC believes that the community centre will launch the Chamber further into the 21st century.
“There is great potential to be realised through The Source, and I am very excited about the opportunities it will present for our residents. We will be taking an entrepreneurial approach to help persons on their way to a productive and financially independent life. And one that is inline with the way of the future; equipping persons to stay relevant in this technologically advanced global environment,” she says.

“We will soon be sensitising the community to the services and benefits that are available to them, encouraging persons to take responsibility for their own earning power. If people begin to equate their productivity with what they think they are worth, they are more likely to succeed. Too many young persons are idle on the street,” Mrs. Walters declared, continuing, “The Source will serve as another initiative to reverse this negative development.”

“JN is pleased that our initiatives are generating other corporate partnerships and that we have been successful in stimulating interest and action,” Ms. Brown stated.

Source [Western Mirror]