WROC Honors the Women of the Lyndhurst/Greenwich Community

First of all, I wish the Women’s Resource and Outreach Centre (WROC) a Very Happy 35th Birthday! The community-based organisation was established on International Women’s Day, 1983. On that day this year – March 8 – WROC paid tribute to those women who have worked hard over the years to uplift and support the residents of the Lyndhurst/Greenwich community in Kingston, where WROC is located. This was part of a project with National Integrity Action (NIA). Kudos to the amazing WROC team!

The awardees for dedicated service to community and nation building at the recent International Women’s Day Forum and Awards Ceremony hosted by the Women’s Resource & Outreach Centre. WROC also celebrated their 35th anniversary as an established NGO.
From left to right: Sister Grace Yapp, Joy Mathews, June Barnes Lewis, Agatha Lewis and Joyce Linton, seated. (Photo: WROC)

March 8, 2018

“Nuh trouble wi, leave di women alone”: WROC hosts International Women’s Day Forum and 35th Anniversary Awards Luncheon

The Women’s Resource & Outreach Centre (WROC) recognized five (5) women from the Lyndhurst/Greenwich Community on International Women´s Day for their outstanding contribution to community development and nation building.

The women recognized were:

Joy Mathews who has dedicated her life to community development, youth and peace advocacy for over 27 years;

Sister Grace Yapp is a member of the Franciscan Ministries, who has worked in numerous communities across Jamaica for over 30 years providing upliftment and support to Jamaicans in need;

Joyce Linton has worked through the Lyndhurst Methodist Church to help the Community of Lyndhurst/Greenwich;

June Barnes Lewis has taken a leadership role in promoting participation in representational politics. She has worked tirelessly for years to ensure that her community of Lyndhurst/ Greenwich receives the maximum benefits accorded them by the Government;

Agatha Lewis has worked with the Women’s Resource and Outreach Centre for 15 years, sticking with the organisation through thick and thin as they serve residents of the surrounding community.

A tearful Joyce Linton accepts her award for dedicated service to women’s rights and advocacy from WROC’s Chairperson Lorna Lee, at the recently held International Women’s Day Forum and Luncheon at the Lyndhurst Methodist Church yesterday. This event was held in celebration of the Women’s Resource & Outreach Centre’s 35th anniversary as a NGO. (Photo: WROC)

Ms June, after receiving her award stated “Community work, I sleep it, I walk it, I dream about it, and today I say thank you.” The same sentiments were shared among the women and Ms Joy Mathews showed her appreciation by encouraging WROC to keep doing what they are doing. She ended tearfully by saying “Mi haffi big up WROC fi dem initiatives weh mek mi so powerful as a community mobiliser.”

The celebration was held at the Lyndhurst Methodist Church, where more than 60 women from the Lyndhurst/Greenwich community gathered to “reason.” Mrs. Linnette Vassell asked the women to reflect on leadership within their homes as this will then reflect on how they lead in the society. The discussion called for an end to issues that not only these women face on a daily basis, but those which also affect women around the world such as domestic abuse, disrespect, rape, injustice and inequality.

This activity, which was funded by the National Integrity Action (NIA) under the Strengthening a Culture of Integrity in Jamaica (SCIJ) project, is one in the series of events planned by WROC to help celebrate women all month long, as they help to strengthen a culture of integrity in Jamaica. A banquet for young men and women of the Lyndhurst and Trench Town communities, to be held this Saturday at the Webster Memorial Church, is a collaborative effort with WROC, Fathers United for Change out of Trench Town and the Webster Memorial Church Boys’ Brigade.

Rebel on the Run singer Yeza serenades the women at the International Women’s Day Forum and Awards Ceremony held at the Lyndhurst Methodist Church. This event was part of the Women’s Resource & Outreach Centre’s 35th anniversary celebration. (Photo: WROC)

For more information about this press release, and WROC please contact Onica Grannum on 929-8873 or wroccommunications@gmail.com or Ms Marsha Grant on 839-6544 or kymanie25@gmail.com.

The Women’s Resource & Outreach Centre is a non-profit organization that was established thirty-five (35) years ago on International Women’s Day, March 8, 1983. We cater to the Lyndhurst/Greenwich and surrounding communities by providing support to women and their families, as well as young men. Our programmes include employability training, gender advocacy, research and communication, remedial classes, seniors club and community building.

The Strengthening a Culture of Integrity in Jamaica project is being undertaken by the National Integrity Action and WROC to target issues of corruption and Gender Based Violence.