Stewardship in Jamaica

From Dan Conway’s The Good Steward, May 2009

During the beginning of Holy Week 2009, I was privileged to visit St. Patrick’s Foundation in Kingston, Jamaica. The Foundation is a non-profit human and community development organization established more than 25 years ago in some of Jamaica’s poorest communities. St. Patrick’s Foundation is an expression of stewardship in action, a testimony to the miracles that can occur when people share their time, talent and treasure for the benefit of others!

I was welcomed warmly by Monsignor Richard Albert, Founder/Director, and by Mr. Fabian Brown, Managing Director. I had the opportunity to see first-hand the four centers operated by the Foundation and to meet with many dedicated staff and clients from diverse backgrounds, ages and experience levels. I also met with several board members who shared with me their personal commitment and support for the work of St. Patrick’s Foundation. Finally, I enjoyed the gracious hospitality of His Grace, the Most Reverend Donald James Reece, Archbishop of Kingston, who emphasized the importance of St. Patrick’s Foundation to the overall mission and ministries of the Archdiocese.

The purpose of my visit was to offer some observations and recommendations on the fundraising potential of St. Patrick’s foundation – especially in light of the global economic crisis that has had a negative effect on donations to the Foundation – from both local and international sources. The following observations are based on my observations and conversations while in Jamaica, but they also represent foundational principles and “best practices” in stewardship and development for Catholic organizations …

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