标签： Jamaica

In honor of International Credit Union Day, the Credit Unions of Jamaica will host a free gospel concert titled *Praise in the Park* on Thursday, October 16, at Emancipation Park in New Kingston. The event, now in its third year, aims to celebrate the global observance of International Credit Union Day, which falls on the third Thursday of October annually. The concert will feature renowned gospel acts such as Levy’s Heritage, Johnmark Wiggan, Petra Kaye, Genesis Praise Squad, and Carey Sayles, promising an evening of worship and praise. Katrina Grant D’Aguilar, Group Marketing and Communications Manager for the Jamaica Co-operative Credit Union League Ltd, emphasized that the event serves as a thanksgiving initiative, expressing gratitude to members, non-members, and the broader community for their unwavering support and trust in the credit union movement. She highlighted the event’s alignment with the credit union philosophy of ‘People Helping People,’ underscoring the power of community unity in achieving remarkable outcomes. This year’s concert is expected to surpass previous editions in both reach and impact, with a stellar lineup of Jamaica’s most celebrated gospel artists. Attendees can anticipate dynamic live band performances, uplifting musical ministry, and moments of communal worship. Additionally, the event will feature special outreach initiatives, including a soup kitchen for elders sponsored by CUNA Caribbean. For those unable to attend in person, the concert will be live-streamed via Sora Media on the Credit Unions of Jamaica YouTube channel, with coverage by Caribbean Gospel TV and the Public Broadcasting Corporation of Jamaica (PBCJ). Highlights will also be shared across the Credit Unions’ social media platforms. Oshin Levy of the award-winning gospel trio Levy’s Heritage shared that attendees can look forward to a spirit-filled performance, featuring both beloved classics and new tracks, as the group prepares for their 20th-anniversary celebration in November.

A growing number of Americans are increasingly relying on GoFundMe, the world’s premier crowdfunding platform, to help manage the escalating costs of groceries and other essential living expenses, as reported by Fortune on Monday. Tim Cadogan, the CEO of GoFundMe, highlighted a significant shift in the platform’s usage, noting a surge in campaigns aimed at covering everyday necessities like food, a departure from its traditional focus on medical emergencies and unexpected crises. This trend underscores the profound impact of persistent inflation and rising borrowing costs, which are pushing many households, particularly younger and lower-income families, to their financial limits. Despite a recent cooling in headline inflation, the cumulative price hikes for staples such as food and rent continue to strain budgets. Many families have already exhausted conventional coping strategies, such as switching to cheaper brands or relying on credit cards. Cadogan also suggested that this could mark a pivotal moment in generational wealth transfer, especially if values-driven donors redirect their contributions toward addressing fundamental needs like food security.

Five years after the Mental Health (Offenders) Inquiry Committee, commissioned by Chief Justice Bryan Sykes, urged the Jamaican Ministry of Health to establish dedicated facilities for mentally ill individuals in conflict with the law, no such space has been identified. Hundreds of these individuals remain detained in correctional institutions, often for decades, with half still awaiting trial. The committee, comprising representatives from the judiciary, human rights organizations, and health and correctional services, highlighted the systemic failure to address the therapeutic needs of these detainees. Dr. Kevin Goulbourne, consultant psychiatrist and director of Mental Health and Substance Use at the ministry, recently confirmed that efforts are ongoing to create a more humane environment outside the prison system. The 2020 report emphasized that correctional facilities are ill-equipped to handle mental health care, a responsibility historically shifted from Bellevue Hospital to the Department of Correctional Services in the 1970s. Justice Georgiana Fraser, the committee chair, stressed the urgency of designating appropriate facilities, noting that many detainees have not been tried or found guilty. The report also criticized successive health ministers for failing to address this issue. Goulbourne acknowledged the challenges, including the lack of early assessments and the absence of a forensic psychiatric unit. Health Minister Dr. Christopher Tufton emphasized the need for collaboration between health, justice, and security sectors to improve mental health support for incarcerated individuals. Chief Justice Sykes has called for systemic reforms to ensure timely court appearances and appropriate care for mentally disordered defendants, who currently cannot be discharged without a trial verdict.