The Forward Step Foundation is striving to make a difference in the municipality of Portmore, St Catherine.
Founded ten years ago by Gregory Park resident Miguel ‘Steppa’ Williams, the foundation is now benefiting from the support of the Digicel Foundation, which provided a grant of US$1.2 million over two years to expand its work in social enterprise development through the Queen’s Young Leaders Programme.
The funding has already assisted the Forward Step Foundation in building its own headquarters and reducing overhead costs.
The funds provided through Digicel Foundation have also enabled Forward Step to move ahead with its media training programme, and to purchase the necessary equipment for a recording studio and digital editing programme. The Forward Step Foundation, which hosts its own lively YouTube channel, Di Streetz TV, focuses on the arts and culture as keys to development.
Training is already taking place in several other areas, including carpentry and landscaping while workshops on television- presenting and graphic design are planned. An important aspect of the foundation’s work is teaching life skills at training workshops including sessions relating to building self-esteem, confidence and teamwork.
With these funds, the Forward Step Foundation aims to boost its crafts and manufacturing training programmes. The new training will directly impact more than 50 young people age 14 to 30 years old, and involve about 500 other community members.
Source: Jamaica Gleaner
Jamaica Highlights 