Monthly Report: October 2016 - USAID/JAMAICA COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT AND TRANSFORMATION PROJECT - PHASE II (COMET II)

The project focuses on community-driven crime prevention and strengthening legitimate local governance structures. In October 2016, COMET II continued to deliver small grants to community-based organizations, awarding its first grant in Year Four to Chapelton Community Development Committee (CDC) Ltd. The project also made progress on two community resource center (CRC) grants, with Kitson Town CDC finishing the installation of containers and Cambridge CDC installing containers and affixing a roof to the building. COMET II social enterprise grants are being implemented in five parishes, with grantees making headway on their projects. Highlights include the Kingston and St. Andrew Football Association conducting poultry rearing sessions, Mighty Sculptors Youth Project holding a graduation for its participants, and Fathers United for Change Ltd. purchasing and retrofitting a sea container for its social enterprise. The project also provided technical assistance to CDCs and other key stakeholders to develop CRC strategic plans designed to mainstream community development and community-based policing activities. COMET II hosted several sessions with the Rockfort CRC to develop CRC strategic plans, which included topics such as CRC management, program activities, and social enterprise. The sessions were facilitated by COMET II staff and supported by the Social Development Commission and the Jamaica Constabulary Force. The project's work with the Rockfort CRC aimed to streamline operations and improve coordination between the CRC and the police. The sessions produced a schedule of activities for the first quarter of Year 4, including a health and information fair, a town hall meeting, and a community event to mobilize the community to access services offered at the CRC. COMET II's grants team continues to monitor the implementation of ongoing grants by conducting site visits and reviewing reports submitted by grantees. The project also provided technical assistance to grantees, including the Enos Barrett Disabled Group and the Mount Carey Citizen Association, which are currently in the pre-award phase. The project's focus on community-driven crime prevention and strengthening legitimate local governance structures is aimed at reducing crime and promoting community development in Jamaica. COMET II's work with community-based organizations and CDCs is designed to support the long-term integration of CRCs within communities and improve the services offered by the CRCs to the community. The project's social enterprise grants are being implemented in five parishes, with grantees making headway on their projects. The grants team continues to monitor the implementation of ongoing grants and provide technical assistance to grantees. COMET II's work with the Rockfort CRC has produced a schedule of activities for the first quarter of Year 4, which includes a health and information fair, a town hall meeting, and a community event to mobilize the community to access services offered at the CRC. The project's focus on community development and community-based policing activities is aimed at reducing crime and promoting community development in Jamaica. COMET II's work with community-based organizations and CDCs is designed to support the long-term integration of CRCs within communities and improve the services offered by the CRCs to the community.