Chicago Concerned Jamaicans Inc. was founded in 1988 to aid in the relief efforts in Jamaica after the devastation caused by Hurricane Gilbert. Having accomplished that goal the founding members recognized the need to continue addressing the many social & economic needs of Jamaicans, and decided to form a permanent organization with the stated mission:

"...To provide Cooperative and Charitable support in the area of Education."

The CCJ membership is comprised of Jamaicans and friends living in Chicago and its surrounding areas. Since 1988 the organization has provided more than $600,000 (U.S.) in goods, services and cash donations to students, schools, libraries and other institutions.

2006-2007

Recent Highlights

2007-We continued our scholarship program in Jamaica delivering a check for $19,000.00 to aid our students in attending school all over the island. Additionally, we continue to provide scholarships for students attending Kettering University in Michigan; in honor of our friend and founding member, Doug McIntyre and with the generous support of the Paris family here in Chicago. Our local committee brought to our attention the need to help students in Jamaica pass their CXC exams. So CCJ partnered with a group of Caribbean post-graduate students who launched an online website that will give school children access to more than 4,000 English, Mathematics, Science and Social Studies practice questions. Also included, full-length timed computer adaptive tests which simulates the actual exam; a resource center for parents with practice questions, answers, explanations and online help. This program is now accessible at the William-Knibb School in Trelawny and the New Green School in Manchester.

We are also honored to help support a very worthwhile organization here in Chicago called the Better Boys Foundation, founded in 1961 by Joseph Kellman. The goal of the BBF is to provide North Lawndale youths a safe, stable and nurturing experience that will enhance their emotional, social, academic and career development. This will allow them to become self-sufficient and productive citizens.

2007 Our Students Excel

We have successfully assisted four students through primary,
secondary, CXC examinations and university to the work force.

Clifton McCleod received his Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering
from the University of the West Indies and is now employed in the
Bauxite Industry as a Mechanical Engineer.

Oona Edwards received her Bachelor’s Degree in Hospitality Management
from the University of Technology. She is now employed with the
Caribbean World Television Station producing and presenting their
“Healthy Cooking” program live on TV.

Trudy Langley completed Commercial Business Training at Holy Childhood
and is employed as an account representative at Life of Jamaica Insurance
Company while attending the University of the West Indies.

Denise Davidson has completed training in Agricultural Science at
the College of Agricultural, Science and Education and is now teaching in St. Mary.

During their studies, all of these students visited Chicago as
our guests, received full benefits through high school, payment
of CXC fees, and partial financial support in University & College;
received mentoring from members, support from the local committee
as well as job search and placement support after graduation.
We gave our children the hope to dream and they dreamt big, it
is our responsibility to help them achieve their educational
dreams, wherever they may take them. Together we can.

2006-CCJ maintained the annual scholarship and examination assistance program, adding more students and maintaining stipends of US$500-US$1200.00 for 50 students. To date, CCJ has provided over 352 high-school scholarships, provided over 96 CXC examination fees and over 12 college-level scholarships.

2006- CCJ awarded American born Langston Wesley US$500.00, the first black male valedictorian at Morgan Park High School, a ninety-year old institution. Langston will use this stipend award at Stanford University.

CCJ Achievement Award recipient is Jamaican-born, Thavia Robinson. Miss Robinson is from Jones Town, Kingston, Jamaica and is renowned for her educational achievement. Like the legendary bird, the phoenix, she rose from the obstacles of growing up in an inner city to achieve educational stardom.

CCJ Distinguished Service Award 2006 is awarded to someone associated with Jamaica who has made an outstanding contribution to the lives of young people - Mr. Michael Lee-Chin.
Mr. Lee-Chin Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of AIC Limited, President of the Berkshire Group of companies, Chairman of National Commercial Bank Jamaica Limited, and Chairman of Senvia Money Services Inc. CCJ is proud to celebrate his remarkable goal to raise JA $50 million dollars for the development of programs to eradicate illiteracy in Jamaica.

1988-2007

Scholarship Program and Other Educational Support:

Beginning in 1996, CCJ members recognized the need to provide financial
assistance to high-school students to help them complete secondary school. The
CCJ scholarship program was launched, initially providing four students with
stipends of US $500 per year for books, uniforms and other essential incidentals.

In 1989, provided the Manchester (parish) Principals’ Association with funds to
assist children to sit examinations. In 1996, this program was expanded to pay
examination fees for students throughout Jamaica so that they could register for
the Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) examinations, which are required to
complete high school.

In 1993 CCJ responded to an emergency request to assist with widespread vision
problems among students at Leicesterfield All-Age School in Clarendon. We
contracted an eye doctor who evaluated and supplied glasses for students and
teachers at a cost of JA $489,000.

Throughout the mid-1990s, CCJ donated or arranged donations of computers and
software, classroom supplies, photocopiers and library books to schools in all
parts of Jamaica, from the eastern to the western tip of the island. CCJ supplied 57
computers, assorted software, 13 printers and 10 electronic typewriters to various
schools throughout the island. Some of this equipment was purchased by CCJ,
while other donors, including Northwestern University and Evanston Hospital contributed some. CCJ also arranged contributions of 30 other computers from various companies and individuals, which were delivered to the Rotary Club for schools in Jamaica.
Baxter International provided another 20 Y2K-ready computers. Air Jamaica provided transportation from Chicago to Jamaica for all this equipment.

By the late 1990s, CCJ’s scholarship program and the examination fee assistance
had expanded to assist approximately 40 high-school students under each initiative.
In addition, CCJ was providing tuition and other educational assistance
to selected high-school students in the Chicago area and was donating US $1,000
annually to the United Negro College Fund.
CCJ has further expanded the annual scholarship and examination assistance
program, adding new students as previous recipients graduated. We now provide
annual assistance of US $500-$1,200 per year for 45-50 students.

In 2000 CCJ dedicated college scholarships to memorialize the lives and services
of two distinguished Jamaicans, the Honorable Kay A. A. Baxter, late Consul
General of Jamaica in New York, and the Honorable Dolphy T. McLaughlin, late
Honorary Consul of Jamaica in Chicago.

Since 2000 CCJ has donated US $1,000 annually to the Alfred Sangster Foundation to
help fund a scholarship to the University of Technology (UTECH), Jamaica.
This stipend ended in 2006.

In 2003-2004, CCJ provided two tertiary education grants for students enrolled in
trade schools in the United States and Jamaica and also awarded special grants to
one student in Jamaica and one in Chicago to enable them to continue their
college education.

In 2005, CCJ inaugurated The Douglas McIntyre Engineering Scholarship in honor
of a beloved founding member of CCJ who passed away that year. This
scholarship of US $5,000 was presented to an Industrial Engineering student as a
stipend of US $1,000 per year, for the duration of her degree program.

CCJ provided ten sixth-form students in Jamaica with Examination Fees ranging
from JA $10,000-22,000 to enable them to register for the exams required for
college entrance.

A special award of US $2,000 was given to a Jamaican student attending
Lindenwood University in Missouri to enable her to continue her studies.

In 2006, CCJ donated two computers to the Marywood All-Age School in Marywood, St. Elizabeth.

Disaster Relief and Other Assistance:

In 1988, CCJ members responded to the Hurricane Gilbert relief effort by initiating the collection, packaging and shipment of food, clothing and medical supplies to Jamaica. The following year, medical supplies were donated to Black River Hospital in St. Elizabeth.

Further disaster-relief efforts included contributions to the Hurricane Andrew
Relief Fund in Jamaica and the United States in 1990 and contributions to the
Jamaica Flood Relief Fund in 1993. In 1997, CCJ made donations to the Red Cross
relief effort for victims of the volcano on the Caribbean island of Montserrat.

Through the generosity of Ameritech, CCJ was able to deliver an X-ray machine
and healthcare supplies to the Concerned Haitians Americans of Illinois, and to
send medical supplies to the Lady Kiwanis of Kingston.

CCJ received high praise for hurricane assistance checks totaling JA $260,000
presented to Basic Schools at a ceremony attended by an official of the Ministry of
Education, Jamaica.

Library Project:

In 1999 CCJ launched a project with the Jamaica Library Service to equip Public
Parish Libraries with technology to enable the Jamaican communities served by
these libraries to have access to the information superhighway. Initially, three
internet-ready computer systems consisting of high-speed computers, modems,
scanners, fax machines and printers were donated and installed in libraries in
Kingston, Manchester and St. Thomas.

In the following three years CCJ equipped public libraries with computers in the
parishes of Clarendon, St. Elizabeth, St. Ann, Trelawny, St. James, St. Mary and
Portland. In 2003, CCJ completed the library information technology project by
installing modern internet-capable computer suites in all remaining Public Parish
Libraries in Jamaica, as well as a computer that became the new island-wide
server for the Jamaica Library Service.

The Jamaica Association of Libraries honored CCJ in 2004 by presenting a plaque
of appreciation for significant contributions to library sciences in Jamaica.


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