Street People Liberation Foundation Director Ashli-Ann Broughton Jackson (second from left) happily accepts second place award in the Charities category of the NCB Foundation’s Grant a Wish program. Presenting are Dean Simpson, Director of NCB’s Fairview Financial Center, Kanhai Skeen, Director of NCB Foundation, and Fairview Joan Grizzle, Service Quality Manager.
ST. JAMES, Jamaica — The Street People Liberation (SPL) Foundation, a youth-led non-governmental organization in Montego Bay, St. James, plans to expand its philanthropic efforts abroad in 2023.
“This year is going to be a big year for us. This is a good start. One of our first projects will start in Trinidad and Tobago in Port of Spain in March. Details of that particular event will be confirmed soon as we are working to establish the foundation,” said Ashley Ann Broughton-Jackson, director of the foundation.
She was speaking to journalists on Friday after receiving $850,000 from the NCB Foundation’s Grant-a-Wish program on behalf of the group.
As its name suggests, the SPL Foundation is focused on helping the homeless, and Broughton-Jackson said the group is also interested in philanthropic activities that have a positive impact on the environment, so while in Trinidad We also plan to carry out marine-related projects in the future.
Her interest in Trinidad has led to friendships with fellow Caribbean islanders through her interest in the Rotary Club. She hinted at a project outside of Jamaica, but chose not to provide details as aspects are still to be finalized.
Despite SPL’s plans to expand its philanthropic efforts across borders, Broughton Jackson stressed that work will continue domestically.
“In Jamaica, a lot of the work we do is in shelters. We’re getting them on board, and a lot of that will be part of our initiative,” she explained.
The group recently prepared a meal for the residents and employees of the Refuge of Hope Shelter in Albion in the parish.
The SPL Foundation was one of over 900 candidates for NCB’s Grant-a-Wish program. Top finishers will share $15 million in prize money.
According to its website, the SPL Foundation was founded in March 2014 by then-17-year-old Broughton Jackson. This high school student wanted to make a difference in Montego Bay by helping the homeless in Montego Bay. The group started by demonstrating modest diets, then progressed to feeding projects to help larger groups.