The Jamaica Diaspora Taskforce Action Network (JDTAN) is excited to announce the launch of a Mentorship Program at Oracabessa High School in St. Mary,

Press Release, Florida, USA. 

The Jamaica Diaspora Taskforce Action Network (JDTAN) is excited to announce the launch of a Mentorship Program at Oracabessa High School in St. Mary, Jamaica, starting on January 8, 2025. This initiative is part of JDTAN's ongoing collaboration with the principal and staff.

After several months of feasibility studies and planning, a team of educational experts within JDTAN has designed this flagship program. The program aims to work with selected students at Oracabessa High School to implement individualized action plans that promote measurable academic gains and help guide them toward successful post-secondary education and fulfilling careers.

Approximately twenty JDTAN staff members will support students in goal-setting, decision-making, developing a growth mindset, aligning personal values, and maintaining benchmarks to improve academic performance and overall personal growth. The program will be conducted virtually, allowing for flexible communication between mentors and mentees. Specific protocols and guidelines will be implemented to ensure all participants' safety and security.

Dr. Collin M. Wolfe, Chair of the Primary & Secondary Education Task Force, leads this initiative. Of Jamaican descent, he is an outstanding graduate of The Mico University College and The University of the West Indies. Now residing in the United States, Dr. Wolfe holds multiple postgraduate degrees, including a doctoral degree in Educational Leadership. He has served the New York City Department of Education in various capacities for over thirty-five years. He is currently enjoying a productive retirement while volunteering his expertise with JDTAN. His dedicated team includes Dr. Nicola Gardere, and seasoned mentors committed to the program's success and its measurable impact on the lives of the students they will serve.

This mentorship program operates alongside a successfully developed socio-emotional intelligence project launched in the fall of 2023. The initiative focuses on enhancing the social, emotional, and academic literacy of seventh-grade students and their teachers, particularly for those transitioning to high school. JDTAN takes pride in Dr. Collin Wolfe's and his team's achievements, and we eagerly anticipate collaborating with the staff and students at Oracabessa High School.

"Clarifying the Roles: Distinguishing JDTAN from the Jamaica Diaspora Crime Intervention and Prevention Task Force"

Several individuals have questioned JDTAN'S involvement in the Jamaica Diaspora Crime Intervention and Prevention Task Force protests of 2024 across different Diaspora regions. As the originator, convenor, and continued operator of Diaspora task forces, it is fair that the question is asked. It is, therefore, crucial to clarify the distinction between JDTAN and the Jamaica Diaspora Crime Intervention and Prevention Task Force. There is no relationship between the two.

Between 2013 and 2017, I founded several task forces to function differently from traditional nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations. The first task force, established in 2013, concentrated on education and was soon followed by additional task forces dedicated to technology, agriculture, and crime intervention. Each task force operated independently, while I provided overall guidance to all of them.

The task forces were established to offer intellectual support instead of physical resources like back-to-school supplies or scholarships. Our main goal was to promote professional development through initiatives such as training sessions, workshops, conferences, panel discussions, and tours. We aimed to leverage the diverse skills and expertise of individuals who have migrated from Jamaica to enhance capacity-building efforts in Jamaica.

In 2019, I decided to consolidate all task forces under a single umbrella to foster broader networks, pool resources, and optimize the professional skills present in the Diaspora. I made several attempts to involve the leadership of the JDCIP task force in this initiative; however, they expressed disinterest in aligning with JDTAN's direction.

JDTAN is dedicated to creating new pathways for national development and operates independently from the JDCIP. It is essential to reiterate that JDTAN and JDCIP share no affiliations; JDTAN has its volunteers, logo, and mission, all vital to its branding. We are committed to collaborating with governments, agencies, and businesses in Jamaica and the Diaspora to promote sustainable development and enhance individual well-being. Our organization is guided by four core principles: Partnership and Collaboration, Leadership Development, Needs Assessment, and Advancing Jamaica through tangible and intangible support.

Our commitment to bringing positive initiatives to our island home forms the foundation of JDTAN's core mission, and we remain dedicated to collaboration for the betterment of Jamaica.