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Optimist Club of Manor Park, 4 West Kings House Close, Kingston 10 (2025)

18/11/2025

Greetings Fellow Optimists

We trust that everyone is doing okay following the passage of Hurricane Melissa. Despite the trail of devastation and life distupted we must aspire to return to some semblance of normalcy.

As such on Monday, November 17, 2025, the Optimist Club of Manor Park (OCMP) officially launched it's annual Youth Appreciation Week (YAW).

To kick start our week of activities we had an interactive mentorship session with over 56 students from the Grade six cohort from one of our sponsor School- The New Providence Primary School.

Our special guest was Mr. Khalid Thompson, who is the President of the Men in Law Society at the Norman Manley Law School. Mr. Thompson's delivery was based on the topic "Work Life Balance". He explained with great clarity how as students they can balance their school work with tasks they have to perform around the home and also find time to do some of the activities that they love to do in their own time. He explained to the students how they can transition from each level of the educational system applying the same work life balance system to achieve their goals. He is a final year student at Norman Manley Law School.

Youth Appreciation Week continued this morning - Tuesday, November 18th with the Launch of the Grade 6 Boy and Girl of the Year 2025/2026 at the New Providence Primary School. The criteria for the selection was shared with the School population. A team of adjudicators will be selected by the management of the School. The prize will be given at the School Leaving Ceremony at the end of the School year. The 2 winners will receive a trophy and a gift certificate.

Secondly, the Creative/Artistic Expression Contest was relaunched. This time children will get a greater opportunity to participate.

The next Project to celebrate Youth Appreciation Week will be next week when the club sponsor a visit to the Money Museum at the Bank of Jamaica.

Kindly see the pictorial attached for which the relevant permission was granted.

06/11/2025

Greetings fellow Optimists/ Friends of Optimist (FOO)

On Thursday, October 2, 2025 to official commence the 2025-26 new Optimist International Club year, our FOO Dr.KingLocke-Findey partnered with the Optimist Club of Manor Park (OCMP) to celebrated her birthdate anniversary with the staff and wards of State at the Wortley Home for Girls.

The day of celebration proceeded with a cocktail treat inclusive if non-alcoholic wine, followed by the distribution of cash grants and 16 personlised gift packages to the young ladies & 6 staff members. The function also featured a motivational speech given by Dr. Kinglocke-Findley, who was commended for her kindness and taking the time to visit the Home.

Please see pictorial highlights below - of note in keeping with State laws, the wardens faces are turned away from the camera to protect their privacy.

06/10/2025

Happy Optimist New Year !!! 💯🎉🎊

30/09/2025

Greetings fellow Optimists/ FOO !!!

As the 2024-25 club term comes to an official end today (30/09/25) we want to thank the out-going President Marcia and her tem for their stellar leadership. We also want to congratulate President-Designate Matthew who will take up the mantle of leadership tomorrow (01/10/25).

This post serves to highlight recent activities/ events that the Optimist Club of Manor Park (OCMP) embarked on to close out this Club year.

1.School Visitation Excercise
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On Wednesday, September 10, 2025, the Club handed over stationery items to the Lalyce Gray Basic School and Seaview Early Childhood Centre.

The Principals Mrs. Saddler and Mrs.Johnson respectively were on hand to receive the supplies .
Both Principals expresses their gratitude on behalf of the schools, and thanked the Club for the continued partnership.

In addition the Club also started a "Phonics Corner" at Lalyce Gray Early Centre. The School was given learning aids to assist in this area. This is a direct response to a need identified coming out of the District program to increase literacy.

Mrs.Johnson Principal of Seaview Early Childhood centre presented the Club with Certificate of Appreciation for continued partnership with the school.

President Marcia,S/T Diana ,Optimist Carolle and Past President Humphrey were on hand at both handover events.

2.Wortley Home for Girls Visitation
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On Saturday, September 20, 2025, the O.C Manor visited with the wards at Wortley Home for Girls.

This visitation consisted of a series of engaging events such as jewelry making (bracelet) as well as an introductory session on Sign Language to improve inclusivity. These sessions were facilitated by Friend of the Club, Dr. Patricia Kinglocke-Findlay and her team.

It was a day well spent and the Club expresses its thanks to Dr.Findlay for facilitating the session.

Members in attendance were : President Marcia, S/T Diana, PPs Reginald and Humphrey and Charter Member Carolle.

3.Tea for the Elderly & Indigent Program
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On Tuesday, September 9, 2025, the club executed its monthly " Tea for the Elderly/Indigent Project" at the Mona Baptist Church. Approximately 60 clients benefited from the project.

As usual, the clients expressed gratitude to the Club for the tea and roll received. The Group continues to fulfil its mandate in working for the less fortunate in our community.

The Club continues to fulfill its mandate of looking out for our children and vulnerable population.

Kindly see the pictorial below for which the relevant permission was granted

08/09/2025

Greetings fellow Optimists

In recognition of "Back-2-School 2025", the Optimist Club of Manor Park (OCMP) will be embarking on a series of school tours at our sponsor schools to donate school supplies and stationery. The schools that will benefit are the New Providence Primary School, Seaview Early Childhood Development Centre, and the Lalyce Gray Basic School.

Today we will highlight our 1st stop which was on Monday, September 1, 2025, when the Club handed over stationery items to the New Providence Primary School. These items were recieved by Vice Principal Mrs. Bennett who expressed gratitude on behalf of the school.

The pictorial attached for which the relevant permission was granted features children from the Grade 1 cohort who were present for orientation.

The Club continues to fulfill its mandate of looking out for our nation"s children.

Many blessings 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾

29/07/2025

Greetings fellow Optimists!!!

On July 1st , the Optimist Club of Manor Park (OCMP) once again participated in the annual School Leaving Ceremony for New Providence Primary School.

As customary, the Club recognised and presented both the Top Girl (M. Douglas) and Boy (R. Roberts) for the academic Year, with a trophy and a gift card.

The presentation was made by our very own Director Monica with portfolio responsibilities for Youth Service.

Kindly see the pictorial below for which the relevant permission was granted.

02/07/2025

Greetings fellow Optimists/ Friends of Optimist (FOO)

On Friday, June 20,2025 ,the Optimist Club of Manor Park (OCMP) participated in the Prize giving ceremony at the Lalyce Gray Early Childhood Centre - which is one of the Club's sponsor school.

At this ceremony, the Inaugural "Pat McLean Educational Grant" was presented to Student J. Brown by President Marcia Forrester. The Late Patricia McLean was a past distinguished President for the Club, past CHaRM Committe Chair at the district level as well as an outstanding past Lieutenant Governor (LtG) for Zone One of the Optimist International Caribbean District (OICD).

The Awardee was chosen by his teachers for the remarkable improvement in his academic performance . He was awarded a plaque and book certificate to assist in preparation for his transition to the primary level.

Below are pictorials from the event for which the relevant permission was granted to share.

30/05/2025

Greetings fellow Optimists!!!

As Youth Month 2025 in Jamaica draws to a close, today we will highlight our recent annual visit to the Houses of Parliament to mark the club's " Respect for Law Week".

On Tuesday, May 27th, Twenty-five Grade 5 students and 2 teachers from the New Providence Primary School were taken on a visit to the Houses of Parliament.

The children and teachers were briefed on the roles and function of the Parliament by the Public Relations Officer, Ms. Shernette Johnson.

The Group observed a sitting of the Senate Privileges Committee to review private members motion on Elderly Care and Protection in Jamaica which was tablero by Senator Floyd Morris. It was a hybrid meeting of Jamaica Senators and was chaired by Senator Sherine Golding- Campbell in the Upper Chamber.

It was an enlightening experience for both the students and teachers.

Accompanying the Group were Past Distinguished President Romario Simpson and Chairperson Monica Robinson.

Please see some pictures of this memorable occasion for which the relevant permission was granted.

19/04/2025

Happy Easter fellow Optimists/ Friends of Optimist (FOO).

On Wednesday, April 16th, the Optimist Club of Manor Park (OCMP) executed its annual Easter Treat at the Seaview Early Childhood Development Centre in Harbour View.

The treat not only consisted of the usual Bun & Cheese Easter Delicacy but thanks to Optimist Duann, the children were also served Ice-cream for the 2025 staging of the treat.

The treat was well recieved and the Club was formerly thanked by the School Chairman Rev Dacosta.

The Club was represented by: VPs Romario/ Lorraine, S/T Diana, Dir Duann and Optimist Matthew (who briefly joined virtually).

Below is the video editorial from the event for which the relevant permission was granted to share.

10/04/2025

Greetings Fellow Optimists/ FOO

On March 14, 2025 the Optimist Club of Manor Park ( OCMP) in association with "Men in Law" participated in the annual Boys' Day Programme at the Cockburn Gardens Primary School.

The "Men in Law" is the community out reach initiative of students at the Norman Manley Law School at UWI, Mona.

The group was represented by both 1st and 2nd year Attorneys-in-training who had three (3) separate impactful & interactive educational talks with 60 students from across the Grades 1, 3 & 5 cohort.

In keeping with this year's theme - "Mentoring Heroes - Saving our boys...Securing their future"; the young emerging lawyers encouraged the boys to enjoy their childhood, by studying hard, playing & building relationships.

The sessions also focused on personal development, anger management, and future careers.

Attached is a pictorial for which the relevant permission was granted.

26/03/2025

Greetings fellow Optimists/ FOO

Recently on March 21st, the Optimist Club of Manor Park (OCMP) Team comprising of President Marcia, CM Carolle, Dir. Shakira & CP Regi; launched the Club's Literacy Project at the Lalyce Gray Basic School in Constant Spring, St. Andrew.

The Club interacted with students by participating in story reading & writing exercises and practicing the pronounciation of words. This project is primarily aimed at targeting the children who were identified by the school administration as reading below their respective grade levels. (Disclaimer -these students are not photographed).

The Club extended thanks to the Principal, Mrs. Beverley Saddler, for this amazing opportunity and the club intends to continue the reading programme on our next visit in May.

Lastly, this project is in alignment with the Optimist International Caribbean District (OICD) flagship programme: "Literacy Continues...Let's Read & Write Together".

Please see pictorial highlights below for which the relevant permission was granted.

20/03/2025

Greetings fellow Optimist/ FOO

On Sunday, March 09, 2025, the Optimist Club of Manor Park ( OCMP) hosted an elegant Sunday Brunch with the House Mothers and Residents at the Wortley Home for Girls.

The dining room was transformed into a elegant "Five star" eatery by Duran and his team as seen by the pictorial attached.

Not to be outdone Damian and the Bon fire Catering provided the meal: Jerk chicken,escoveitch fish, rice and peas, pasta, vegetable, fruit platter,waffles , "pigs in a blanket", assortments of cupcake, cheese cake and trifle.

We were joined on this occasion by a Jamaican celebrity- Ms. Karen Booker (The Dezign Diva) who gave the Girls an impromptu pep talk.

The girls and House Mother were all presented with gifts, which were well recieved.

On behalf of the Club we say a "Big Thank you " to Optimist Antoinette McFarlane who was the main sponsor of the Brunch and who afforded the Club the opportunity to treat the girls in this elegant fashion. Thanks to all the other club members and friends of the Club who were on hand to lend assistance as needed.

Present were President Marcia,Director Monica, Duann and Regi, S-T Diana Optimist Antoinette and friends of the Club,Donna Simone ,Camelia and young Antoinette.

Optimist Club of Manor Park