With singing and playful screams as the backdrop, the 2023-24 cohort of FHC Civil Servants of the Year handed over their community project on July 30.

The three awardees — Christene Rowe, secretary in the Ministry of Legal and Constitutional Affairs in the Technical Support category; Ruth McGrowder, senior case officer at the Administrator General’s Department in the Mid-Managerial category; and Opal Bryan, corporate planner at the Administrator General’s Department in the Managerial category — worked on the joint undertaking at the Reddie’s Place of Safety on Mountain View Avenue.

The trio proudly displayed their collaboration to enhance the quality of life of the 19 children and four staff. The work, which started before Labour Day (May 23, 2024) saw the remediation of termites, roofing and general repairs, plumbing fixture replacement, painting and general cleaning.

The attendees included Stacie-Ann N Carty, Administrator-General and CEO; keynote speaker Techa Clarke-Griffiths, president of the Jamaica Civil Service Association; Michelle Tracey, assistant general manager of marketing, communications and member experience at First Heritage Co-operative Credit Union (FHC); and Sylvia Shirley-Sterling from the Civil Service Week Planning Committee. Also in attendance were members of the Kiwanis Club of North St Andrew and several other project sponsors.

The project, focused on renovation, beautification and organisation of the facility, was sponsored by FHC and was well supported by other partners such as: BH Paints, Spectrum Systems Limited, Tools Hardware Limited and the Jamaica Civil Service Association.

“Today, we are here to celebrate under the theme ‘Achieving Excellence Through Collaboration’,” Tracey said during her remarks. “This theme resonates deeply with us [FHC] as it highlights the power of working together towards a common goal… a testament to the incredible impact that collaboration can have on our society.”

After the ceremony, the attendees toured the facility, with renovations now completed and valued at over $800,000. Upgraded areas include the main dining area, bathroom facilities, reorganisation and painting of the library area, painting and general landscaping of the exterior of the facility.

Nominations now open

The FHC Civil Servants of the Year 2024-25 nominations are now open with FHC Credit Union in association with the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service. The forms are available on the Credit Union’s and the Ministry’s websites. Nominations are open until August 30, 2024.

“We take immense pride in supporting our Civil Servants over the years. You are like family to us, and we cherish the strong bond we have built,” Tracey explained. “Your unwavering dedication and service to our community inspire us to continue our efforts in fostering positive change. The success of this project is a clear illustration of what can be accomplished through collaboration and a shared vision for a better future.”