KINGSTON Jamaica- Job placements, bank accounts, and government support—all in one place. That’s what residents of East Downtown Kingston found at the Project STAR Community Hub recently, where opportunity met accessibility in a show of partnership between the public and private sectors.

The monthly initiative, coming out of the community-led transformation action plan supported by Project STAR, continues to bridge the gap between underserved communities and essential services. The session saw collaboration with the government’s Programme of Advancement Through Health and Education (PATH) and the National Commercial Bank (NCB), enabling participants to register on-site for benefits and banking services.

“This community hub is an opportunity for residents to learn about existing benefits available through both the private sector and the government,” Myshka Allen, project officer for East Downtown Kingston at Project STAR, explained.

“They can also register for our programmes, including job placement and skills training. Once in the system, we can connect them with job interviews and other forms of support,” she informed.

According to a release from Project STAR, the session also placed a strong emphasis on financial literacy.

Akieme Wilson, business development and financial inclusion officer at Project STAR, said the collaboration with NCB was a strategic move to help residents understand how to manage their finances and become more engaged with the formal banking system.

“Many individuals remain outside the formal financial system, and we want to change that,” Wilson said. “We’re teaching people how to budget, how to save, and eventually how to invest. This is a crucial part of building long-term stability for individuals and families.”

For attendees, the impact was real and immediate.

Charmaine Forbes, a resident of Southside in downtown Kingston, shared that the session helped her uncover information she previously didn’t know was available.

“It’s interesting because I want to work, and I want to find out other things that I don’t know about,” she said. “I found out things from NCB, things that I couldn’t get through with before. I learnt a few things that will help me along in life.”

Michelle Francis from Wildman Street was equally grateful for the day’s events.

“I’m interested in hearing what people talk about with the bank, how to keep banking with our relatives, how to use the cards and how to protect them,” she said. “I really give God thanks for everybody who came out and came together to speak with each and every one of us.”

Allen said that the Community Hub continues to serve as a safe, supportive space for learning and empowerment.

Project STAR will host its next session this month , with plans to expand its outreach and services to reach even more residents seeking change