Even for those of us with first-rate education, and plenty of time to spare, starting a bank account can be tedious.

Consider, then, those from lower socio-economic backgrounds with inadequate literacy and comprehension skills who are too busy hustling, just to stay alive, to even think of entering a bank.

Also, consider the plight of the most impoverished among us who are not on the State’s flagship social assistance initiative — Programme of Advancement through Health and Education (PATH) — simply because they have no clue how or where to apply.

It’s a sad truth that many people go about their business without a second thought for such challenges confronting socio-economically deprived and vulnerable Jamaicans.

It’s with all that in mind that this newspaper feels compelled to enthusiastically applaud a “community hub” initiative, organised monthly by the private sector-led Project STAR which supports some of Jamaica’s most impoverished neighbourhoods.

A story in this newspaper this week relates how the latest such session in downtown Kingston involved collaboration between PATH and National Commercial Bank (NCB) in assisting locals to be registered on the spot for welfare benefits and banking services.

The Project STAR leadership boasts that the organisation’s community hub bridges the gap between underserved people and essential services.

Ms Myshka Allen, project officer for East Downtown Kingston at Project STAR, explains that the initiative represents an “opportunity for residents to learn about existing benefits available through both the private sector and the Government”.

Also, she said, locals can register for other programmes, including job placement and skills training.

“Once in the system, we can connect them with job interviews and other forms of support…,” Ms Allen said.

We admire Project STAR’s emphasis on financial literacy, a serious weakness for many, perhaps most, Jamaicans.

Organisers say the collaboration with NCB was a strategic move to help people better understand how to manage their finances and become more engaged with banks and near banks.

Given the need to change the current reality with many still outside the formal financial system, we are told of people being taught “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”.

Readers may recall that Project STAR was formally launched in mid-2022 by the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ) in partnership with the police as part of an overarching effort to bring peace and stability to our most deprived and crime-prone communities.

It’s been only three years, but from this distance we believe much has been achieved with the project’s social footprint — from sports, through education, to employment, et al — clear for all to see.

The police force has deservedly come in for high praise in recent months for its rigorous enforcement measures which have significantly reduced crime across Jamaica.

This newspaper has consistently argued that such success can only be sustained for the long term if enforcement is complemented by powerful social interventions, twinned to unity of purpose, involving all stakeholders at community and national levels.

Project STAR is showing the way. We all need to follow.