THE Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) is taking joy, stability, and renewed hope to children across western Jamaica this Christmas through its Children’s Advocacy, Recovery, and Empowerment (CARE) initiative.

Speaking during a Jamaica Information Service (JIS) Think Tank on Monday, head of the Constabulary Communications Network (CCN), Senior Superintendent Dahlia Garrick, explained that the project was designed with an overarching focus on addressing both the immediate and long-term needs of youngsters.

The first leg of the Christmas Village component of the CARE initiative was launched on December 6 in St Elizabeth, where scores of children were treated to fun-filled games and received additional support services.

Garrick explained that the intervention began reaching children in the immediate aftermath of Category 5 Hurricane Melissa that made landfall on October 28. She noted that the JCF has since extended the programme into the Yuletide season.

“We know that we are very caught up in everything and trying to provide the basics…but our children, they, too, need help. The initiative, led by the Centre for the Investigation of Sexual Offences and Child Abuse (CISOCA) and the Community Safety and Security Branch (CSSB), offers both emotional support and recreational activities for children who have endured trauma caused by the hurricane,” said Garrick.

“Counselling is provided for the children. They are taken through a process of just being children by games and fun and laughter,” added Garrick.

The Christmas Village in St Elizabeth offered children a simulated community experience, allowing them to ‘visit the bank’ to withdraw ‘JCF bucks’ before ‘shopping’ for items of their choice.

“A little girl said she wanted a pink Crocs; she had her JCF bucks and she went shopping. It’s a dignified way of presenting normalcy. So instead of just doing a handout, you come and you select what you want,” Garrick outlined.

The village also featured refreshments, a bounce house, and traditional Jamaican games, while providing opportunities for children, parents, and members of the JCF to bond in a spirit of community and celebration.

“We were there playing Dandy Shandy and Chinese Skip…it was the police, the parents, and the children — everyone,” Garrick said.

Among the most requested treats in the communities were frozen bag juices — simple yet delightful items that brought immense joy to the children.

“You wouldn’t imagine what a tough bag juice means to someone in the west. That was the hit of the day, even just an igloo with ice makes a difference,” Garrick shared.

“This gives us an opportunity to just be with the people we serve in a time when they need us, when they just need a reassuring presence to say… ‘We shall recover; we are here with you; we will never leave you alone,’ ” added Garrick.

The CARE Christmas Village will continue across several western parishes throughout December.

On Wednesday it was in Bethel Town, Westmoreland, while on Saturday it will be staged in Trelawny, Manchester, Clarendon, and St Ann.

The CARE Christmas Village is scheduled to move to Hanover on Thursday, December 18, and conclude in St James on Saturday, December 20.

According to Garrick, the JCF team is finalising the exact locations for these stops and further updates will be provided on its social media platforms.

A member of the JCF having fun with children at the first leg of the Christmas Village component of the CARE Initiative in St Elizabeth. 

He probably will never be called to the Reggae Boyz but this cop believes he has enough skills to get past a youngster during the first left of the Christmas Village component of the CARE Initiative in St Elizabeth.  

Marshalling the troops is this cop during the first leg of the JCF Christmas Village component of the CARE Initiative in St Elizabeth.