MONTEGO BAY, St James — Families who have children with disabilities are being urged to end the practice of hiding them, as no one should feel ashamed of the circumstances life places before them.

The appeal came from St James Municipal Corporation CEO Naudia Crosskill during a Christmas treat at Mustard Seed Communities’ Blessed Assurance children’s home in St James which cares for adults and children with disabilities.

“What I find also is that many times when persons have children with disability, they hide them, and some persons maybe leave them in the hospital,” Crosskill lamented at the December 20 treat hosted by Janet Richards Foundation in partnership with Usain Bolt Foundation.

“But you also have some very strong persons who keep their children, and what I find is that when you have an issue, whether it is a child with a disability, a family member with a disability, when you start talking about it, you recognise that there are a lot of persons among us who we know very closely, who are also going through the same situation. So there is no need for us to be ashamed of whatever situation we might find ourselves in,” Crosskill added.

She commended the organisers for their benevolence, praising the Janet Richards Foundation for its long-standing relationship with the home and its commitment to understanding the real needs of Mustard Seed Communities. She also reminded the children that they were valued, loved, and deserving of dignity, regardless of disability.

The event also marked a significant leadership transition for the home, as Administrator Cordell Howell Huie announced that, after 16 years, she is leaving to take up a larger role within the organisation which she has been serving for the past 21 years.

Howell Huie thanked the Janet Richards Foundation, saying that it has been instrumental in sustaining the home’s operations and staff welfare over the years.

She also formally introduced Deacon Dalmas Agan as her successor, effective December 30, expressing confidence that the partnership and support that have defined the home’s progress would continue under his leadership.

Agan, a Kenyan-born Catholic, pledged continuity and collaboration, reaffirming the organisation’s child-centred mission.

He underscored the importance of caring not only for the children but also for the caregivers, particularly in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa that left several staff members severely affected.

During the Christmas treat, the home was presented with four patio table sets with umbrellas, a large tent, portable swimming pool, toiletries, educational supplies, hot meals, and snacks for both residents and staff, along with special gift packages for caregivers.

Janet Richards (right), chair and founder of the Janet Richards Foundation, makes a presentation to Cordell Howell Huie (left) and Deacon Dalmas Agan, outgoing and incoming administrator, respectively, of Mustard Seed Communities’ Blessed Assurance children’s home in St James during a Christmas treat on December 20, 2025.