TWENTY-FIVE young Jamaicans who are ageing out of State care will have their university education fully funded over the next four years, after Supreme Ventures Foundation (SVF) unveiled a $100-million scholarship programme — the largest expansion of an initiative born from the company’s 25th anniversary.

The announcement was made at a ceremony at the AC Hotel Kingston, under the theme ‘Dream Supreme: From Potential to Purpose’.

It builds on the 20th anniversary scholarship programme, rolled out in 2021, which sent 20 scholars from State care to university. That cohort’s performance inspired SVF not only to renew the programme, but to grow it.

Delivered in partnership with the Child Protection and Family Services Agency (CPFSA), the programme goes well beyond a tuition cheque. Each of the 25 scholars will receive full tuition and accommodation coverage for the duration of their degree; a monthly stipend to cover living costs; ongoing counselling support to help them navigate the emotional weight of leaving State care while stepping into independent adulthood; and pep-up sessions addressing the whole person, not just academic performance.

Scholarship recipient Teshauna Lewis (centre) stands alongside Krista-Gaye Fisher (left), CEO of Supreme Ventures Services Limited; and Stefan Miller, CEO of Supreme Ventures Gaming, at the launch of the Supreme Ventures Foundation’s scholarship programme at the AC Hotel Kingston on September 11.

For a company that built its fortune on games of chance, SVF’s Executive Chairman Gary Peart drew a direct line between the business and the mission.

Addressing the scholars Peart said, “Twenty-five years ago, a small gaming company started in Jamaica with two games. Today, we stand as a billion-dollar company. Along the way, we have helped change the lives of thousands of Jamaicans through our games, but all of those winners won by chance. Today, we are investing in you to make you winners not by chance, but by choice.”

Over the 25 years that it has operated SVF’s philanthropic arm, it has backed initiatives spanning education, health, sports, culture and community development, including its support of the CHASE Fund, with total contributions to the Government entity exceeding $50 billion since inception.

The 20th anniversary scholarship programme was one of those investments, and the most powerful evidence of its impact came from one of its own graduates.

Elisa Whyte, a member of the 2021 cohort, lost her mother as a child and spent much of her adolescence at Yadel Girls’ Home.

Scholarship recipient Theamore Dickens (centre) smiles brightly with Jason Brown (left), manager of alternate care services for the CPFSA; and Kajay Rowe, SVL’s AVP of marketing and innovations.

She told the room she once saw her background in State care as something to hide. This week, she stood before this year’s scholars as a graduate of The University of the West Indies, Mona, and now a registered nurse.

“Not too long ago, I was sitting exactly where you are sitting. I was a girl who had dreams but wasn’t quite sure how those dreams were going to become reality. Today, I stand before you as a graduate of The University of the West Indies, Mona, living proof of what can happen when someone believes in you, sometimes before you even know how to believe in yourself.”

Her journey, from a girls’ home to a university degree, is the story SVF says the entire programme exists to make possible, again and again.

CPFSA, which has stood alongside SVF since the programme’s inception, called it one of the most consequential interventions it has seen for youth transitioning out of State care.

Gathered to celebrate a milestone investment in Jamaica’s youth are (from left) Laurette Adams-Thomas, chief executive officer of the CPFSA; scholarship recipient Addison Robinson; and Gary Peart, executive chairman of Supreme Ventures Limited.

“We remain profoundly grateful for this enduring partnership and the opportunities catalysed for our youth as they approach adulthood,” said Laurette Adams-Thomas, CEO of the CPFSA.

Krista-Gaye Fisher, CEO of Supreme Ventures Services Limited, said the first cohort set a standard the foundation is committed to sustaining and growing.

“Building on the success of our first cohort in 2021, we are proud to extend our support to another group of deserving young people. That first cohort of 20 scholarship recipients fully embodied the theme at the heart of this programme: A journey from potential to purpose.”

SVF says the programme is not a one-off tied to an anniversary, but a long-term commitment to Jamaica’s children in State care — one the company intends to keep building on for years to come.