Pringle Home for Children

The   Pringle Home is situated in the hills of Carron Hall, St Mary. The home was started in 1922 by Rev. and Mrs. James Mc Nee and their daughter Kathie. Money to construct the building was donated by the then Custos Dr. John Pringle. The Home was first located at the building that now hosts the Carron Hall High School. In 1939 the girls’ home as it was called, moved to its present site which has seen a number of development and is now known as the Pringle Home for Children.

The Pringle Home for Children is licensed to accommodate 36 girls ages 4 through 18 years. However at present our youngest girl is 8 years old, and we now have 28 girls in residence.

Administration

The home is operated by the United Church in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands. There is a board of directors which oversees the home and a Director/Manager who is responsible for the day to day operations of the home. Housemothers and other caregivers are employed to nurture and  ensure the well being of the girls.

 The Background of Our Girls

Sometimes families are unable to function effectively and sometimes the development of the children is affected negatively. When this happens, the Child Protection and Family Services Agency intervenes. There is a legal process through the courts that determines the outcome of each case. Our children come to us through this system as Children in Need of Care and Protection.

Emotional, and mental state when they arrive at the Home

When our children come to us they demonstrate fragility in all aspects of their development. Their psychological , social and moral development all display how vulnerable the children have been. Hence we take our vision and mission seriously in order to meet the needs of the children

OUR VISION

To transform the lives of hurting children in a safe and secure family oriented environment, where faith in God is developed and hope is restored.

OUR MISSION

To provide a loving and nurturing atmosphere where hurts are healed and hope is nurtured so  that the children may maximize their potential and fulfil their purpose with the engagement of all partners.

Special Needs of Our Children

Children whose self esteem has been damaged need special nurturing. And so our children at the Pringle Home for Children are emotionally fragile. All aspects of their development become important in designing interventions. The special needs are many, but we could begin by ensuring that their physical environment is aesthetically pleasing;  that the caregivers are committed to our mission to children by providing a stable family environment at the Home; that there is an adequate budget to provide not only basic but other necessary provisions.

Spiritual Development of Our Children

Our Chaplain is Rev. Donald Burke who is the Minister at the Carron Hall United Church.  He has regular sessions with the girls. He has also organized the girls to participate in the worship experience at the church through the music ministry and also through the United Church Youth fellowship.

Time is also set aside for morning and evening devotion in the Home.

Emotional Development of Our Children

The home facilitates the holistic development of children through programmes such as:

  • Group and individual counselling
  • Recreational activities
  • Social Skills Training
  • Educational Opportunities

These interventions are facilitated through a clinical psychologist who visits the home weekly; attendance at Child Guidance Clinics; individuals and groups who visit the Home; and the staff at the Home.

 

Education

Our intention is that all our girls must attend school. The schools are: The Carron Hall primary School, the Carron Hall High School and Guy’s Hill High School.

Academic achievements of the girls

At present, some of the Senior Prefects at the Carron Hall High School are residents at Pringle Home. Many of our children have been awarded medals and other citations for academic excellence.

Some of the girls who have been at the Home in the past,  have done well academically. When this happens, on acceptance to tertiary institutions, the government, through the CPFSA provides support for the girls to complete their education. Some past residents are in nursing, teaching, and other fields. Other girls who are so inclined, are assisted in receiving skills training from HEART/NTA.

 

What Else Can Our Partners Do to Improve the  Lives of Our Girls?

Critical areas of assistance are:

  • Individual mentorship
  • Assistance to assist the girls in the transition from the home at age 18.
  • Improved Budgetary Provision
  • Renovation of the building
  • Repairs of the Solar Electrical System
  • Transportation to enrich the experiences that impact the development of the girls.
  • Renovation and equipping of the auditorium as a skills club centre.

Mount Olivet Boys' Home

History of Mt Olivet

The Child Development  Service of the Ministry of Health has the statutory responsibility for children who are deemed by the Family Court to be in need of care and protection . Under the Juvenile Law of 1948, The Court may either place the juvenile  on a Fit Person Order or a Supervision Order.  Those who are given Fit Person Orders become wards of the State and are placed in children’s homes or foster care.

The Mt. Olivet Boys’ Home is a private residential home that is owned by the United Church in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands.  The youngsters are neglected or abused and as such the Home provides psychological  counseling through the Child Development Agency for them.

On April 20, 1967, the New Broughton Boys Home, located in South Manchester became the New Broughton Sunset Rehabilitation Centre (to house selected male inmates of the adult penal institutions who were serving life sentences). Mt. Olivet Boys’ Home became the new home for the boys.

THE PEOPLE WE SERVE

Mount Olivet Boys’ Home is located in sea of greenery  approximately 10 miles north of the town of Mandeville, three miles from Spalding and four miles from Christiana. The area is set apart from the hustle and bustle of every day life and is relatively cooler than the rest of the island.  Forty four years ago, the UCJCI in collaboration with the Government of Jamaica restored the old solidly built Presbyterian Manse into a residential setting for children in need of Care and Protection.

The United Church in Jamaica and the Cayman Island, in cooperation with Government of Jamaica, through the Child Development Agency (CDA), place the children in the Home. CDA supervises the placements. We provide for  their mental, spiritual and moral development as well as to their material environment and social care.

Mt. Olivet seek to minimize the emotional and psychological risks that endanger the welfare and well being of the residents in its care and to endeavor to close the serious gaps in the socialization process which some of them experience.

Total Welfare Service

Mount Olivet Boys’ Home provides residential care and other social services to vulnerable boys 6 to 18 years old in the following manner: We

• Provides opportunity for devotional and spiritual reflection.

  • • Provides direct client, child welfare, program implementation and risk management and programmed and programmed recreational activities
  • • Develops and communicates program priorities and policies to guide operations and service delivery activities, quality assurance and employee training.
  • • Provides IT support and training; develops and maintains information systems.

Guiding Principles

The Mount Olivet Boys’ Home’s values reflect our residence’s mission. Our values demonstrate our commitment to keep boys safe while strengthening and preserving families and a commitment to our partners, community, and colleagues. We are individually and collectively responsible for upholding these values while providing for their spiritual growth.

Diversity
We value the diversity of our residents, staff, providers, and communities. We demonstrate a commitment to diversity when we consider their viewpoints and contributions, and courageously confront lack of equity in opportunities and outcomes for boys, families, and staff.

Respect
We demonstrate a commitment to a respectful Home when we communicate with common courtesy and active listening, encourage divergent opinions, and value and accept differences.

Integrity
We demonstrate a commitment to act with integrity when we follow through with commitments, have the courage to act with honour, are trustworthy, and consistently act in ways that reflect the values, goals and decisions of the agency.

OUR  VISION

Mt Olivet Boys’ Home will produce young men who will be responsible for themselves and make a positive contribution to society.

OUR  MISSION

To provide a loving, safe, nurturing environment that will enable our children to be physically, spiritually, emotionally and intellectually prepared to maximize their potential and to make a worthwhile contribution to society.