A mission between the First Congregational Church and the Grace & Staff Community Development Foundation • Copyright © 2008 CATALYST Mission Relationship
All Rights Reserved • E-Mail: info@catalystworks.org
All Rights Reserved • E-Mail: info@catalystworks.org
Have You Met?
CATALYST Works
Providing Unlimited Educational Opportunities
CATALYST makes the news in Jamaican media
. . . The programme helps students in several ways. They help the needy with school fees and train mentors. They also donated several books to the Homework Centre's library on Tower Street. But most of all what the programme seeks to do each year is prepare students for tertiary education and help them find scholarships . . .
. . . Ramone Williams, a fifth former at St. Georges College, is now a student in the programme. He is from Parade Gardens in Kingston where the homework programme operates. He is a straight 'A' student who wants to be a computer engineer. The help from Catalyst is making that dream seem possible . . .
. . . Ramone Williams, a fifth former at St. Georges College, is now a student in the programme. He is from Parade Gardens in Kingston where the homework programme operates. He is a straight 'A' student who wants to be a computer engineer. The help from Catalyst is making that dream seem possible . . .
The Gleaner
Gareth Manning
May 18, 2006
Gareth Manning
May 18, 2006
Sanjay is a new student to the Progam, who has his manifesto to success planed to the 'T'. He is supportive of teamwork, positive thinking and the satisfaction of knowing when one have put their best effort forward. . .
Congratulations!
First Place Winner
2007
"It's All About Me"
Essay Competition
Ronesha Rhoden
Sanjay Buchanan
CATALYST Expands - Coming Soon!
What is CATALYST ?
CATALYST is the mission relationship between the First Congregational Church United Church of Christ in Columbus, Ohio in the United States, Grace and Staff Community Development Foundation and the communities of downtown Kingston, Jamaica, founded in 1996 by Heather Biggers.
CATALYST works to provide educational opportunities to college bound students from the garrison communities of downtown Kingston, particularly Parade Gardens, formerly Southside.
CATALYST provides educational opportunities -
For secondary students by:
CATALYST is the mission relationship between the First Congregational Church United Church of Christ in Columbus, Ohio in the United States, Grace and Staff Community Development Foundation and the communities of downtown Kingston, Jamaica, founded in 1996 by Heather Biggers.
CATALYST works to provide educational opportunities to college bound students from the garrison communities of downtown Kingston, particularly Parade Gardens, formerly Southside.
CATALYST provides educational opportunities -
For secondary students by:
| · | Awarding partial scholarships to secondary students |
| · | Providing mentorship training |
| · | Providing SAT study guides |
| · | Covering SAT test fees |
| · | Assisting secondary students with identifying colleges and scholarships |
| · | Exposure to social outreach and various activities, and more |
For tertiary students by:
| · | Providing airfare to college |
| · | Assisting with finding summer jobs |
| · | Purchasing special equipments, i.e. graphing calculators |
| · | Assisting with clothing and bedding |
| · | Paying graduate school application fees, test fees and other miscellaneous espenses |
| · | Providing mentorship to the students, and more |
How did CATALYST began?
Ms. Heather Biggers
CATALYST founder, Ms. Biggers, was a frequent visiting tourist to Jamaica in the early to mid 1990s. After several visits to the island, she realized, that as a woman of faith, she could no longer visit the island if she did not “give back.” She volunteered at the Kingston Restoration Company (KRC) Teen Center on Highloborn Street, and from that she met some of the students who are in college today because of her.
In 1996, Ms. Biggers created CATALYST, a weeklong leadership program for student from Kingston and Columbus. Thirteen students and adults traveled from Kingston to Columbus to interact in a weeklong leadership program. Her church, First Congregational, later became involved, and the programme blossomed.
Why CATALYST focuses on education?
During 1997, members of the First Congregational Church visited Kingston, as the guests of the Kingston Rotary Club. Heather Biggers, CATALYST founder asked them to visit Parade Gardens and learn from the community "How can we work with you?” The answer from the community was that they wanted help educating their children.
CATALYST Goal:
Our main goal is to provide educational opportunities for Jamaica youths so that they can, one day, help their communities. We have no desire to help students get an education merely to obtain a good paying job in the United States. We do want the students to become financially independent so that they can make a positive contribution to their communities and country.
In 1996, Ms. Biggers created CATALYST, a weeklong leadership program for student from Kingston and Columbus. Thirteen students and adults traveled from Kingston to Columbus to interact in a weeklong leadership program. Her church, First Congregational, later became involved, and the programme blossomed.
Why CATALYST focuses on education?
During 1997, members of the First Congregational Church visited Kingston, as the guests of the Kingston Rotary Club. Heather Biggers, CATALYST founder asked them to visit Parade Gardens and learn from the community "How can we work with you?” The answer from the community was that they wanted help educating their children.
CATALYST Goal:
Our main goal is to provide educational opportunities for Jamaica youths so that they can, one day, help their communities. We have no desire to help students get an education merely to obtain a good paying job in the United States. We do want the students to become financially independent so that they can make a positive contribution to their communities and country.