The Education
and Cultural Committee provides educational and cultural programs/activities
for the Association’s members and the wider community.
It is also responsible for promoting educational/cultural exchanges,
seminars, exhibitions, debates, and for the acquisition and
distribution of culturally educational books and other materials
related to the heritage of members through the Marcus Garvey
Resource Center. The very dedicated members ensure that the
Committee contributes to the JCA’s overall goal of increasing
its social, political and economic profile.
The Committee strives to achieve these mandates
through events such as the: Annual Health Fair, which is
planned jointly with the Women’s Committee, having
guest speakers at various JCA events, the annual Scholarship
and Awards Program, the Saturday Morning Tutorial Program
the annual Black History Month Celebrations and the North
York West Spelling Bee of Canada Competition.
The Saturday Morning
Tutorial Program (SMTP)
North York West Chapter
(JCA) of Spelling Bee Canada
The JCA Scholarship and Awards
Program
JCA Health Fair
Black History Month Celebration
The Saturday Morning
Tutorial Program (SMTP)
The JCA is aware that education is a life
long journey of learning and hopes that the very best education
will lead our children to a world of opportunity and a future
filled with academic and professional success. The Association
is therefore committed to delivering programs that promote
and sustain the academic achievements of Caribbean and African
children. The Saturday Morning Tutorial and Heritage Program,
which was established in 1991, is one such program that is
geared towards assisting students in grades 1-8, who are
in need of additional support to meet educational standards
and goals. The program is currently staffed by a dedicated
and committed group of volunteer tutors, comprised of current
and retired teachers and professionals of various disciplines.
The focus is on Math and English, supported by field trips
and a cultural heritage component.
Individuals wishing to volunteer as tutors
or to contribute to the program are encouraged to contact
the JCA at 416-476-5772 or by email at education@jcassoc.org.
Additional volunteer tutors will facilitate an increase in
the number of students that can be admitted in the program.
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North York West Chapter (JCA)
of Spelling Bee Canada
The JCA is the host of the North York West
Chapter of the Spelling Bee of Canada Competition. This includes
promoting the event, registration, hosting of the regional
finals, coaching participants, coordinating various administrative
functions and identifying suitable volunteers as officials
for the competition. Over 100 children between the ages of
6-15 years participated in both the Junior and Senior Categories
of the 2005 Regional Championship. In 2006, a total of 48
participated in the competition under the theme “Education
+ Perseverance = Success”.
The winner and 1st runner-up from each category represent the JCA Chapter
at the Ontario Championship Finals.
Founded in 1987, Spelling Bee of Canada
is a grassroots educational volunteer organization, with
a focus on supporting youth excellence in language arts with
an emphasis on reading, spelling and writing. In today’s
high-tech environment, Spelling Bee of Canada recognize that
it is essential to equip students with the tools that will
enable them to comprehend the mass of information available
through various media. The proficiency of spelling is an
integral part of childhood education, which builds part of
a student’s framework, for future life success that
is beneficial and from which life-long, positive habits can
be formed. The Spelling Bee is an incredible demonstration
and celebration of our multicultural diversity. Each year,
participants come from many nationalities and ethnic backgrounds.
JCA members and the wider African/Canadian community are
encouraged to have their children participate in the event.
In addition to enhancing their comprehension and communication
skills, students will develop self- esteem, confidence and
interpersonal skills from being exposed to positive role
models, coaches and peer support throughout the course of
preparation.
The JCA is very grateful to the staff, members
and other volunteers who have worked tirelessly to ensure
the success of the event. Additionally, the Association is
a proud participant as the founder of the Spelling Bee of
Canada, Julie Spence, is one of its members.
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The JCA Scholarship and Awards
Program
In keeping with the Association’s
mandate of community outreach and responding to the educational
needs of the community, the JCA Scholarship and Awards Program
was established to provide financial assistance to worthy
students from the Caribbean/African communities pursuing
post-secondary studies in Ontario universities and colleges.
Several scholarships are awarded to students
each year based on established criteria including outstanding
academic achievements, leadership qualities, and commitment
to community development. The JCA is able to achieve this
mandate through the generous contributions of the various
Scholarship Donors and other contributors to the scholarship
fund.
Application Criteria
and Guidelines
Application
Form
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JCA Health
Fair
The Education Committee works jointly with
the Women’s Committee in hosting an annual Health Fair
held in October. Various individuals and organizations are
invited to participate in the event to provide useful information
and services to the Association’s members and the wider
community. The organizations that have participated include:
Trillium Gift of Life, the Caribbean Diabetes Association,
and Toronto Public Health. Exhibits/displays or information
were provided in the areas of food safety, dental and oral
Health, tobacco control, sexually transmitted diseases, West
Nile Virus Control, pesticide use, physical fitness, nutrition
and dieting, communicable disease control, heart health,
sickle cell disease and schizophrenia.
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Black History
Month Celebration
The Education Committee works jointly with
JCA Program staff to host a Black History Month Celebration
every February. Approximately 400 students from several schools,
along with their teachers, attend the function, under various
themes such as: Positive Minds – Positive Results.
The attendees are treated to dynamic performances and positive
messages that highlight the rich black cultural heritage.
Due to generous contributions from individuals and organizations
such as Robert Small, the artist of the Official Black History
Month Poster, each participating school is provided with
posters and other items commemorating black history such
as bookmarkers depicting various black stalwarts.
The Marcus Garvey Resource Library
The Marcus Garvey Resource Library is jointly
sponsored by the former U.N.A.
Toronto Branch and the Jamaican Canadian Association. The main goals
of the library are:
• to establish and make available
Afro-centric print, audio and visual materials for community
use.
• to solicit Afro-centric materials from the general public as donation
to the Marcus Garvey Resource Library.
The JCA’s Education Committee administers
the library. Currently, the library is open Saturdays from
10:00 A.M. until 2:00 P.M. with plans to open on a week day
as well.
Donation of Afro-centric books, CD-ROMs, DVDs and audio tapes are always
welcomed.
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