Over the last year, the leadership on the island and the Jamaican Board of Directors has been seeking God's will in our planning and evaluation process. This has culminated in what we see as an exciting and challenging vision for our ministry. We feel convicted to not wait and have already begun to implement these changes by shifting resources, augmenting existing programs, and asking for employees and volunteers to step up. The following is a summary of our process and an outline of where we see the Lord leading.  

"What if this was my child....."

This is the first question we asked ourselves. It was quite enlightening on how it changed our perspective of "ministry". We will be focusing on three areas. First, we are accommodating a more "family" type atmosphere by reconfiguring the dormitories along with providing a more practical housing arrangement for the house parents. Second, we are training existing staff in early childhood development through the government programs. Third, we are placing a Deaf teacher and a Hearing teacher in the early grades to better facilitate language acquisition and conceptual development. All three areas of focus are in beginning stages at each campus and we will continue implementing each as we are able. Over time we will evaluate the resource needs in people and equipment and adjust as required.

 

"How can we do better...."

While we were looking at areas that we could improve, we also took a look at the vocational training component of the ministry, which historically is an area in which we have been quite successful. As we evaluated this area in its entirety, we came to the realization that we could expand training in two of the areas to reach a higher level. These two areas will be the Hospitality/Food Preparation program and the Cosmetology program. We will be able to implement the expansion quickly and these changes will have an immediate impact on graduates and recent grads. We are also starting remedial classes in English and mathematics. These are the two areas lacking the most when compared with hearing peers. Going forward we will continue to develop apprenticeships, partnerships, and job coaching and placement to better meet the needs of our students and graduates. All of these are in process and are moving along as fast as possible.

 

"One of our greatest needs...."

We are acutely aware of the needs of our recent graduates. Many fall away from the church and are led into situations that quickly spiral out of his/her control. With this in mind we prayed for discernment on what would be the most effective direction to pursue. The answer was the adult Deaf church. This is the cornerstone of everything we do on and off our campuses. Bearing this in mind, we endeavor to triple our reach into the adult deaf community (which includes our recent graduates) over the next three years. We will do this by having a Deaf church associated with each campus. Each will be responsible for preaching and outreach, home churches, and church planting in their region. We are also increasing our DVD video ministry to help engage those on the outlying areas or where there are no communities of Deaf. We are currently partnering with several churches and Deaf ministries on the island and in the States to help facilitate these changes. Much of this is in progress as we speak and much more is slated to begin this fall.

 

"The next step...."

We desperately want to direct our talents and energies where He wants them and to whom He would have us serve. We know there is much we could do for our current students and for those who have graduated. Please pray with us as we seek the Lords guidance in this most important part of our leadership.

 

 

We invite you to join us as we seek to fulfill the plan that God has for our ministry to the Deaf.