Welcome to the Jamaican Women of Florida (JWOF)

Message from President, Aisha Rainford

Welcome!

It’s so good to have you join as a new or returning member of the Jamaican Women of Florida (JWOF). Your membership matters, and we value you being part of the ‘sistah hood’ that makes up our 10-year organization.

At the forefront of what we do is SERVE, and we want you to experience and be part of this. We have charity drives, we mentor, we go on missions, and we give selflessly. We also have time to grow and develop our bond of Sisterhood through our Members’ Meetings, Women’s Empowerment Conference, and more.

Feel free to join any of our 8 committees and talk to existing members about their own experience in being part of an organization that is proud to be Jamaican!

Looking forward to reconnecting or getting to know you!

Your sistah & President

Aisha

Email: info@jamaicanwomenofflorida.com

Phone: (561) 320-1391

WHO ARE WE?

The Jamaican Women of Florida (JWOF), Inc., is a Florida Not-For-Profit founded in October 2011 as an organization designed to provide an outlet for Jamaican women in Florida to empower themselves. JWOF is dedicated to Jamaican Women – Powerful Women … Worldwide.

MISSION

The Mission of the organization is to aid in the advancement of Jamaican women in Florida through charitable and educational endeavors, to support women in need, to stimulate personal development and to mentor the next generation.

OUR GOALS

Charitable & Educational
- To assist Jamaican women who meet our “NEED” requirements
- To partner with local Non-Profit organizations and local schools to improve the reading levels of young girls, and to improve the quality of life of girls in foster care.
- To further the educational pursuits for young Jamaican women in college by providing scholarships and to encourage a spirit of philanthropy.

Personal Development

Health & Wellness Forum
Women’s Empowerment Conference & Scholarship Fundraiser

Mentoring
- Develop mentoring relationships with our scholarship applicants
- Conduct workshops on transitioning from high school to college.
- Mentoring abandoned and neglected girls at Melody House in Jamaica.

Copy of Jamaican Women of Florida Women's Empowerment Conference

MEMBERSHIP

The current membership count stands over 130+ vibrant members strong.

The Current Board

President - Aisha Rainford

Vice President - Michelle Williamson

Secretary - Noya Hastings-Ritchie

Treasurer - Pauline Foster

Director (Legal) - Debbie Dickinson

Director at Large - Caren Muir

Next Gen Director at Large - Natasha Wright

Sister Link

Our “Sister Link” is a partnership system that provides new members with a link to an existing JWOF sister. What does this mean? Your sister link will provide the new member who is assigned to her with a complete guided tour of the organization. Together, both sisters will work towards achieving the goals of the new members.

Get to know your fellow JWOF members by visiting the member directory which is only accessible to members. You are encouraged to update your profile with a headshot, contact info and more. Click below to see the directory.

JWOF MEMBER DIRECTORY

FAQS ABOUT JWOF

1.

Q What are the benefits of joining JWOF?
A Your membership is an investment in our community and our young ladies

2.

Q Who can join JWOF?
A Any 1st or 2nd generation Jamaican woman residing in Florida is eligible for regular membership

3.

Q What's the difference between a regular member and an associate member
A A regular member has the ability to vote and hold office; an associate member is not entitled to hold office, vote or participate in the election of officers

4.

Q When do you have meetings?
A Pursuant to our By-laws, meetings are held at the discretion of the president. However, the By-laws also states that two (2) mandatory meetings must be held annually – The Bi-Annual Meeting and the Annual General Meeting

5.

Q Is membership valid for the Calendar Year or for a year from date of membership?
A Membership is valid for the Calendar Year

6.

Q How is your organization funded?
A Charity donations, membership fees, and fundraising events

7.

Q Do you have a newsletter?
A Yes, an e-newsletter is distributed monthly

8.

Q How are we kept informed of the activities, etc
A Our website should be your main source for information; however, we continue to inform and connect with members through Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Emails, Group Whatsapp and our monthly Newsletter

9.

Q When are elections held?
A Our annual election is held in February

10.

Q If I want to join a committee, how do I contact the committee chair?
A Members can be contacted through the membership platform on our website

HIGHLIGHTS

Women’s Empowerment Conference & Scholarship Luncheon

Melody House Mentoring (Melody House is a private Girls’ Home in Irwin, Montego Bay. JWOF has “adopted” this home and conducts annual member visits to meet and encourage the young girls.)

Health and Wellness forum

Run-A-Boat Fundraising

Toy drives for children in foster care

Thanksgiving and Christmas food drives

Reading programs for young students

Volunteering and partnering with like-minded organizations

We also make time For Sisterhood and fun:

Sip and Chats

Support members alumni fundraising events

Worship together

Christmas picnic