Founder's Story
Joy Dufour felt a deepening burden as she traveled to Jamaica year after year and watched the devastating impact of the widening economic gap on the poor. A caregiver at heart, the impetus to do something turned the burning in her heart into action when she witnessed a tragic event, one to this day she believes may have been preventable.
While visiting a sick friend in the hospital in Jamaica, she witnessed a teenage girl in distress, take her last breaths. After noticing she was no longer breathing, she alerted the nurse who quickly came in the room and closed the curtain. There were no attempts to revive her, no one there to comfort her by her bedside, the teenaged girl died alone.
Perhaps having a ventilator or similar machine could have prolonged the life of the young girl. Maybe the medical staff could have been alerted sooner that the girl was dying and with adequate medical equipment and supplies, they could have saved her life.
The unfortunate reality in hospitals and medical facilities throughout Jamaica is many of them lack the resources they need to properly care for the sick. After personally witnessing the passing of the teenage girl and hearing other stories of patients with critical medical needs going unaddressed, Joy realized she had to do more to help the poor and infirm in Jamaica.
Out of a compelling vision based on her own experiences in Jamaica, POGS founder Joy Dufour (who resides in Maryland, USA), brought a group of like-minded individuals together to discuss the matter. United in their commitment to help the sick and the poor in Jamaica, seeds of ideas on how to accomplish this began to germinate. On July 28, 2013, Partners of Good Shepherd Jamaica was born and its first annual fundraiser was held both to solicit contributions, as well as to heighten awareness in the public domain.Today POGS is growing in the number of members and volunteers, and presents an exciting opportunity for others to contribute in various ways towards a transformational goal.
While visiting a sick friend in the hospital in Jamaica, she witnessed a teenage girl in distress, take her last breaths. After noticing she was no longer breathing, she alerted the nurse who quickly came in the room and closed the curtain. There were no attempts to revive her, no one there to comfort her by her bedside, the teenaged girl died alone.
Perhaps having a ventilator or similar machine could have prolonged the life of the young girl. Maybe the medical staff could have been alerted sooner that the girl was dying and with adequate medical equipment and supplies, they could have saved her life.
The unfortunate reality in hospitals and medical facilities throughout Jamaica is many of them lack the resources they need to properly care for the sick. After personally witnessing the passing of the teenage girl and hearing other stories of patients with critical medical needs going unaddressed, Joy realized she had to do more to help the poor and infirm in Jamaica.
Out of a compelling vision based on her own experiences in Jamaica, POGS founder Joy Dufour (who resides in Maryland, USA), brought a group of like-minded individuals together to discuss the matter. United in their commitment to help the sick and the poor in Jamaica, seeds of ideas on how to accomplish this began to germinate. On July 28, 2013, Partners of Good Shepherd Jamaica was born and its first annual fundraiser was held both to solicit contributions, as well as to heighten awareness in the public domain.Today POGS is growing in the number of members and volunteers, and presents an exciting opportunity for others to contribute in various ways towards a transformational goal.
The Partners of Good Shepherd Jamaica, Inc. leadership team consists of board and committee members who give their time, resources and expertise to make a difference in the lives of the poor and underprivileged in Jamaica. Members bring a range of expertise to POGS and are committed to supporting the educational and healthcare needs of the disadvantaged.
Board of Directors
Ambassador Curtis A. Ward
Ambassador Curtis A. Ward is a former Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative of Jamaica to the United Nations with Special Responsibility for Security Council Affairs (1999-2002); served on the UN Security Council 01/2000 – 12/2001. He is an Attorney-at-Law (District of Columbia Bar) and International Consultant with extensive knowledge and experience in national and international legal and policy frameworks for effective implementation of United Nations (UN) and other international anti-terrorism mandates; the legal and administrative requirements to effectively implement and enforce anti-money laundering and countering financing of terrorism (AML/CFT); extensive knowledge of the legal and regulatory requirements for effective implementation and enforcement of United Nations multilateral and U.S.-imposed unilateral sanctions; and the imperatives for rule of law and governance. Read full bio
Ambassador Curtis A. Ward is a former Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative of Jamaica to the United Nations with Special Responsibility for Security Council Affairs (1999-2002); served on the UN Security Council 01/2000 – 12/2001. He is an Attorney-at-Law (District of Columbia Bar) and International Consultant with extensive knowledge and experience in national and international legal and policy frameworks for effective implementation of United Nations (UN) and other international anti-terrorism mandates; the legal and administrative requirements to effectively implement and enforce anti-money laundering and countering financing of terrorism (AML/CFT); extensive knowledge of the legal and regulatory requirements for effective implementation and enforcement of United Nations multilateral and U.S.-imposed unilateral sanctions; and the imperatives for rule of law and governance. Read full bio
Vanessa Butler
Bio forthcoming.
Bio forthcoming.
Dr. Lydia Lawrence Hudson
Dr. Hudson is a practicing dentist in Washington D.C. with over 30 years of experience. She is a graduate of Howard University College of Dentistry in Washington D.C. and has served as a past D.C. Board of Dentistry member as well as a past board member of North East Regional Board of Dental Examiners. She is currently a member of The Commission on Dental Competency Assessments, an organization that tests senior dental students in 30 states throughout the USA for Dental Licensure. She is a volunteer with the Organization of International Development, where she performs pro bono dental work in Jamaica and other Caribbean countries, Africa and India. She is also a volunteer with Healing Hands Foundation where she performs pro bono dental work in Guatemala and Ecuador and is a member of Trinity Episcopal Church where she is involved in several committees. Dr. Hudson is a proud mother of three daughters and three granddaughters.
Dr. Hudson is a practicing dentist in Washington D.C. with over 30 years of experience. She is a graduate of Howard University College of Dentistry in Washington D.C. and has served as a past D.C. Board of Dentistry member as well as a past board member of North East Regional Board of Dental Examiners. She is currently a member of The Commission on Dental Competency Assessments, an organization that tests senior dental students in 30 states throughout the USA for Dental Licensure. She is a volunteer with the Organization of International Development, where she performs pro bono dental work in Jamaica and other Caribbean countries, Africa and India. She is also a volunteer with Healing Hands Foundation where she performs pro bono dental work in Guatemala and Ecuador and is a member of Trinity Episcopal Church where she is involved in several committees. Dr. Hudson is a proud mother of three daughters and three granddaughters.
Omar Stephenson
Bio forthcoming.
Bio forthcoming.
Committee
Mary Chambers
Mary is a Licensed Graduate Professional Counselor in the State of Maryland. She holds a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, and a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing from Howard University. Mary currently works with a non-profit organization in Silver Spring, Maryland which serves people living on the streets or at risk of homelessness in Montgomery County. Mary was born and raised in Kingston, Jamaica and spent time as a teenager visiting with the residents of Sophie’s Place, a Mustard Seed Home.The main reason she wanted to be a part of Partners of Good Shepherd was due to seeing the great work that continues to be done in the communities served.
Mary is a Licensed Graduate Professional Counselor in the State of Maryland. She holds a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, and a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing from Howard University. Mary currently works with a non-profit organization in Silver Spring, Maryland which serves people living on the streets or at risk of homelessness in Montgomery County. Mary was born and raised in Kingston, Jamaica and spent time as a teenager visiting with the residents of Sophie’s Place, a Mustard Seed Home.The main reason she wanted to be a part of Partners of Good Shepherd was due to seeing the great work that continues to be done in the communities served.
Doreen Christian La Roche
Doreen was born in Washington D.C. of Jamaican parents. Mrs. Christian La Roche is the third daughter of John and Lena Christian who were one of the original Jamaican families in the Washington D.C. area. During her early years, Doreen attended Vaz Preparatory School and Excelsior High School in Jamaica and Alice Deal Jr. High and Woodrow Wilson High here in D.C. She is a graduate of UDC’s Construction Engineering program earning her BS degree in 1985 and has worked for the past 30 plus years as a Civil Engineer for USDA, managing construction projects as a COR III/PM with specialties in waterproofing and she serves their Seismic Safety Coordinator. Volunteering has long been a passion for Mrs. Christian La Roche. She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. since 1990, and a past president of The Prince George’s County Caribbean Council. Mrs. Christian La Roche is married with has 3 children.
Doreen was born in Washington D.C. of Jamaican parents. Mrs. Christian La Roche is the third daughter of John and Lena Christian who were one of the original Jamaican families in the Washington D.C. area. During her early years, Doreen attended Vaz Preparatory School and Excelsior High School in Jamaica and Alice Deal Jr. High and Woodrow Wilson High here in D.C. She is a graduate of UDC’s Construction Engineering program earning her BS degree in 1985 and has worked for the past 30 plus years as a Civil Engineer for USDA, managing construction projects as a COR III/PM with specialties in waterproofing and she serves their Seismic Safety Coordinator. Volunteering has long been a passion for Mrs. Christian La Roche. She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. since 1990, and a past president of The Prince George’s County Caribbean Council. Mrs. Christian La Roche is married with has 3 children.
Andrea Clayton
Andrea has been a teacher for more than 20 years. She holds a Master of Education in Special Education from Howard University and a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education from The City College of New York. Andrea joined Partners of Good Shepherd to give back to her island home that was the setting for a most happy childhood.
Andrea has been a teacher for more than 20 years. She holds a Master of Education in Special Education from Howard University and a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education from The City College of New York. Andrea joined Partners of Good Shepherd to give back to her island home that was the setting for a most happy childhood.
Andrea Cunningham
A staunch advocate of sacrifice and benevolence, especially to assist the needs of the less fortunate. Andrea feels satisfaction knowing she can make an impact on the lives and welfare of others. Giving back to her homeland is her inspiration for joining the committee and Good Shepherd Foundation is one such source of inspiration.
A staunch advocate of sacrifice and benevolence, especially to assist the needs of the less fortunate. Andrea feels satisfaction knowing she can make an impact on the lives and welfare of others. Giving back to her homeland is her inspiration for joining the committee and Good Shepherd Foundation is one such source of inspiration.
Kalyn Hall
Kalyn has worked in the nonprofit sector for over sixteen years in a number of capacities within the areas of fundraising, event marketing, online marketing, program development and event management. She is extremely passionate about helping nonprofits use technology and online tactics to fulfill their mission. Kalyn joined Partners of Good Shepherd Jamaica to make a direct impact in the lives of youth and disabled individuals residing in Jamaica.
Kalyn has worked in the nonprofit sector for over sixteen years in a number of capacities within the areas of fundraising, event marketing, online marketing, program development and event management. She is extremely passionate about helping nonprofits use technology and online tactics to fulfill their mission. Kalyn joined Partners of Good Shepherd Jamaica to make a direct impact in the lives of youth and disabled individuals residing in Jamaica.
Mercedes Hughes
Bio forthcoming.
Bio forthcoming.
Howie Perkins
Howie is from Jamaica and emigrated to the United States some 35 years ago. He works as a mortgage broker and lives in the Silver Spring area of Maryland. He is married to Pam and worships at the Resurrection Church in Burtonsville Maryland.
Howie is from Jamaica and emigrated to the United States some 35 years ago. He works as a mortgage broker and lives in the Silver Spring area of Maryland. He is married to Pam and worships at the Resurrection Church in Burtonsville Maryland.
Pam Perkins
Pam migrated from Jamaica 30 years ago to New York then moved to Silver Spring, MD in 2000. She is a mother of three and a grand mother of four. Being a part of Partners of Good Shepherd has been a blessing to her life and she is a firm believer in being able to give back to those who are in need.
Pam migrated from Jamaica 30 years ago to New York then moved to Silver Spring, MD in 2000. She is a mother of three and a grand mother of four. Being a part of Partners of Good Shepherd has been a blessing to her life and she is a firm believer in being able to give back to those who are in need.
Junie Stephenson
Bio forthcoming.
Bio forthcoming.
Outreach Ambassadors
Aldith Curtis Coleman
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Daphne Davis
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