Who we are
Overview
The Keep On Pushing Foundation is federally recognized 501 C 3 non-profit organization founded in 2006 by former Jamaican bobsled team captain, Devon Harris.
The foundation was started as a result of Devon’s commitment to do whatever it takes to nourish the bodies and minds of the children in his old neighbourhood-the Olympic Gardens area of Kingston, and elsewhere around the world, as Devon firmly believes they have the same potential for success as he did.
The majority of the children in Olympic Gardens qualify for assistance from the Keep On Pushing Foundation. Our client base is primarily underemployed or unemployed residents who live in a community which is prone to politically motivated and gang-related outbreaks of violence. Generally speaking, students are performing well below the required standard. Some display traits of short attention span, listlessness, aggression, fatigue, irregular attendance and unpunctuality. It was discovered that their under-achievement and poor behaviour were a result of the lack of a proper meal to start the day.
Hope is the lifeblood of possibilities.In nourishing the minds and bodies of these “at risk” youths, the Keep On Pushing Foundation is assisting them in getting a good education and therefore giving them hope and the ability to explore and take advantage of opportunities that would otherwise pass them by.
Our Vision
We envision a world where every child-even those from the most economically depressed areas- is filled with hope and given the opportunity to reach their full potential in all areas of their lives.
What We Believe
Children are not limited by their abilities but by access to educational opportunities.
For poor families and even entire communities that are vulnerable to the cycle of poverty, education has proven itself to be the antidote to the issues that would keep them trapped in that cycle. Education provides children with knowledge and skills at much higher levels than those who don’t attend school or those who don’t have access to a quality education. That is why the Keep On Pushing Foundation is focused on supporting the education of kids in marginalized communities.
Education gives them a sense of agency. It gives them hope. It helps them to think, feel and behave in a way that not only contributes to their personal success but the entire community as well.
Our Mission
WE BELIEVE IN DEVELOPING POTENTIAL
It only takes a little to make huge difference in the life of child. Children are naturally resilient and although many of them have demonstrated the ability to get past their challenging circumstances, they, nonetheless, could all use a helping hand.
That is why we have embarked on a mission to support and enhance the education of kids in disadvantaged communities by providing practical solutions to the challenges that would prevent them from getting properly educated.
The program intends to perform the following:
- Fund a meal program at the elementary schools in the communities we serve.
- Provide school supplies.
- Develop computer labs for use by the students as well as young adults age
18-23 yrs in the communities we serve. - Build and repair infrastructure as needed.
- Provide health screenings (eyes, dental, hearing) for children in the communities we serve.
- Develop behaviour modification programs for the most at-risk children in the communities in which we serve.
LONG TERM OBJECTIVE
Keep On Pushing intends to expand all of it’s current programs to the rest of Jamaica, throughout the Caribbean and to South and Central America with the aim of making a significant impact in the lives of those we serve and their communities at large.
