“To lift yourself up, lift up someone else!"
- Booker T. Washington
The Stone
Foundation
CHANGING THE LIVES OF THOSE IN NEED
About The Stone Foundation
The Stone Foundation is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization involved with helping individuals and families in the poorest communities of Jamaica and the Americas for over two decades. We have drawn on our collective expertise in the fields of education, healthcare, technology and management to promote innovative solutions for community development. Our goal is to facilitate positive and lasting change by strengthening capacity for self-help, promoting health awareness, creating educational opportunity, making an economic impact and addressing discrimination in all forms.
Education
Transforming Lives
Spending on education by the Jamaican government has also been severely affected - with many schools overcrowded and inadequately furnished, and buildings falling into disrepair. While near-universal primary school enrollment exists, the quality and efficiency of learning and teaching are a problem. It is calculated that 30 per cent of students, mostly boys, are functionally illiterate at the end of the primary cycle. Low attendance and drop-out rates increase by age.
Healthcare
Saving Lives
Overall fees charged in Jamaican public hospitals have increased dramatically. And now fees have been instituted for services that were once free to the poor. Surgery for breast cancer at the University Hospital of the West Indies, another public institution, runs up to 23,000 Jamaican dollars, and chemotherapy over a six-month period costs 150,000 dollars. With the minimum wage of 1,000 Jamaican dollars per week, and more than 750,000 persons said to be living below the poverty line, health care is becoming increasingly more inaccessible to a large number of Jamaicans. Prevention and early detection are now paramount.
Sustainable Innovation
Making an Economic Impact
Sustainable innovation delivers a positive environmental, social and economic impact on Jamaica. Solar energy and greenhouse farming are two of the best vehicles.
Solar Energy - Jamaican consumers face some of the highest energy prices globally (US$ 0.327 per kWh) due to heavy reliance on expensive fossil fuel imports. With about 217 days of sunshine a year, solar power is good for Jamaica because it lowers energy consumption costs.
Greenhouse Farming - With significant losses every year in agriculture due to the diverse weather in Jamaica, greenhouse farming is becoming one of the best ways to safeguard crops and increase harvest.
Who We Are
The Stone Foundation (TSF) was founded in 2003 by a group of concerned and seasoned professionals from the fields of medicine, education, computer engineering and business management. TSF was established to help alleviate poverty among the most disadvantaged people and sectors in the Caribbean and the Americas (youth, rural poor, women, unskilled laborers and the challenged). We strongly believe that helping to foster higher productivity growth among people in these regions is the answer to breaking the poverty cycle.
Kathey Stone
Kathey has over thirty years of experience in Strategic Information Systems Planning and Project Management (PMP). Kathey has worked for many Fortune 500 companies, and is currently CEO of The Stone Development Group, a company that specializes in Caribbean real estate development. Her intimate familiarity with Caribbean economics, politics and culture has helped her develop strong relationships with key business and political leaders in the Caribbean.
Spencer Stone
Spencer has over forty years of experience as a Computer Programmer, Network Engineer, IT Director and DOD Contractor, and has worked for numerous government agencies. He currently works in national security. He has helped promote Jamaica and its culture through Stone Communications, a video production company specializing in the promotion of Jamaica tourism and The Stone Development Group, a company specializing in Jamaica real estate development.
Dr. Herbert Stone, MD
Dr. Herbert A. Stone, Jr., M.D. is a graduate of Morehouse College (1965) and later received a Masters of Science in Embryology from Atlanta University. Dr. Stone is currently Chief Operating Officer of the Mobile Emergency Group. Dr. Stone recently completed a term as the Governor of Alabama’s appointee to the state’s Certificate of Need Review Board, and is on the board of directors of the Onzanan Charitable Pharmacy.
Dr. Russell E. Williams, Ph.D.
Dr. Russell E. Williams is Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Economics at Wheaton College in Norton, MA. Dr. Williams received his B.A. from Amherst College, where he was a National Achievement Scholar, and his Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Massachusetts, where he was a Ford Foundation Pre-Doctoral Fellow. He has an extensive background in research and applied economics, having held positions with the Dukakis Center for Urban and Regional Policy, William Monroe Trotter Institute, the Regional Institute for Employment Policy, ABT Associates, and the U.S. DOL. His recent research has focused on urban and regional economic development, labor market access, the impact of education, and the economics of renewable energy. Dr. Williams is co-author of The Urban Experience: Economics, Society and Public Policy, and was lead economist in a study of the economic impact of renewable energy projects for the USDA and the International Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.
Dr. Monica Manns, Ed.D, MEd, MRC
Dr. Monica Manns is a Henrico County Virginia educator and administrator. She is the County’s first director of the Office of Equity and Diversity. As chief equity, diversity and opportunity officer, Dr. Manns works on a variety of efforts in reviewing and revising academic programs and curricula, recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce, building connections with community organizations, and coaching and training students, families and employees on cultural diversity issues. Dr. Manns has worked in both the nonprofit and public sectors in a variety of capacities. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Berea College in Kentucky. She has a master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling from the University of Kentucky; a master’s degree in education from Virginia Tech; a doctorate in educational policy, planning and leadership, with a concentration in special education administration, from the College of William & Mary; and a certificate in educational administration from Virginia Commonwealth University.
Wali Jones
Wali Jones is in the NBA Basketball Hall of Fame, and was the starting point guard for the 1967 NBA Champion Philadelphia Seventy Sixers and is currently Vice President of Community Relations for the Miami Heat. Wali has made it his life's ambition to motivate youth to action, both in and out of the classroom. He is the founder and director of the National Shoot for the Stars program, a "Books and Basketball" clinic for underprivileged youth. He also serves as the principal of HEAT Academy, the Miami HEAT's academic after-school program. Prior to joining the HEAT, Jones worked for the Department of Education and the federal government as a human development trainer at the Center for Education Development in San Antonio, Texas. There he supervised a 10-state region, with over 400 school districts, educating teachers in classroom management and through neuro-linguistics. In 1998, Wali was honored at the White House by President Clinton for his community work in the US, Bahamas, Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Brazil and Mexico.
Our Efforts
For over two decades, The Stone Foundation has had many success stories in communities both on the island of Jamaica and in the United States. Here are just some of the success stories we've had over the past years. These successes were primarily due to the hard work and dedication of our staff, donors and many volunteers.
SOLAR ENERGY FOR EDUCATION
The Stone Foundation designed, purchased and installed a solar energy system at Gordon's Early Childhood Institute in Big Bridge, Jamaica. This school of over 80 students, previously had no electricity.
The Stone Foundation partnered with the Jamaica Cancer Society and The Heart Foundation of Jamaica to provide free health exams to women on the South Coast of Jamaica.
When Hurricane Ivan hammered Jamaica, The Stone Foundation delivered over two tons of relief items. These donations were received by more than 18 different Jamaican organizations to reach children across the entire island.
Thanks to our neighbors, Monica and Jimmy Robinson. The Havana theme was superb, as was the Salsa dancing.
The Stone Foundation held its 4th annual Havana Nights benefit for breast cancer awareness at the home of Monica and Jimmy Robinson.
Thanks Paulette and Glasco for allowing us into your home, and your pool again!
TSF's Robin B. Conyers Braxton Women's Health Initiative, sponsored The Church Hill Women's Health Fair. Free groceries, mammograms, blood pressure and diabetes screenings, and clothing were offered to those in need.
The Stone Foundation, in cooperation with HCA and The University of Virginia Health Systems, hosted the Petersburg Women's Health Fair. Women were provided free mammograms, blood pressure tests and diabetes screenings.
TSF sponsored The Church Hill Women's Health Fair. Groceries, mammograms, blood pressure and diabetes screenings, clothing, dental products, medical information, hot meals and grocery vouchers were offered to those in need.
Thank you Monica and Jimmy. The Havana theme was superb, as was the Cuban fare.
A special thanks to the Honorable Jean Cunningham. She has helped us so many times and in so many ways, over the past years.
The Stone Foundation sponsored a "Reggae on the River" Fundraiser at Conch Republic on the James River in Richmond.
The Stone Foundation and 60 members of Own Touch Soccer journeyed to Jamaica to take part in a series of cultural exchanges. We hosted a series of soccer clinics with local children, and labored to beautify a local preschool.
Members of The Stone Foundation visited Ms Gordon's school in Big Bridge, Jamaica to deliver school supplies and Christmas gifts to each student. Ms Gordon's School provides necessary pre-school education to 70 students.
A Zumba fitness event was held at Gold's Gym by TSF to benefit Breast Cancer awareness and fund free mammograms for women on the South Coast of Jamaica. Special thanks to Dr. Karen Jefferson, MD and Keesha Thomson.
The Stone Foundation benefit at the home of Monica and Jimmy Robinson. Blackberry Mojitos, Cuban Sangria and Cuisine, Salsa dancing and more were enjoyed by all who attended.
Thanks Polly and Glasco for allowing us into your home, and your pool!
TSF held a Wobble Party Fundraiser at The Virginia Home for Boys & Girls, to provide free mammograms on the South Coast of Jamaica.
Contact Us
In order to make a difference, we rely on the support of generous individuals and businesses in our community, whether monetary or in-kind. Please contact us if you are able to support our efforts to make a difference in the world community, or you seek more information on our current efforts. Thank you so much for your kind consideration of our request. Get in touch, we look forward to hear from you!
