KFC Jamaica donates $7M to support 14 children’s homes across the island

KFC Jamaica presents a $7 million donation to the Child Protection and Family Services Agency (CPFSA) to support 14 children’s homes across the island. Sharing in the moment are (from left) Kristen Laing, Public and Communications Manager at CPFSA, Andrei Roper, Marketing Manager at KFC Jamaica, Laurette Adams-Thomas, CEO of CPFSA, and Newton Douglas, Director of Policy, Planning and Evaluation at CPFSA. The funds will help improve infrastructure, care, and support for vulnerable children in every parish.

As part of its ongoing 50^th birthday celebrations, KFC Jamaica has donated JMD 7 million to the Child Protection and Family Services Agency (CPFSA), reinforcing its commitment to national development and child welfare. The donation will see 14 children’s homes – one in each parish across Jamaica – each receive a $500,000 donation aimed at enhancing infrastructure, improving standards of care, strengthening emergency preparedness, and delivering targeted support where the need is most critical.

“As we planned our 50^th birthday celebrations, we wanted to do more than simply mark the milestone – we wanted to give back in a way that would leave a meaningful and lasting impact,” said Andrei Roper, Marketing Manager at KFC Jamaica. “For five decades, Jamaicans have embraced and supported us. This donation is our way of expressing gratitude – by investing in the younger generation and the dedicated caregivers who work tirelessly to shape brighter, more hopeful futures.”

The CPFSA has identified persistent but often invisible challenges facing children’s homes across the country. Many of the facilities are working with outdated infrastructure and limited resources, while also supporting children who have experienced trauma from abuse, neglect, or abandonment. These challenges, though not always seen by the public, directly impact the quality of care and the emotional well-being of the children.

With limited funding, homes often struggle to consistently provide counselling, academic support, and recreational outlets,  all essential for helping children heal and thrive. The CPFSA noted that this donation allows each home to strengthen these critical areas of care. Additionally, five government-operated homes will benefit from disaster preparedness support, including the acquisition of emergency supplies.

“This investment gives us room to go beyond day-to-day survival,” said Mr. Newton Douglas, Director of Policy, Planning, and Evaluation at the CPFSA. “It helps create the stability and engagement children need to develop confidence, resilience, and a sense of belonging.”

Mr. Douglas also emphasized that the children in state care are full of potential and are not defined by their circumstances. “With the right support, many go on to excel academically, professionally, and emotionally, reminding us that these are not just children in care, but the future of Jamaica.

KFC’s involvement, he added, represents a meaningful partnership at a time when support is often stretched thin. The donation not only fills important gaps but reinforces the need for equity in support across all parishes.