The Hapilos Foundation officially launches with powerful community meeting in Whitehall

 The Hapilos Foundation officially launched its community outreach and Safe Community Initiatives on Labour Day with a large-scale community beautification project and a community meeting in Whitehall, St. Andrew, bringing together residents, the church community, and other stakeholders in what many described as a historic moment of unity for the area.

The Foundation donated items and support towards Labour Day beautification activities across several communities, helping residents carry out clean-up and improvement efforts aimed at restoring pride within their neighbourhoods. By evening, Collins Close had been transformed from the day’s beautification exercise into a vibrant meeting space where more than 150 residents from Whitehall and surrounding communities gathered for the Foundation’s official launch and open community forum.

Residents from communities including 44 Lane, Cameron Lane, Collins Close, Plum Lane and Victoria Courts, along with members of the church community, were all represented at the meeting. For many in attendance, it marked the first time they had witnessed residents from multiple neighbouring communities coming together collectively to discuss issues affecting the wider area.

Residents also highlighted noise pollution caused by motorcycles performing stunts late at night, concerns about loud music affecting church services, and the lack of support and unity between neighbouring lanes during community events and activities. It became increasingly clear throughout the discussions that many of the communities were facing similar social and infrastructural challenges, further reinforcing the need for collective action and sustained community engagement.

The meeting quickly evolved into an emotional but constructive discussion, as residents openly lamented longstanding concerns impacting their daily lives. Among the issues raised were irregular garbage collection and accumulating rubbish, the need for the reopening and restoration of the Collins Close Basic School, concerns surrounding excessively high sleeping police damaging vehicles, and the lack of assistance for elderly residents who struggle to access medication and essential services independently.

People’s National Party caretaker for the area, Christopher Henry, was among those in attendance and delivered greetings to residents. Addressing the gathering, Henry commended the Foundation’s approach to community engagement. “I like the fact that The Hapilos Foundation says they are here to listen,” Henry stated. “We want to listen to you, we want to put in place changes and I want to work with The Foundation to make this one of the shining beacons within the Northern Communities of St. Andrew.”

The main address was delivered by Ricardo ‘Trooper’ Gordon, Director of Community Operations for The Hapilos Foundation, who spent much of the evening listening directly to residents during the open-mic segment. 

Gordon encouraged residents to take collective responsibility for improving their communities and stressed that meaningful change must begin from within the community itself. He also introduced community advocates appointed to represent the different communities and encouraged residents to communicate issues directly with them so the Foundation could make efforts to provide assistance and support where possible. “The support we saw tonight is something truly special,” Gordon said. “To see the community unite the way it did shows that there is still hope, there is still strength, and there is still a willingness for people to come together for a greater cause. This in itself is a major achievement for The Hapilos Foundation, and we intend to continue moving forward positively.”

Residents described the meeting as productive, hopeful, and long overdue, with many expressing optimism about the possibility of renewed community collaboration and sustained advocacy through the Foundation’s initiatives.

The Labour Day activities and launch form part of ’s wider mission to support underserved communities through community development, violence prevention, social empowerment, and neighbourhood-based initiatives aimed at improving quality of life.