Within two months of being established, The Source, an all-in-one resource centre established by Jamaica National Building Society (JNBS) to cater mainly to inner-city communities, has taken on an added role.

Dubbed an 'oasis' shortly after its soft launch in mid-April at Bryce Hill Plaza, 85 August Town Road, in St. Andrew, The Source is now regarded as a "sanctuary" for community members, especially youngsters, who otherwise may become wayward on a typical day.

"I think The Source is good for the community because it helps people a lot to stay off the road and stay out of trouble," says 18-year-old Shinnel Lopez, who is currently doing additional studies to pursue her dream of becoming a banker or flight attendant.

Shinnel was among several persons who recently paid a very modest fee to use the Internet café, one of the services provided at The Source, which boasts a modern high-tech centre, whose aesthetics and aura remain one of the constant drawing cards for persons such as Shinnel.

Hive of activity

Many persons flock The Source in August Town on a daily basis. On a typical afternoon, the resource centre becomes a hive of activity for younger students returning from school, who use the facilities to study and do their school assignments.

The Source also provides business management services, small business development and support via the Jamaica Business Development Centre (JBDC), access to JN Small Business Loans; as well as meeting rooms and a job preparedness and placement programme.

In providing business management services, persons can make The Source their registered, or virtual office, where they receive email, post, phone calls and access administrative support to help their business become better organised and more efficient.

Roderick 'Penny Bling' Hamilton, an entertainer, who uses the Internet café to send and receive his email messages, explained, "Before this facility, students had to travel for miles to the nearest parish library to work on their school assignments. Now they are nearer to home and have access to the Internet."

He stated that, indirectly, The Source would have a positive impact on the lives of people in the community.

"Once more people improve their economic, social and educational standing, it will make a big difference," he suggested.

Under the Job Placement Programme, supported by the UWI Township Project, a human resource specialist at The Source prepares residents for new employment and gets qualified candidates placed into jobs.

"I now work as a cashier in a hardware store," Kelia Levy pointed out, "having learned job interview techniques and how to write my résumé to seek employ-ment. And the on-going support has been very good."

Persons can also visit The Source to make visa appointments, photocopy and scan documents, send and receive faxes, top up their cellular phone credit, top up their JUTC transport card; as well as place classified advertisements in The Gleaner.