Our Story

The Westmorelite Foundation, Inc., a recognized 501(c)(3) public charity, was created from a legacy shaped by family, community, and the deep, unshakeable spirit of Westmoreland, Jamaica. The roots of our mission reach back long before incorporation, to the people who raised us, taught us, encouraged us, and helped lay the groundwork on which we now build.

Co-founded by Tara Jackson and her father, Cosmond Jackson, the Foundation reflects a generational commitment to service. Together, along with their board members, they carry forward a history of families whose giving began not in boardrooms, but in everyday life. For decades, the Jackson family lived by a simple belief: when one person in the community rises, we all rise. That belief guided quiet but consistent acts of service, from supporting students through scholarships to providing resources to families in need, mentoring youth, and standing with communities when hardship came. It was not organized philanthropy. It was simply what you do for your own.

Everything changed in the wake of Hurricane Melissa. The devastation left scars on homes, businesses, and lives. Yet even in loss, Westmoreland revealed its strength. Families helped neighbors rebuild. Communities shared what little they had to ensure no household went hungry. Local leaders worked tirelessly, even while facing their own challenges. Watching this resilience unfold, the Jackson family and the Wallace family felt a calling not only to continue giving, but to do so with structure, scale, and long-term impact. From that conviction came The Westmorelite Foundation.

Today, with our U.S. entity established and plans underway to formalize our Jamaican arm, the Foundation stands as a bridge, connecting Jamaica to its Diaspora and turn compassion into action. We exist to call home those who left, support those who remain, and partner with everyone who believes in the brilliance and possibility of Westmoreland’s people.

Our work is guided by our Mission, our Vision, and our belief in dignity, transparency, and service rooted in faith. We honor the strength of our people and the power of diaspora unity. We believe in sustainable change, community-first solutions, and the promise of a Jamaica where every family has the support they need to thrive.

The Westmorelite Foundation is young, but our vision stretches far into the future. Our programs are being built on the pillars that support our mission and serve as the heartbeat of our work.