Background

Globally, universities are among various entities that have been contributing to community development. The universities’ involvement contributes to social good and can be bracketed within a concept called “university community engagement” (Garlick and Palmer, 2008). Mona Social Services (MSS), UWI Township, is an outreach initiative established by The University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona Campus as a project in 2006, and then as a registered company in 2008. The vision of the MSS is to transform the Mona Valley -12 underserved communities in close proximity to the UWI campus.

Method

A mixed methodology approach utilizing survey, interviews, focus groups and secondary data with 14 communities. The design allowed for thick rich data and permitted quantitative assessment of the relative impact of the intervention (Creswell, 2014).

Results

Foremost needs in some township communities were education and skills training, violence reduction and elimination, employment opportunities, using sports to develop the community and improving the health and wellness of the communities.

Conclusion

The Mona Social Services: UWI Township utilized a 6-pillar intervention approach from the findings. Noteworthy achievements in the execution of the UWI Township programme is the decade of concentrated intervention efforts to reduce crime and violence, which contributedto the achievement of a zero-murder rate across GAT in 2016, after persistent homicides for 40 years. Additionally, 73 youth have received the UWI Township scholarship amounting to an investment of over J$50M; 30 have graduated from UWI to date including 5 first class and 22 second class honours.