There's a new man running St Patrick's Foundation, the non-profit charity that helps residents of some of Kingston and St Andrew's poverty-stricken communities.

Mark McKenzie, former head of beer-making giant, Red Stripe, is the new chairman of the foundation and, only one month into his new role, he's already making big plans.

"It's been a big change, but there's a real sense of pride when you're able to help people," said McKenzie, sitting back in a small, dimly-lit office at the Christ the Redeemer Human Resource Centre in Seaview Gardens, St Andrew.

The centre offers classes in a few areas to people of the community and is one of four facilities run by St Patrick's Foundation. It is located in the belly of Seaview Gardens, an area known for sporadic episodes of violence. It is perhaps where the help the foundation provides is most needed, but the constant risk of violence in the community does complicate things.

As the interview was going on, the centre's managing director, Marcia McLeod interrupted to tell McKenzie of a shooting incident that had taken place close to the centre that morning. Days earlier a policeman was murdered nearby.

"It's a constant cloud over our heads because you never really know when something is going to happen, but this is where the need is and where we need to be," said McLeod.

A greater challenge being faced by St Patrick's Foundation right now is coming up with funds to keep critical programmes going.

Build up funds

"It takes about $65 million to run the four centres for the year. We get assistance from the HEART Trust and donations from business places and individuals, but we would love to build up enough funds where we can be more comfortable from month to month," said McKenzie.

He explained that there is always a risk that some of the foundation's programmes will have to be cut, as there is no guarantee that enough money will be generated to keep them all going.

As a businessman, McKenzie finds himself in a strange spot. On one hand, he has the knowledge and experience to get the foundation's finances on track. On the other hand though, as he explained it, tough decisions are even tougher when they affect people as intimately as the foundation's projects do.

Difficult cuts

"When you're in business and you need to make cuts, it's pretty simple. If you have 20 products, you just take a look at them and determine which ones aren't making any money and you do your cuts that way. Here though, it's a different story. All the programmes are critical to people's lives. The cuts are more difficult," he said.

One of his plans to keep things going was to come up with a needs list. It is a list of some of the items that are critical to the survival of the foundation's programmes. The plan is to approach companies with the list and ask them to commit to providing the items to the foundation as donations. That way, companies that are strapped for cash may still be able to provide help.

That's only one of McKenzie's new ideas and as time goes by he will implement others. One thing is for sure though and that is, if there's anyone who can sustain the crucial programmes run by St Patrick's Foundation, Mark McKenzie is the man.

For more information on St Patrick's Foundationand how you can help, call757-2210 or visit www.stpatricksfoundation.com.