Port Antonio Centre

The Port Antonio Women’s Centre, a testament to resilience, welcomed eleven (11) teen mothers in 1987 at the St. Anthony’s Catholic Church on Fort George Street, Port Antonio, Portland. Within two (2) years, the operations had already outgrown the space, prompting a move to its current location at 13 King Street, Port Antonio.  This property, owned by the Government of Jamaica, was once the parish’s Resident Magistrate (now Parish Judge) residence, symbolizing the Centre’s journey from humble beginnings to a recognized entity.

The Highgate Outreach Site, an offshoot of the Centre, was born out of the need for intervention in the neighboring parish of St. Mary. The Outreach activities began in 1992 with six (6) teen mothers in a small space adjoining the Annotto Bay Health Centre. They served the community for several years until the operations relocated to its current location, the Independent Baptist Church in Highgate. The prevailing economic climate resulted in the operations grinding to a halt in 2009.  However, the operations restarted in October 2011 with a cohort of nine (09) teen mothers.