No Elder Should Feel Forgotten. We're Changing That.
In rural Jamaica, thousands of older adults live without regular in-person visits, reliable transportation, or nearby support.
This matters more than most people realize. Social isolation among older adults is a significant public health concern. Research shows it is associated with a 30 percent increased risk of mortality, comparable to smoking 15 cigarettes a day¹, and is linked to a 50 percent increased risk of dementia and a 30 percent increased risk of stroke².
The Vera May Foundation (VMF) exists to address that gap with consistent, in-person presence.
Through volunteer engagement and partnerships with community organisations already serving elders on the ground, VMF helps ensure elders remain seen, supported, and meaningfully connected within the communities they helped build.
By supporting VMF, donors and volunteers help transform care from occasional contact into consistent connection.
¹ Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 2024
² National Academies of Sciences; National Library of Medicine
What Should Take a Phone Call Shouldn't Take a Flight.
When our founder could not find a single organization to help an elderly friend get to church seven minutes away, she booked a flight to Jamaica herself. What should have taken a phone call took a transatlantic flight.
VMF was born from that moment, so that flight becomes a choice, not a desperate last resort.
Have a Loved One in Jamaica?
Distance doesn't have to mean disconnection. Through Family Bridge, your loved one is matched with a trusted volunteer who visits, checks in, and keeps you informed. For families who want to give an elder closer to home the same care, our other programmes offer ways to help.
Expanding Our Impact
"Take care of as many people as you can. Make sure they are fed." — Yvan Freemond
Yvan Freemond Memorial Drive
Through the Yvan Freemond Memorial Drive, we provide direct financial support for food and basic needs, helping elders in Haiti access essential care and transportation through trusted local relationships, with a focus on dignity and respect.