When TCJ founder, Rev John Steigerwald, was vacationing with his family in Jamaica in 1996 and saw a woman half naked and half dead lying in the gutter in Sam Sharpe Square - he took home a memory he would not be able to forget. He knew the woman was most likely an addict, and discovering that Jamaica did not have a TC center, he took action. 

He contacted Global TC to let them know of the need in Jamaica. However, God’s plans were that John and his family would move to Jamaica in 1997, open a men’s program in Kingston the same year, and begin work on a 40-bed women’s home in Ocho Rios in 1998. This home opened in the fall of 2001. You would have expected the women to run to TC for refuge -  on the contrary, few women came, less stayed, and there were even fewer successes. 

Two women died of AIDS during their time with TCJ. Certainly the initial efforts were not in vain, and God always has more in mind with His purposes than we can see - but the program was suspended in February 2005 due to the need to focus on one program (the men’s program), re-assess the women’s program, and identify a new facility for the women. 

We have no doubt that God has a burden for the desolate lives of women in Jamaica and will provide a new start in due time. Please be praying with us for 1) A new Director and staffing for the women’s program, 2) A new home for the women (the men’s program is now operating in the Ocho Rios facility) and 3) Funding. If you would like to make a contribution toward the re-opening of the women’s program, please designate - TCJ Women’s Home- on your check. We look forward to sharing the news with you soon that once again there is a place for hurting women in Jamaica.