Ms. Renae Raymond, Christel House Jamaica’s Head of Social Services and Guidance Counsellor, has received the 2025 HerFlow Unsung Shero Award. This award honours women who are quietly making a powerful impact. For those who know Ms. Raymond, it’s recognition that’s deeply deserved.

Ms. Raymond has been with Christel House since its inception, as part of the team of three who recruited our first cohort of students five years ago. Since then, she has been a steady, compassionate force on whom students, parents, and staff have come to rely. Her journey began with a passion for children’s ministry, where she first discovered the joy of guiding young minds. That same passion now fuels her daily work at Christel House, where she helps our students navigate not only their education but their emotional worlds.

In today’s fast-paced, high-pressure world, Ms. Raymond sees the challenges our students face with raw honesty. “Many of them struggle with conflict resolution,” she explains. “They’re unsure how to express frustration or navigate disagreements without it escalating.” Through intentional sessions focused on emotional regulation and problem-solving, she teaches students how to pause, breathe, and approach challenges thoughtfully. She helps them understand that conflict doesn’t have to mean chaos and that communication is a powerful tool for peace.

If given the opportunity to change one thing for Jamaican students, Ms. Raymond would start at home. “We need more community and parental interventions that equip caregivers with the skills and emotional tools they need,” she says. “So many of our children come from environments that lack the support they deserve. Hurt people hurt people. But if we invest in healing and equipping our parents, we can raise children who are emotionally stronger and more resilient.”

Her vision for the next generation is as inspiring. “Success doesn’t always look like being the smartest in the class,” she reflects. “It’s about having good character, valuing mental wellness, and being emotionally intelligent. I want to raise a generation of children who understand themselves; who grow into adults that can make sound life decisions, not just for themselves, but for their families and communities.”

Ms. Raymond’s work goes far beyond guidance. It’s healing. It’s transformation. It’s love in action. And now, the rest of the country has seen what we at Christel House have known all along…she’s a true Shero.

Congratulations, Ms. Raymond. Your legacy is already in motion.