Run * Walk * Support * Win* at the 2nd Annual Children of the Caribbean Foundation’s “Every Child Matters – 5K Run/Walk”

Los Angeles, CA – February 20, 2012 – Children of the Caribbean Foundation, Inc. (“COTC”) announces its 2nd Annual fundraising and awareness event “Every Child Matters 5K Run-Walk”, to raise funds to support and nurture the lives of underprivileged youth in the Caribbean in the area of education (supplies and scholarships), health and development. All proceeds from the run-walk will directly impact the daily lives of youth in the Caribbean and Los Angeles and pay for medical examinations, textbooks, backpacks and school supplies in support of COTC’s back-to-school outreach initiative.

 Who: Children of the Caribbean Foundation, Inc.

What: COTC and its board of directors host this event to elevate awareness of the challenges faced by youth in the Caribbean islands. Each year hundreds of thousands of youth are plagued by poverty and disease. COTC’s mission is to provide relief and assistance to disadvantaged children across the Caribbean in the areas of education, healthcare and social development. The run-walk is one of many events planned to raise funding to support the organization’s mission.

“EVERY CHILD MATTERS” is a USATF sanctioned envent. All participants must register to receive an official race number. Online registration is available at www.caribbeanchild.com and www.active.com/running/los-angeles-ca/every-child-matters-5k-run-walk-2012

ALL REGISTERED PARTICIPANTS FOR THE RUN/WALK ARE ELIGIBLE TO WIN A CARIBBEAN CRUISE FOR TWO

When: Saturday, June 16, 2012 at 8:30 a.m.

Where: Loyola Marymount University – Lawton Plaza (Library Amphitheater), 1 LMU Drive, Los Angeles, CA.

COTC is a registered non-profit organization. At its inception, the foundation provided backpacks and school supplies to disadvantaged children on the island of Anguilla. Since then the foundation has also provided the National Children’s Home in Dominica with enough cereal to feed their orphaned children for one year. In Grenada, the foundation is assisting the Grenada Emergency Shelter, which functions as a home to girls removed from their families by providing personal items, such as clothing and toiletries etc. The foundation has also provided clothing and household supplies (shower curtains, table cloths, and dishes) to HIV positive children who reside at the Cyril Ross SVP Nursery in Trinidad. In 2011 the foundation decided to extend its reach and also provided food and support to homeless children in the Los Angeles area.

COTC has an impressive list of supporters and board members who support the non-profit including Actress and board member Nia Long, Actor Eric Close (Without a Trace) and Actor Blair Underwood.

For More Information Contact: Lawnie Grant

ECM@caribbeanchild.com or lawnie@caribbeanchild.com

310.651.8317 ext 600

We just received the latest update regarding the Cyril Ross Nursery Renovation Project.

Below is the progress report from the project contractor Damion Marcellin

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2y1pE3yn6M

We are happy to officially announce that construction has begun at the Cyril Ross Nursery on Trinidad and Tobago!

It is our hope that the kids who live at the Nursery wouldn’t simply have a better home to live in when the construction is over, but that each one of us would do our part to make this world a better place for the kids at Cyril Ross – in fact for everyone! Let’s heal the world!

Look forward to more updates on the progress of the new construction coming soon!

Thanks again for all of your support!  With out you this project just would not be a possibility.

On Wednesday, Jan 19th Josie Owens and I appeared on the Morning Edition (on TV6) a local version of “Good Morning America” here on Trinidad (arranged by Josie). This provided an excellent opportunity to high light the Cyril Ross Nursery, it’s needs, it’s excellent work and a fabulous avenue for exposing Children of the Caribbean Foundation in the Caribbean.  (We will be given footage of this television interview).

On the afternoon of Jan. 19th I did a 30 minute show – called One-on-One with the island’s local Cable Television Network IETV this is airing tonight at 7:00p.m. (local time) We already have footage of this pre-recorded talk show.  This television interview was arranged by Josie who is doing an excellent job at giving the Foundation exposure in the Caribbean.

Today, Wendy and I met with the Director of the Rainbow Foundation, a boys home in Port of Spain.  We presented them with backpacks and school supplies.  The home is in an extremely dilapidated condition and as usual the situation is more than depressing.  Lots more to report on this topic.  This meeting arranged by Wendy, gives us yet another great cause that we can support.

Wendy and I also met with the Canoe Foundation, an organization that exposes high risk children to the arts, providing them to music lessons, dance classes, paintings and other forms of art.  Another excellent program that desperately needs support.  Lots more to report on this project.  This meeting arranged by Wendy actually provided us with areas in Social Development where we could assist in the Caribbean.  Small requests such as 5 violins are some of the HUGE needs of programs for these at risk kids.

Wamly,

Rosie Hodge-Adams

A special thanks to all of you for supporting and donating to the various programs COTC undertook in 2011. We are proud to say that 2011 was a productive and successful year for the foundation and, more importantly, for the children we have been able to assist!

We are proud to say that, by keeping foundation operational costs to a minimum, we were able to allocate 83% of all COTC Foundation revenue generated in 2011 towards the programs that directly benefited children in need in the Caribbean.

Thank you once again and we hope to continue moving forward into 2012 with even more enthusiasm and support from all of you and to be able to grow new supporters throughout this year!

Children of the Caribbean Foundation is not simply concerned with the welfare of children in the Caribbean, but the organization also cares about children all over the world – especially at this time of the year!

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The "Friend-Raiser" at The Mark for Events was a great success! Special thanks to all the attendees and everyone who helped out!

The Children of the Caribbean Foundation raised over $30,000 with a cocktail party which they called a ‘Friend-Raiser’ to effect necessary changes at the Cyril Ross Nursery on the island of Trinidad. The event which took place at ‘The Mark’ in Los Angeles and was hosted by Eric and Keri Close last Sunday Evening. Numerous friends turned out to support the cause making the night a complete success!!

We would like to thank all those who participated. We are excited to be able to fulfill our promise to the children of the Cyril Ross nursery!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXhg2nf-vk8

The Cyril Ross Nursery needs help to provide the safety, healthcare, and education to the 30+ HIV/AIDS infected children it plays home to. Co-Founder Rosie Hodge-Adams discusses the charity’s plans to make the necessary improvements to the nursery and how your help is needed.