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Contact:
Claudia Monlouis
Wednesday, January 26, 2005 - The social needs of youth at risk and older
persons were combined under one umbrella on Thursday, January 26th, in an effort
to discuss ways in which the National Community Foundation (NCF) can
holistically help alleviate the concerns of both groups.
Addressing the opening of the NCF’s national consultation, Director of the NCF’s
Board Miss Emma Hippolyte noted that both the old and young play integral roles
in societal development. Miss Hippolyte said their needs should not always be
addressed in isolation of the other, as dialogue between the two can be a
productive exchange of ideas, particularly for NCF projects.
“What we have done is to invite representatives of various youth groups and
groups dealing or serving older persons. We expected approximately one hundred
persons and we believe it is important for them, because it is an opportunity to
network, to understand what is happening in the area of youth and to understand
what is happening in the areas of the elderly and to get them to start working
together to improve the lot of both”, Miss Hippolyte said.
Throughout the consultation, persons were also briefed on how best to access
funding and support from the respective committees responsible for NCF community
projects.
“Last year we had the first group and that is the group for persons with
disabilities. We had a good consultation and out of that quite a few projects
were written and we helped with the funding. We expect a similar outcome out of
today’s session and for the other groups we will be doing the same thing
periodically”, Miss Hippolyte said.
Meanwhile, the NCF has also released its Annual Report for the financial year
2003/2004. The report details total assets in excess of $700,000, total grants
awarded and total number of donors. In her report Director of the NCF Board Ms.
Emma Hippolyte expresses gratitude to the 56 persons who volunteered their time
to the NCF, as well as international, corporate and individual donors to the NCF
Fund.
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