YWCA to host charity event
The Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA) will be hosting its first concert in over 30 years.
Titled Professionals in Concert, the event is expected to raise funds for the institution, which is said to be in need of several educational resources.
The institution predominantly caters to troubled teens and disenfranchised, underage mothers who have been rejected by mainstream schools.
The concert is spearheaded by popular artistic director-dancer Karen Wright, known for her work with Baby Cham, among other established acts.
“Charity is important to me. This is not the regular government-funded high school, so the extra assistance is needed. These are girls who have had a hard time, and somebody has to be there for them,” she said.
Principal Denise Jeffries says that the students need a fair chance to compete in society.
“Our programmes are lacking in the resources that we actually need, so we are doing this in order to promote the school and get the resources we need,” she said. “We mostly do skills-related programmes, and some parents contribute fees to pay utility bills. However, there is a far way to go. The children have a lot to offer.”
Carol Blake, secretary of the planning committee, revealed that the 54-year-old school is hosting its first event in as many years.
She also said that notable persons have attended the school but are reluctant to give back due to a stigma that paints the school as a ‘babymother’ school.
“We want this to be a launching pad because I think persons are ashamed to say they attended the school. We want to break that culture because it has held back our progress over the years,” she said.
The event will be held on April 28 at the Thelma Rose Auditorium, 51 Arnold Road, commencing at 6 p.m.