Kansas City, MO (June 19, 2018) Dave and Fiona Cormack and their family are the lead donors for the renovation of a Children International community center and youth resource center in Cartagena, Colombia. The two new centers were inaugurated earlier this month and will provide 9,000 impoverished children with access to programs and resources to help them break the cycle of poverty.
Children International has been working in Colombia for nearly 30 years, growing the number of children the organization serves there from 1,000 to more than 33,000 over the three decades. It became clear that the aging centers were no longer meeting the needs of Children International’s local staff and the children and youth they serve. By completing the renovation project, Children International is now able to provide more kids with a safe, encouraging and age-appropriate environment.
Susana Eshleman, president and chief executive officer of Children International, explained the importance of the centers: “Our community centers provide a true oasis of hope for our sponsored children. The centers are clean and modern and provide a dignifying and enriching space for everyone who benefits from them. Our buildings help communicate that our children matter when most of their external circumstances too often tell them otherwise.”
Dave Cormack greets one of the Children International teens who will benefit from the new youth resource center. | Download image
The updated community center in Cartagena includes medical and dental clinics, a pharmacy, a computer center, and a children’s discovery and learning center. The youth resource center has several spaces for teens to meet, including a youth training center, arts center, tutoring classroom and a large space for music and dance performances.
“Community centers are the real hubs that provide kids the space and resources necessary to help them grow up healthy, educated, empowered and employed,” according to the Cormacks. “They allow the amazing children and youth in Children International’s program to reach their dreams. The impact and importance of these community centers are near to our hearts, and our family has been proud to be part of this renovation project.”
The Cormack family also helped fund two new centers in Cartagena in 2016. Additionally, they have sponsored kids with Children International since 2013.
Eshleman said, “We are very thankful for generous donors like the Cormack family who recognize the importance of these safe spaces and the positive impact they can have on the impoverished children and youth we serve.”
Learn more about Children International’s community centers.
About Children International
Children International is a leader in the movement to eradicate poverty. From toddler to young adulthood, we surround kids with a caring team, a safe place and a clear path out of poverty through programs focused on health, education, empowerment and employment. Our supporters are inspired as they see children radically change their lives and create a ripple effect that impacts their families and communities for generations to come.
