Jamaica’s Youth Minister to Deliver Keynote at Children of Jamaica Outreach (COJO) Gala in December

NEW YORK – Jamaica’s Minister of Youth and Culture Honorable Lisa Hanna will be special guest at the 19th Annual Scholarship Gala of the New York based Jamaican charity Children of Jamaica Outreach (COJO) Inc. The gala and awards will take place at the Hilton New York, JFK Airport on Saturday, December 14, 2013 with a cocktail reception at 7:30 pm to be followed by dinner and dance.

Proceeds from this major fundraiser are used to provide scholarships and support for deserving students and Jamaican child care institutions in need.

The Youth Minister has lauded the efforts of the New York based charity, and is a firm believer in the power of education as a means of empowerment and advancement.

Speaking at COJO’s Scholarship Luncheon in Jamaica during Child Month, the Minister had high praises for the scholarship recipients noting that they are an inspiration to her and role models for other young people to emulate.

In her remarks, the Minister said it is important that when children are doing well, “when they are braving the odds and in the face of adversity conquering all and achieving outstanding accomplishments,” they must be given the recognition that they deserve, as COJO is doing through this “fine gesture,” which will provide encouragement and tangible help for the deserving young people.

This year’s gala dinner and awards is being held under the patronage of Jamaica’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Courtenay Rattray. Among the honorees this year are The Door Restaurant; Dr. Daniel Laroche and Dr. Karlene Chin Quee, Founder, Heartbeats of the World.

For more than a decade, the volunteer-driven organization has supported a number of institutions in Jamaica and the United States. Among them the Alpha Boys’ Home; Glenhope Place of Safety; Marigold Child Care Centre, Musgrave Girls’ Home, Summerfield Boys Home, Muirton Boy’s Home and Windsor Girls’ Home in Jamaica; and in New York, the Jamaica, Queens YMCA and Leaf of Life.

A number of corporate entities including JetBlue have donated airline tickets as raffle prizes with several Jamaican hotels providing accommodation. Tickets for the annual gala are on sale now and can be obtained by contacting the Children of Jamaica Outreach (COJO) office at 1-888- 275-0121.