Credo Foundation seeks help from volunteers

People with various skill sets are being asked to volunteer with CREDO Foundation for Justice because doing so will help make a difference in the lives of children who are being pressured to join gangs in Port-of Spain and environs.

The appeal came from CREDO Drop-in center Coordinator Carlene Donald today after receiving stationery supplies from Eric Taylor, Personal Assistant to the Minister in the Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries, Franklin Khan.

“CREDO welcome persons who are interested in volunteering and giving back to the community in any way ‘time, stationary items, snacks/drinks, transport assistance or monthly donations.’” She continued, “The aim of our centres is to get the young people away from the streets and other abusive situations, and to provide them with the various personal, social and educational skills they need to become productive citizens and responsible adults in the future.”

Donald expressed disbelief to know that the majority of citizens in TT do not know about the CREDO Foundation for Justice.

She said the foundation was founded in 1997 and is a non-profit, non-Governmental Organisation affiliated with the Holy Faith Sisters, in collaboration with other stakeholders. Also, the foundation also identify and respond to social injustice faced by the most vulnerable and marginalised in society, and currently provides accommodation for 32 young people.

The youths are housed at two of the foundation’s Residential Development Centres for socially displaced youth at Credo Drop-In and Development Centre for boys, and Sophia House, an empowerment centre for young girls at risk.

“It was disheartening hearing that none of the representatives from the Ministry of Energy and the majority of people in society never heard of the organisation CREDO. This however, reinforced the need to create public awareness ‘all electronic/social media’ to the public at large.”

Donald said the foundation offers a safe place with educational, developmental and recreational activities for the youth and children of the “notoriously dangerous” area in East Port of Spain.

She said it is her hope CREDO not only will make a difference in the youngsters lives but, also to make an impact on the nation’s societal problems of homelessness, drugs, crime and violence.

Some of the programmes and activities offered at CREDO include parenting self development (parents), all fours tournament (fathers of the community), Mothers Day events, restorative circle, life skill, social activities, fund-raising events, literacy programme, Mathematics and English lessons (small monthly fee), Ballroom Dancing/Martial Arts, reading club and a youth club, balloon decoration and floral arrangement.