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CAC Foundation, Pacers make special donation to STEP Centre

Published:Friday | February 1, 2019 | 12:00 AM
From left: Shasheka Gilzine, administrative assistant of CAC Foundation; Patricia Roberts-Brown, president of the PTA at STEP Centre; Hilary Sherlock, principal of STEP Centre; Gia Abraham, head of the CAC 2000 Foundation; and Stacey Halsall-Peart, immediate past president of Pacers Running Club, hold the symbolic cheque which was presented to the STEP Centre.

CAC 2000 Foundation, in collaboration with Pacers Running Club, is elated that the 10K and Half-Marathon Charity Run held on November 10, 2018, was successful in raising $650,000, all of which has been donated to the STEP Centre. This is $250,000 more than last year.

Pointing to the success of the run, head of the CAC 2000 Foundation, Gia Abraham, ­applauded Devon House Development Ltd for ­providing ­extensive support to the racers’ platform. Abraham also ­commended the Pacers group for aligning with their ­vision and hopes to provide even more funding for children with disabilities through their continued ­relationship and investment in the development of the STEP Centre.

The money was well-received by the school that provides ­therapy, education and ­parenting for ­children with multiple disabilities. CAC Foundation’s mandate, which focuses on providing ­opportunities to those in need, was clearly ­evident in their ongoing relationship with the centre, as Abraham noted plans she has in place.

“The vision for me is to have an entire camp around hippotherapy and being able to service persons with disabilities where it is free of charge to them,” Abraham said.

MUSIC THERAPY

When asked about her plans for the development of the STEP Centre, Abraham was excited to point out that they are currently focusing on music therapy and will once again be bringing licensed music psychologist Emily Dixon to the school.

“In addition to working in this arena, the foundation also runs a technician training programme, which involves enrolling persons from the inner city (once they pass the testing phase), getting them trained, and then outfitting them with the tools necessary for them to hopefully provide for themselves or become gainfully employed,” Abraham said.

Music, drama and art therapy are the areas in which the CAC Foundation hopes to provide further support to the STEP Centre.

The Pacers Club is expected to continue its partnership with CAC Foundation, and noted that they will be devising more ways to work together to enhance the school curriculum and raise funds towards its development.