You Care. We Care. Hosts Holiday Brunch to Spread Holiday Cheer

In the spirit of giving associated with the Christmas season, You Care. We Care. (YCWC), a charity founded by professionals committed to making a difference, hosted a holiday brunch on December 9, 2018, to celebrate a successful year of providing essential services to children and families in great need in Haiti. The founders of this organization now constitute the board as follows: Gina Strauss, Margaret Ruhiu, Joanna Converse, Ludner Felix, Jennifer Hampton, Jason Kahan, Melissa Donahue, and Ken Macharia.

Gina Strauss, the executive director, told Ajabu Africa News that she was motivated to start the organization when she traveled to Haiti and saw how much the communities there needed the kind of services most people in the United States take for granted. Many of these children had been homeless and/or orphaned, especially after the earthquakes that have hit the country in recent times.

YCWC has been focusing on basic health care, including early intervention for babies and toddlers aged 0 to 3 years; occupational therapy for children to improve motor skills and enhance self-esteem; physical therapy for children who have been injured or had their ability to move curtailed by disability or illness; trauma informed care; and recreational therapy. After her Haiti visit, Gina was inspired to start a residential program to supplement the clinical care, and now the organization is expanding its services to include training and professional services for caregivers beyond the clinical setting.

The residential program serves homeless children with special needs, as well as developmental programs for the communities from which these children come. Software-learning platforms have therefore been set up for local graduates to get training in professional skills that would otherwise be inaccessible.

The December 9 event was held to promote the work YCWC is conducting, and to raise funds to expand the services it provides. The funds raised then will also go towards building a garden and play area for the children. Through a silent auction of paintings, Yoga mats, and other artifacts made by artists in Kenya and Haiti, the brunch in addition sought to raise funds for expansion of programs to Kenya and Brazil. A total of 15 children found sponsors at the brunch, and Gina and her team of organizers expressed their immense gratitude and confidence that the work they are doing will continue to grow and reap success in the future.

Gina Strauss addresses guests at the Dec 9 holiday brunch

"Me and my family are living proof that sponsoring a child is more than just providing a monetary gift," Gina explained to the guests gathered at Joe's American Bar and Grill on the scenic Boston waterfront district. "These children are now thriving, and my family is so happy for the joy we have been able to give them."

Yubi, one of the children supported by the program, Gina elaborated, was 11 when she met him, but looked 6 due to severe malnutrition. He had been neglected and abused as well. One of the therapies YCWC uses to intervene in cases such as these is Yoga. Gina was excited to report how Yubi came to love Yoga.

"The boys in Haiti love Yoga more than the girls," she told the crowd of well-wishers, who included Americans, Brazilians, and Kenyans. Gina is originally from Serbia, while one of the other founders, Margaret Ruhiu, is a Kenyan native.

Margaret, the Kenya Projects Chair, told Ajabu News that she and her co-founders hope to open a program in Kenya in 2019.

Some of the paintings for sale at the Dec. 9 silent auction

Margaret, who was accompanied by her good friends, expressed her hope that more Kenyans will be inspired to get involved in such charitable events.

One of the tables at the event consisted of this illustrious group of Kenyan ladies.

For further information about YCWC, and on how you can be a part of this exciting endeavor, please visit https://www.youcarewecare.org/