Cedarbrook Center

Thank you for your generosity. Inch by inch, row by row, we're gonna help God's garden grow.

Thanks to Give MN, the Bush Foundation, Southwest Initiative Foundation, Northwest Minnesota Foundation, Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation, West Central Initiative, and Initiative Foundation for sponsoring Minnesota's biggest day of giving.

We're passionate about helping kids reach their fullest potential. Join us on a journey of connecting, empowering, and transforming lives in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

We interrupt this story for a commercial message: Jerry needs help with travel expenses:

Our focus is to help children.  We can't turn our backs when disasters happen. Hurricane Beryl demolished most of the three southernmost islands in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. International support and rescue was swift – for most places.

Four months later Vincentians are still struggling to recover physically and the trauma has not been addressed. 

(The Catholic church was the most solid building, so many went there for safety during the hurricane. All are safe, now.)

At the request of Fr. Victor, Jerry will make a trip in December to conduct a trauma-based needs assessment and strengthen relationships with those on the southern islands (Canouan, Union Island, and Mayreau).

Back to our regularly scheduled programming:

Damian is a "barrel child". His mom works on a cruise ship for 6 - 9 months at a time. She sends him clothes and food (they come in a barrel) and sees him twice a year. Help us fund a mentor program so he (and many others) can get more adult support and individual attention.

Shamika has mental challenges and a big smile. She lives at St. Benedict Home for Children. She'd like a table to share with her friends so they don't have to do their homework on the floor.

Rhona was sexually abused. She is safe now at Guadalupe Home for Girls. Her house mother requests help with food and toiletries for 24 girls. (The home burned down in March 2020 and is still awaiting approval to be rebuilt – and the basic necessities are always a great need.)

In St. Vincent and the Grenadines, we work with adults to improve the lives of children. We provide:

1. Empowerment: We're kickstarting a Program Coordinator for our Mentor Program to pave the way for brighter futures.
2. Transforming Trauma into Resilience: Our specialized training equips teachers, counselors, and mentors to make a lasting difference by teaching ways to work with kids experiencing trauma.
3. Support for our underfunded partner programs: Guadalupe Home for Girls, St. Benedict Children's Home, the De Porres Trust, and Marion House.
4. Impact, Service, and Cross-Cultural Connection: Join me on a Mission Trip to St. Vincent – or help fund someone for their trip.