Business

The second staging of the GraceKennedy Education Run is aiming to raise $3 million to assist in funding social programmes for members of inner-city communities.

Last year's inaugural event raised approximately $1.8 million which went into education programmes for inner-city communities in Kingston.

"Children must represent the best of our nation," declared Sam Richards, founding member of Grace and Staff Community Development Foundation.

Richards was addressing Tuesday's launch of the 5K run, which will be held July 4, at GraceKennedy's Harbour Street offices in Kingston.

Educational environment

"It is important for parents to create the environment where children can be educated," he said.

The Grace and Staff Community Development Foundation was established 31 years ago to address social and economic issues in the inner city.

Within the past 31 years, the foundation has provided educational material and financial assistance for children in need.

The foundation has also initiated a number of projects including job shadowing, parenting education, school fee support and homework centres.

Carlene Taylor describes herself as a product of her parents, community and GraceKennedy's homework programme.

"When we went to the homework centre, we had no doubts in our minds that we were safe," she said.

The Learning Institute of Central Kingston on Tower Street in downtown Kingston is one of three. The others may be found in Majesty Gardens and Barbican in St Andrew.

According to Frances Madden, general manager of Grace and Staff Community Development Foun-dation, the homework centre started with 15 children, and now there are more than 300.

Madden said GraceKennedy was told that the company was "mad".

"This madness has paid off," she declared.

laura.redpath@gleanerjm.com

Important reminders

The GraceKennedy Education Run 2010 will take place at Kingston's Waterfront on Sunday, July 4 at 7 a.m.

Registration is $800 and $300 for children registering with a school team.

Runners, walkers and persons living with disabilities may take part.