Family Resource Center, Faced With Financial Hardship, Hosts Car Wash Fundraiser

St. Thomas – Participants in this year’s Entrepreneur Business Institute (EBI), sponsored by International Capital and Management Company and The University of Virgin Islands’ School of Business, are offering their time by participating in a traditional day of service to raise much-needed funds for The Family Resource Center on Saturday, according to a press release EBI issued on Wednesday.

The car wash fundraiser takes place from 9:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. in the Fort Christian Parking Lot.

“It’s a fabulous way for our young people to not only learn about being empowered and enlightened business leaders and owners, but also about the importance of giving back and being good corporate citizens,” said ICMC Community Relations Director, Karen Nelson-Hughes.  “This will be a student-run initiative where they will manage funds, create signage, wash cars, manage traffic flow logistics, offer great customer service and manage the overall operations for the day as they work together to give back to an ever-so-worthy cause.”

The Family Resource Center is a non-profit organization based on St. Thomas that provides free services to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse. They serve clients by providing financial assistance, temporary and permanent housing and ancillary education. As of late, the center has been experiencing some financial challenges and hardship.

According to the agency’s Director of Development, Vernon Araujo, many of the programs that are currently running are funded by government grants, however, appropriated funds have been withheld and even cut completely leaving the program in a desperate financial state.

EBI is a free summer program that exposes 30 participants to entrepreneurial, leadership and business skills each year, while giving them a preview of college life on the UVI campus.

“We are always happy to support the Family Resource Center and this fundraiser comes at the most opportune time,” said Cornel Williams, ICMC President.  “Our hope is that it will not only offer support for this important program, but also offer an important life lesson for our 2015 EBI class.”

The fundraiser is sponsored by International Capital & Management Company and Chi-Co’s Distributing. For more information contact Karen Nelson-Hughes at (340) 777-1302.