Assemblywoman Bonnie Watson-Coleman to Keynote We Are BOOST Allies' Awards

Youth Initiatives, Intergenerational Cohesion and Business Development are Focuses of Ceremony - Friday, April 17





Trenton New Jersey - March 27, 2009 - Intergenerational leadership, service to community and facilitating transition into twenty-first century better practices is the theme of BOOST's Allies of Humanities Awards Dinner and Ceremony that will be held from 5pm until 7pm at Planet Havana restaurant on Friday, April 17. Assemblywoman and Majority Leader Bonnie Watson-Coleman will be the keynote speaker for the affair which features a food-drive, new program announcements, networking and full dinner buffet featuring Cuban cuisine.

Planet Havana is located in Trenton's arena district at 449 South Broad Street. Tickets are $25 if purchased by Friday, April 3 and $35 thereafter. Those who want to attend can purchase tickets on-line at www.weareboost.org, call (206) 202-2883 or email allies@weareboost.org. Part of ticket proceeds will benefit the BOOST's youth arts, poetry and prose contest. Secure off-street parking is available.

Building Open Opportunity Structures Together (BOOST) CEO and Found Tim Razzaq says his group is “publicly recognizing outstanding individuals who have made enormous personal sacrifices over an extended period of time to help improve the lives of others. We will collect food for the areas homeless population, unveil unique youth enrichment initiatives and launch a concerted effort to bring a bit of revitalization to the city’s economy encouraging more support existing establishments and inviting new businesses to locate here.”

Trenton's South Ward City Councilman the Reverend Jim Coston will welcome BOOST and the organization's visitors to the area. Mercer County Community College Professor of the Year Alvyn Haywood will serve as Master of Ceremony and several special guest presenters, including the Mercer's first African-American Vice President of Student Affairs, Dr. Donald "Guy" Generals; will be discuss the College's mission and its vision for the city of Trenton.

Assemblywoman Bonnie Watson-Coleman (D-Mercer) is the Majority Leader of the New Jersey General Assembly. She was elected to the Legislature in 1995 after a 28-year career in state government, and is a former Democratic State Chairwoman.

This year's honorees are:

Ted Plunkett, Music Instructor at Trenton Central High
School (pictured right)

Dr. Renee Walker of Mercer County Community College's "Project Inside"

David Valdes of the Latino Community Land Trust

Amefika Sababu of Amefika's Restaurant in Trenton

Eric Maywar and Laurice Reynolds of Classics Used and Rare Books

Anastasia Harrison of Wesketch Architecture + Design and newly elected member of the U.S. Green Building Council's New Jersey Chapter

Father Brian McCormick of Martin House

National Academy fellow and Mercer County Community College Professor Mel Leipzig

Kieanna Childs-Alexander, third Vice-President of the NAACP Trenton Chapter and current Mrs. Mercer County - United States - says "the community received a true gift in Father Brian. His undeniable commitment and dedication to the people of Trenton is probably the greatest gift of all. It is from Father Brian that I have learned an important, lifelong lesson in philanthropy. That lesson is to always search for ways to help and uplift those in need," referring to Father Brain McCormick, who has led efforts to bring hope to some of Trenton's poorest resident's in one of the poorest parts of the city through his Martin House family of programs.

Music instructor Ted Plunkett has at least one fervent admirer who will have the honor of presenting the Allies Award to her long-time mentor. "Ted has impacted two generations of my family," says Karen Baylor, who is affectionately known as the 'band mom' and a board member of Trenton Community Music School. "I went to school with him (Plunkett) at Trenton Central High School and would like an opportunity to thank him for all he has done for the TCHS Marching Band, Orchestra and Jazz Ensemble. My two daughters have studied with him their entire high school years."

Trenton Makes LLC and JASKO Development LLC, two of the Award's sponsors, have each been working with BOOST in an effort to draw new businesses to Trenton through an intense marketing campaign and by offering high quality and ideally located affordable office and commercial space. The companies also support the group's youth enrichment initiative.

"We operate by the golden rule and believe in giving back to the community," says JASKO President Avner Krohn. "Our experience with the not-for-profit sector is second to none. Our understanding of the build out needs and the funding and leasing challenges of nonprofit organizations coupled with BOOST's acumen for community outreach and public relations are the right ingredients for successfully bringing new business tenants to downtown. We already house Catholic Charities and Goodwill, just to name a few. We are looking to help others get their footing here."

Other Ceremony participants include:

Opening of the Way (Opening Prayer) - Samut Angela Scott
Magical Mother Coaching & Empowerment Services
http://www.magicalmother.com/

Allies is sponsored by:

Brooken Circle Corp
http://www.brookencircle.com/

Trenton Makes LLC
http://www.trentonmakesllc.com/

Royalty Productions & Services LLC
http://www.royaltyps.com/

VA On the Spot
http://www.vaonthespot.com/

Strictly Business Energy
http://www.strictlybusinessenergy.com/

Strictly Business Home & Commercial Inspections
http://www.strictlybusinessinspections.com/

JASKO Development LLC
Web site under construction

Proceeds to Benefit:

We Are BOOST Contest to Camp Campaign 2009Youth Arts, Poetry and Prose Contest

Food Drive for Brooken Circle Food Pantry& the Salvation Army Drop-In Center

How to register to attend Allies of Humanity 2009

Planet Havana is located in Trenton's arena district at 449 South Broad Street. Tickets are $25 if purchased by Friday, April 3 and $35 thereafter. Those who want to attend can purchase tickets on-line at www.weareboost.org, call (206) 202-2883 or email allies@weareboost.org. Part of ticket proceeds will benefit the organization's youth arts, poetry and prose contest. Secure off-street parking is available. Details about the awards can be found at www.weareboost.org

About We Are Building Open Opportunity Structures Together (We Are BOOST)

We Are BOOST is a creative community solutions organization that develops and utilizes innovative and customized strategies to build structured relationships between people, organizations, businesses, institutions and agencies that lead to beneficial social, economic and educational outcomes and opportunities in under-served communities and emerging neighborhoods and market.

We Are Building Open Opportunity Structures Together
Tim Razzaq, CEO & Founder
(206) 202-2883 - timrazzaq@weareboost.org – http://www.weareboost.org/
439 South Broad Street – Suite 201
Trenton, New Jersey 0611