Miss Dominica, Leslassa Armour-Shilingford and International Recording Artist, Michele Henderson have taken up the cause of supporting Dominica’s less fortunate by backing the Home at Heart Initiative (HHI), a non-profit organization established to unite Dominican’s from around the world to support Dominican’s at home.
“When I learned about the initiative, I was immediately motivated to get involved. I think that this is a movement that all Dominicans can identify with no matter where they live. I encourage everyone who can, to contribute,” Henderson said.
The initiative was developed by a coalition of Dominicans both at home and abroad for the purpose of collecting donations from Dominicans all over the world through its website (www.homeatheart.org) and funneling them into Dominica, to the places where they can have the most impact. HHI will use these funds to purchase essential goods and services from the smallest local proprietors and donate them to the underprivileged families in villages around the Island, boosting the local economy and helping the less fortunate at the same time.
“We are really thrilled to welcome Leslassa and Michele to the cause, with their support I am even more confident that HHI can be real success,” O’Dell Grell, HHI Co-founder.
The initiative, which has been active for a little over three weeks has already made its first round of donations.
“As Miss Dominica 2013 and being the Ambassador for the International Institute for Peace through Tourism (IIPT), I am honoured to endorse this initiative. This self-sustaining approach will directly impact families, the development of the businesses and communities at large,” Armour-Shillingford said.
The initiative would like to remind Dominicans that everyone needs to be involved if this is going to be a success. They encourage everyone to visit the website and give whatever they can towards the cause.
people tell who that win give Leslassa the crown
to whom much is given much is expected
As family, I can firmly say that Michele Henderson came from humbly beginnings & nothing was handed to her. She worked hard for everything
amazing job guys
I applaud this initiative and I love Michele Henderson and our Queen. Not to be negative but I would prefer if we could teach to fish rather than give a fish eh. So I hope this initiative will introduce training programs etc. soon. Also, I just checked out the website, we need more info for accountability purposes. I have worked in fundraising so I need to see more of “who we are” with names associated with this organization and what they will do to show that the bulk of the money is going towards the mission, not just for “admin costs”. Something to let me know you guys will be accountable and transparent (although that really does not do very much but still). But honestly, it’s a great initiative/start and I will support.
Absolutely, Transparency is essential!
Let’s start by clearing up some issues right now.
We have fully automated the entire donation process and will give regular detailed status reports to our donors via email.
Following suit of some of the most successful and reputable Charity Organizations. Our “Admin Costs” will NEVER exceed 20%.
Moreover we will publish regular reports on our website and show progress in the areas we have designated.
We want our donors, and the general public to rest assured that we are putting programs in place to encourage continued economic growth.
Focusing on the needs of our beneficiaries and ensuring that they continue to “go to work.”
Our process will work like this:
1. Identify less fortunate economic areas in Dominica.
2. Work with community leaders to identify local businesses and individuals who would benefit from our donations.
3. Setup contractual obligations for continual benefit with:
*the individuals (e.g. steady income, economically qualified, etc…)
*the businesses (e.g. sound business practices, trades mostly local items)
4. Once a month donate directly to the local business who will in-turn provide goods and/or services to the individuals we designate.
Lastly, we take your feedback about “who we are” we will update our website to have a founders page where you can learn more about those who are running the Initiative.
The Home at Heart was developed by Dominicans; O’Dell Grell, Dion St. Hilaire and Kiyana Edwards.
Grell is HHI’s Executive Director and is responsible for its general strategy and finances. He is a Certified Public Accountant and is employed with Ernst & Young, a global accounting a firm.
St. Hiliare is a Consultant with Microsoft, a leading technology company and manages all of HHI’s Information Technology and Social Media.
Both Grell and St. Hilaire live in South Florida.
Edwards, who lives in Dominica, is a recent graduate of Syracuse University where she earned dual master’s degrees in Public Administration and Natural Resource Management as well as a certificate of advanced study in Sustainable Driven Enterprise. Kiyana is responsible for HHI’s operations and logistics.
If you have further suggestions/feedback on this matter please send us an email to: [email protected]
We take all questions, concerns and feedback very seriously as our process evolves.
Thank you for your prompt response to my concerns. I sincerely appreciate it and can see you guys are determined. I will definitely give my support and contact you as needs be. Thanks again.
great response,but i just can’t douse the feeling or sense a little twinge,that the comment has a litle political empathy lol:dominican people are so unpreditable those days,i guest is the political climate, you know,everything today is viewed as double standards.
gwaj comment that is,which brought the response,for those who are wondering,which comment i am reffering to
Thank you for clarifying.
Also, please let us be clear.
The Home At Heart Initiative has NO POLITICAL AFFILIATION. We work only to benefit those in need.
I was just thinking of a way to contribute to my country and this just popped up, I will fully support this move. I’m going to log in right now to see what it’s all about.
Also, please be sure to checkout our Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/HomeAtHeartInit
Yes indeed. Great initiative. I will lend my support to this.
Thank you!
Donations can be made quickly and securely through our website (http://www.homeatheart.org)
You will also be able to keep track of all that you’ve donated and we will send regular reports to track our progress via email.
WHOSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS Leslassa Armour-Shilingford.. Good Job Puss