CaribPR Wire

CaribPR Newswire , New York , NY :  The United States Ambassador to the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago , Dr. Roy L. Austin, headlines a list of outstanding individuals who will be presented with CACNY Role Models of Distinction Awards on Thursday October 2nd, in Brooklyn , New York . The St. Vincent and the Grenadines-born Austin is the lone man along with six exceptional women to be presented with special awards by The Caribbean American Center of New York, Inc., on Thursday October 2, 2008 at 6: 30 p.m.  at the Grand Prospect Hall, 263 Prospect Avenue in Brooklyn , NY 11215 . Over 400 guests from the tri-state area, including high level government and corporate officials and community leaders are set to gather to recognize Dr. Austin along with Ambassador La Celia A. Prince, St.Vincent & the Grenadines Ambassador to the USA; Ms. Marisa Rivera-Albert, former President of the National Hispana Leadership Institute; Ms. Jeanne B. Mullgrav, Commissioner-NYC Department of Youth & Community Development; Ms. Janice Weinman, President of Kids in Distressed Situations; Ms. Antonia Yuille-Williams, Director of Public Affairs for Con Edison in New York and  Ms. Patricia Reddock, President of the 67th Police Precinct Council in Brooklyn South. “”This year is especially important, since five of our Role Models are from the Caribbean .  We as parents need to expose our children to positive role models like these every chance we get”" said CACNY Executive Director, Jean Alexander. “”Both Austin and Prince are from St. Vincent and the Grenadines while Mullgrav is from the Dominican Republic , Rivera-Albert from Puerto Rico and Reddock is from Jamaica . “”We are delighted to have at least 30 minority youths present at the event to meet and learn from our honorees during a special face to face meeting.  In addition, Ambassador La Celia Prince has volunteered to immediately to meet with these young people to begin to mentor our future leaders.  This alone speaks volumes about this young role model!”" CACNY Role Models of Distinction Awards was established in 2005 to offer solid alternatives to some Inner City “”at risk”" youth, particularly those from single parent families. CACNY services are presented with the support of entities like Moet Hennessy USA , Tiffany’s, Turner Construction, Con Edison, NY Daily News, The Carnegie Corporation, K.I.D.S., Petra B. Corporation and others. Alexander insists that CACNY’s mission remains unchanged since 1987:  to empower and enhance the quality of life for immigrants and minorities by providing educational programs, citizenship advocacy, employment and skills training and other humanitarian services with a strong focus on young people who are considered “”at risk.”"  Programs include CACNY Youth Compass Program, Children in Homeless Shelters and the annual Role Models of Distinction Awards. The non-profit organization has served over 62,000 needy adults, small children and teenagers at NO CHARGE since 1987. Tickets to the fundraiser are $125. Proceeds will go towards underwriting the attendance of 30 youths to the event. Please call CACNY at:  718-625-1515 or Donna Charles: 646-229-4625: Stanley Browne: 973-893-9091 or Gala Dinner Chairperson – Elenora Bernard: 718-856-1583 or 917-559-6522.