GoodHeart | Courtney Washington, Hope Wade to headline COJO charity fashion show

Children of Jamaica Outreach (COJO) Inc, a New York-based non-profit organisation dedicated to serving less fortunate children in Jamaica, will host its 15th Charity Fashion Show fundraiser on Saturday, August 15, in Westbury, Long Island, New York. Funds raised from the event will go towards assisting children in state-run homes in Jamaica, as well as some schools.

The fashion show will showcase creations by Jamaican well-known fashion designers Courtney Washington and Hope Wade, among others.

Washington told GoodHeart that his show will feature several original creations done specifically for the COJO show. “I decided on the COJO show because it is my way of giving back, and I know that the organisation has a stellar reputation for helping children,” he said.

He shared that the theme of his show will be a tribute to Jamaica, with several pieces designed to reflect that inspiration. “I want it to be exciting. I want it to be fabulous,” he added.

With more than 20 years of design experience, Wade will showcase 25 pieces, featuring burlap designs alongside formal wear. Wade, who was born in Kingston but spent part of her childhood in Port Royal, went to Vaz Preparatory School and later Convent of Mercy Academy (Alpha). After leaving school, she worked with the Bank of Jamaica for about two years before migrating to the United States in 1982 and attending a New York technical college and later Cooper Union on a full scholarship, where she obtained a bachelor’s degree in graphic design and photography.

Wade got into the fashion world by way of the trade show route. She left her job after creating a dress for herself to wear to a New Year’s affair, which marked the beginning of her design career. “I received rave reviews on the dress, and people began ordering from me,” she explained.

Wade pointed out that although she was receiving orders, she still worked part-time to pay the bills before transitioning full-time into fashion. One of her gowns currently hangs in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Ohio. She has outfitted several celebrities and currently runs her own fashion boutique in Nyack, New York.

Wade said that she is looking forward to exhibiting her creations at the COJO Fashion Show fundraiser, especially because the funds raised support children in state-run institutions.

COJO Inc was formed by Gary Williams in 1994, with the commitment to investing in the future of children and supporting childcare institutions. “I like to do good, and the opportunity came to me to give back to children in government care,” Williams shared with GoodHeart about the formation of the organisation.

He pointed out that children in government care do not have an alumni, so COJO is their voice, their alumni. “These are the kids that I believe are neglected and I believe that, if given the opportunity, can become productive citizens,” he said.

Over the years, Williams has brought together sponsors from corporate America and well-established Jamaican-owned businesses, both in the diaspora and in Jamaica, to assist homes across the island.

In 2012, COJO introduced the scholarship part of its outreach. Since then, some US$300,000 in scholarships have been given to students in government care to attend institutions such as the University of Technology, Mico University College, Shortwood College and Northern Caribbean University. Homes have also been provided with much-needed equipment such as stoves, washing machines and dryers, as well as refrigerators. In one instance, COJO has built a library at the Glenhope Place of Safety.

Looking to the future, Williams said that he hopes COJO will continue to expand its support for children in state care.

“We hope to continue to advocate for children in state care. We hope to give more scholarships, and we hope to get more corporate entities involved,” he shared.

Williams firmly believes that the country’s children are the country’s greatest resource and that every child can become a productive citizen. “Children in state care are there through no fault [of] theirs, and they must be given the chance to achieve their full potential,” he said.

goodheart@gleanerjm.com