Welcome to Steward of the Month™

Jennifer Catron and Edwin Blanton were first introduced to Dominica, West Indies when they served in the Peace Corps.  It is a very small island in the Caribbean Sea and is often confused with the Dominican Republic.  Jennifer was assigned to work with the disabled population as her profession is a school psychologist.  She works daily with disabled children in school and wanted to go beyond the boundaries of her job to reach out to those with less resources.  Edwin's assignment in Dominica was to use his business degree to help with the organization of the city government.  Both felt their abilities had not been completely exhausted by the time they ended their Peace Corps stay.  As a result they decided to combine their efforts to set up their non-profit organization, Ready, Willing, Enable and return to Dominica to work with the disabled population.

In addition to their jobs, much of their time is spent on fundraising and recruiting volunteers in the U.S.  They have been able to return to Dominica during the summer months for the last four years and run a learning camp for disabled children. These children show their appreciation in their beautiful smiles and enthusiasm. In their own country the children do not have the opportunities our American disabled children have in school and with health care. Many of them are kept at home and out of sight. They do not get to enjoy life as the non-disabled do.

Both Edwin and Jennifer are very dedicated to their cause. Their dream has  expanded to include several sites on the island with more than one camp per summer. This was necessary as transportation for the disabled is very limited. It is easier for them to go to the children rather than the children coming to them. This is a huge undertaking, but the reward in seeing the appreciation of the children keeps them going. The volunteers who have gone on this mission have been overwhelmed by the children's loving reaction.

The funds Jennifer and Edwin raise not only go to supporting the summer camps but also to the Dominican Association for Disabled Adults, the ALPHA Center for the education of special needs students and to the Special Olympics of Dominica