International Youth Day in Harlem: two foundations, one donation drive
On 12 August 2023, FKF volunteers joined the Cedar et Gazelle Foundation to bring essential supplies to an underserved neighbourhood in Harlem.
In a celebration of International Youth Day, the Francis Koroma Foundation and the Cedar et Gazelle Foundation joined hands to make a lasting impact. On a sunny Saturday, 12 August 2023, the two organisations came together for a donation drive in an underserved, Black neighbourhood in Harlem.
The occasion marked an unprecedented collaboration between the two foundations — a cross-section of Francis Koroma Foundation members, volunteers and supporters working alongside Cedar et Gazelle, in a display of unity and shared purpose. The drive was aimed at people who found themselves in vulnerable situations, providing them with essential support and resources.
The day was organised around the Sustainable Development Goals the foundation works towards: alleviating poverty, ending hunger and reducing inequalities. Its significance went far beyond the confines of its physical space — the camaraderie that unfolded during the donation ceremony was a reminder of what collective action makes possible.
Eugenia Rogers, who played an integral role in organising the drive, was among the volunteers who shaped the day. As members of the upcoming generation of changemakers, the foundation's volunteers embraced the opportunity to be part of a tangible, positive transformation — and the appreciation expressed by those they met echoed back through the whole event.