 Meet Ivy, a bright and inquisitive 6th grader in her first year in the GEMS program. Despite being new, she has fully embraced the program’s values, demonstrating an eagerness to learn, engage, and grow. Her journey is one of curiosity, self-reflection, and the courage to seek deeper understanding, even in the face of challenges.
0 Comments
 Meet Gabriela, a remarkable 6th-grade student who has embarked on a transformative journey of personal growth and empowerment. Her story is a testament to the incredible resilience and strength of character that can be found in young minds when given the opportunity to shine.
Season’s Greetings and Happy Holidays! BOARD OF DIRECTORS
I am honored and grateful for the opportunity to serve as the next Executive Director for Cherish Our Children (COCI), an organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for disadvantaged at-risk youth and families, especially those that have an incarcerated parent or loved one. As we further embark on our journey of assisting our clients to deal with the many issues associated with their challenges, we are looking forward to working with respective supporters and collaborators, while continually striving to deliver the highest quality of services during the process. We take pride in knowing that our programs and services provide a safe space and platform for our youth to be seen, heard, and accepted without the fear of being judged or rejected by their peers! During my career’s journey and working in a broad range of non-profit industries involving the criminal justice system, at-risk youth, disadvantaged families, and others, I’ve seen and experienced the negative consequences of under-educational attainment, broken homes and what impeded social and emotional development can have on students and families during very critical stages in their lives. As a result of these experiences, among others, I invite your support and ideas for making our organization become the best it can be. With your support we can only get better! In closing, I would be remiss if didn’t extend my gratitude to our Founder, Juli Hall, for her vision and the many great things that she has done for improving humanity both globally and nationally. Lastly, I also extend special appreciation to Chairman, Rob Wisner, Arlene Levy, our Board of Directors, and staff for their many efforts and contributions for managing the organization during the time of leadership transition. To you and your family, we wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Dwayne Bennett Executive Director
Cherish Our Children, Inc (COCI) is pleased to announce Gerald “Dwayne” Bennett as the organization's new Executive Director. Dwayne brings more than 25 years of knowledge in the non-profit and governmental sectors with extensive experience in strategic fundraising, board governance, marketing, management, counseling, and work with incarcerated individuals.
Prior to joining COCI, Dwayne served as the Co-Executive/Development Director for Justice for All Immigrants, a non-profit immigration law firm assisting clients seeking legal pathways for becoming American citizens. Other previous roles include development and executive director capacities for Harris County Child Protective Services (CPS), Greater East End Management District, Texas Defender Service, the United Way of Odessa, TX, and the Boys and Girls Club of Victoria, TX. Throughout his roles in development and Executive Director capacities, Dwayne has raised several million dollars to support the causes of each respective organization. Most notably, during his tenure with the Greater East End Management District, Dwayne successfully raised millions of dollars targeting Houston’s East End and the community’s need for revitalization efforts to further enhance safety, walking and bike trails, and pedestrian oriented transit infrastructure. Dwayne brings a wealth of experience, a passion for serving his community, and an ability to connect with students, and with COCI’s mission. Dwayne is especially passionate about helping at-risk youth realize and achieve their full potential. COCI looks forward to welcoming Dwayne as the Executive Director and continuing organizational efforts to create sustainable solutions for children of incarcerated parents. To learn more about COCI, visit: www.cherishourchildren.org. COCI is hiring an instructor for our GEMS—Gaining Empowerment in Middle School—program in Houston, Texas. Could you be that person? GEMS is an innovative program that works with Houston-area middle school students who have had a parent in prison. In the fall, we are expanding into two new schools, and we need an imaginative, passionate instructor. Fluency in Spanish is a must. Job Summary: The GEMS instructor will be responsible for successfully launching and delivering GEMS classes in two middle schools. This will involve providing classroom instruction, communicating with families, and coordinating volunteers/role models for the GEMS program. Interpersonal skills to build strong relationships with school partners and fluency in Spanish are requirements for this position. The instructor will be trained on the GEMS program and lessons and coached by the GEMS manager. Click for a full description and email to apply. 
Read what the Houston Chronicle wrote about Cherish Our Children Inc’s GEMS program for middle school students experiencing parental incarceration. 
On Wednesday night, June 16th, we hold our first live fundraising event since the pandemic! Join co-chairs, Amber Elliott, Stephanie and Ryan Fleck, and Emily and Tug Hanley on Wednesday, June 16, 2021, for an intimate three-course dinner at B&B Butchers & Restaurant's cozy rooftop patio benefiting COCI's new GEMS program. We are thrilled to welcome Commissioner Adrian Garcia as the night's keynote speaker.
Click For Details HBJ Op-Ed: Right Now We Are In The Pandemic Storm. Who Will Repair The Damage To Our Students?6/7/2021   Click the arrow to download a copy of the document.
|
Archives
March 2025
Categories |
|||||||||
RSS Feed
About |
Events |
Contact |
Social Media |
Address448 W. 19th St., Box 647
Houston, Texas 77008 |
COCIA 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Tax ID # 76-0393617
|
Call Us713.836.9147
|
Email Us |
Write Us |