SUPPORT FOR THE AQUA FOUNDATION FOR WOMEN
PERENNIAL STRATEGY GROUP ANNOUNCES SUPPORT FOR THE AQUA FOUNDATION FOR WOMEN
Washington, D.C., February 18, 2014 – As the Aqua Foundation for Women celebrates its 10th anniversary, Lamell McMorris, founder and CEO of the D.C. based companies bearing the Perennial name, announces its newest philanthropic effort. After several meetings with Robin Schwartz, the Foundation's executive director, McMorris, a dynamic entrepreneur known for his advocacy of civil and human rights, pledged financial support for the Foundation.
Based in Miami-Dade County, the Aqua Foundation for Women works to raise funding for organizations that help promote lesbian, bisexual, and transgender wellness and equality in South Florida. The Foundation offers grants and scholarships to individuals served by these organizations, and additionally provides assistance through various initiatives. Their work has been recognized by several media outlets including a feature in The Miami Herald published earlier this month. Most recently, the Foundation partnered with local organizations to form the area's first coalition to tackle LGBTQ homelessness in the region.
"I was shocked to hear the numbers. Not only do 40 percent of homeless youth in Miami identify as LGBTQ, but they are sexually victimized at an astonishing rate." McMorris said. "This all too often struggling group faces social stigma and challenges at such a formative age, so the decision to involve Perennial was easy. Their lives are valuable, and their potential is great – Robin Schwartz and the Aqua Foundation for Women will make sure of it."
The Foundation hosted their annual Aqua Alley Awards in February at which time they honored U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, R-Miami, and C.J. Ortuño, past executive director of gay-rights group SAVE Dade, for their inspiration and influence on the LGBTQ community. This May, the Aqua Foundation for Women will host its annual Aqua Girl event which will draw women from all over and will raise money to support the Foundation's efforts. To learn more about the Aqua Foundation's initiatives, please visit their website at www.aquafoundation.org
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