New York Montserrat Organization Turns 100

News Americas, BROOKLYN, NY, Weds. Aug. 6, 2014: A Montserrat Diaspora organization will celebrate its 100th birthday next month with a year-long a series of events to mark the century of service.

The Montserrat Progressive Society (MPS), founded in September 1914, will kick off the year-long celebration with a Black Tie Awards Gala on September 20.Other events to mark the anniversary will run through September 26, 2015.

The MPS was founded a century ago by a group of enterprising Montserratians, led by John L. Francis. From its inception, the founding members recognized the need to ensure the longevity of the society and formed a source group for future members.

After the devastation of Hurricane Hugo (September 16-17, 1989) the Society raised and distributed funds to several organizations and persons on the island and, when Janet Reno, then United States Attorney General, granted Montserratians Temporary Protected Status (TPS), May 1997 (due to the ongoing volcanic activity) MPS was first to provide this information to the public and media.

Today, the Society remains a beneficial and resourceful organization via its website, mpsofny.org, a monthly newsletter and monthly meetings.

Collaborative efforts to benefit the people of Montserrat include the Adopt-A-Family Project, whose purpose is to alleviate the financial plight of families on and off the volcano-ridden island, and is a collaborative effort with the Montserrat Foundation for Charitable Giving, Inc. and the Caribbean Research Center at Medgar Evers College (CUNY). In September 2003, the Montserrat Development and Education Foundation (MonDEF) Inc.was established as a 501(C)(3) tax exempt affiliated corporation to provide scholarships and added financial relief. Educational scholarships are also given to students here in the USA.
Some of the immediate goals of the Society include: increasing membership and membership participation to realize the mission of the Society; providing support to eligible students and community-based organizations; maintaining communication and collaboration with other like-minded organizations; and being a visible and viable force in the Caribbean American community.

For further information, visit www.mpsofny.org, or contact 212-283-3346.