History

Marilyn James, Founder and CEO, launched Children & Charity International after a successful 5-year pilot project with the Science and Engineering Center (SEC), University of the District of Columbia. Mrs. James realized there was a need to support students and caregivers of the majority minority students’ population that participated in the pre-college programs at the SEC.  She visited several local schools and was amazed by the warmth and enthusiasm of the students and teachers, to promote interest in the math, science and technology fields. Children & Charity International quickly collaborated with the Department of Health, Family Counseling, Department of Education and other community organizations to provide healthcare workshops and seminars; computer training; resources for improving children’s performance in school and on Standardized Tests and Development and Leadership Conferences.

Driven to help people affected by terror, violence, starvation and horror, Mrs. James, her staff and host of volunteers have built a global team to work with rural villages to build sustainable solutions to their educational basic need challenges. Marilyn has woven proven corporate business practices gained at a Military Council with her inspiring vision to provide educational access to children in the USA and developing world. The Charity uses:    

• Scalable, measured, sustainable results
• Low-overhead, allowing maximum investment in educational infrastructure
• Community ownership and sustainability of projects
• Strong local staff and partnerships creating culturally relevant programs

Children & Charity International began working in the Greater Washington DC area in 1998 and has expanded to communities in Trinidad(2002); Nairobi Kenya-Project 1 (2002); Port-au Prince Haiti (2003);  Nigeria (2005); Capetown and Tonkoli, Sierra Leone (2005); Eldoret  Kenya-Project 2 (2005); Accra, Ghana (2006); Liberia (2007); Uganda(2007).

• Best In America - Independent Charities of America.
• 2010, 2009 Best of Washington Award - United States Commerce Association (USCA).
• 2007 Challenge Coin for Excellence, Courageous Spirit and Compassionate Service - United States Army, Chief of Chaplains.
• 2005 NASA SEMAA Leadership Award - NASA Science, Engineering, Mathematics and Aerospace Academy.

CAC is governed by an Executive Board of 9 members and a Parents Board of 27 members.