Caribbean American Cultural Group, Inc.

CACG, a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Organization

Welcome to CACG

In 2024, we are celebrating the 40th anniversary of the organization's existence, and we are delighted you are visiting our website to learn more about who we are and what we do.

As you can see from our Calendar of Events, CACG is a vibrant, dynamic organization dedicated to serving the residents of the Treasure Coast by providing various civic, social and philanthropic opportunities.

We invite you to join us in our endeavors, and will welcome your participation as a member if you want to become more fully involved.

Dawn Bloomfield

President

About

A Group with a Common Passion

CACG is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization located and operating in Port Saint Lucie since 1984. We are governed by a set of bylaws, rules and regulations to which members are held accountable. A Board of Directors is elected every two years. There are thirteen standing committees to which chairpersons are appointed every two years. The Board of Directors and Committee Chairs meet on the second Tuesday of each month, and general membership meetings are held on the third Wednesday of each month. We currently have 210 members.

Mission and Objectives

CACG’s mission has always been to promote and preserve Caribbean culture, provide educational opportunities, and contribute to the social and economic development of the community. The organization focuses on several key objectives:

Cultural Preservation: Through events, workshops, and performances, CACG showcases the rich cultural heritage of the Caribbean, ensuring that traditions are passed down to future generations.
Education and Scholarships: CACG is committed to supporting education within the community. The organization provides scholarships to deserving high school seniors heading to college, helping to alleviate the financial burden of higher education.
Community Service: CACG actively engages in philanthropic activities, including distributing school supplies to children, providing food baskets to families in need, and supporting other charitable causes within the community.

VISION STATEMENT

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CACG prides itself as an innovative cultural organization, highlighting the welcoming nature and rich history of the island nations of the Caribbean through civic involvement, community events, philanthropic projects, and an outstanding scholarship program honoring local students. CACG is located primarily in Port St. Lucie but carries their message of peace and community all along the Treasure Coast where people of Caribbean descent and our neighbors can find a welcoming social and cultural outlet. All are welcome here!

IMPACT STATEMENT

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Our strength is our commitment to being an active, participatory member of our community. Each year, we host various events, including an ecumenical service to honor the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. , various social dances, festivals, games, social issue forums, art/culture education events, financial literacy, computer classes, and free tax preparation for low to moderate income families within the community.
Each year we award several scholarships to local high school graduates. Toys are given to children at Christmas time during a party that is held specifically for them, and backpacks filled with school supplies are distributed in August to students returning to school. Thanksgiving and Christmas food baskets are prepared and distributed to seniors and needy families in the community.
CACG also provides monetary donations to charitable causes that impact our community, including Red Cross hurricane relief efforts, Hospice, and Habitat for Humanity.

Community Donors and Supporters

Thank you for your support.

City skyline

Photo By: John Doe

Scholarships

MLK Scholarship

CACG's Martin Luther King Jr. award the MLK Scholarships Memorial Service Committee.

This committee was created in 2020 with the mission of organizing an annual church service to be held on MLK Day, memorializing the life and the work of the late Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

The services are funded by annual internal CACG fund-raisers: Members' Pledges, A Fish Fry, a High Tea with Fashion Show and Silent Auction, and the free-will offering at the service. The first scholarship for $500 was awarded in 2013. The value of the scholarships has increased over the years, and in 2018 and 2019, the MLK Service Committee awarded three scholarships for $1,500 each both years.

Due to the impact of COVID-19, the committee scaled back in 2020, awarding three scholarships for $1000 each.
Thelma Lake Scholarship

The Thelma Lake Scholarship is awarded in memory of Mrs. Thelma Lake, who devoted several years of service to CACG, fulfilling various leadership roles at different points during her time as a member: Assistant Secretary, Secretary, Co-Chair of the entertainment Committee, Chair of the Independence Service Committee, and Chair of the Public Relations Committee. In addition, she served as a member of the following committees: Fall Ball and MLK/Scholarship.
In her professional career, Mrs. Lake worked as a Nurse Practitioner, and each year her scholarship is awarded to a student planning to pursue a career in nursing.
Keith Green Scholarship

The Keith Green Scholarship Foundation Inc. is "Love in Action".
Mrs. Polly Green recognized the need in her community for young people's access to
scholarships that could help them reach their full potential. She created the foundation and
named it after her dearly departed husband, Keith Green. He was a hardworking man who
understood the importance of education. He was born with humble beginnings in a remote area
of Jamaica, the youngest of eight children. He enjoyed hard work and learning new things. He
learned how to weld and studied to become a master plumber. He also began investing in real
estate and owned several properties throughout the country.
In the spirit of empowerment through education, the foundation has partnered with The
Caribbean American Cultural Group to assist the young people of St. Lucie County, regardless of
their ability, with scholarships towards a better future. The Keith Green Scholarship Foundation
aspires to assist students who want to empower themselves.
CACG Scholarship
Each year, CACG awards scholarships of at least $1000 each to deserving high school seniors heading off to college. These students are awarded scholarships based on the following criteria:
- Academic performance
- Community service
- Financial need
- And a fully completed application.
The application form and details about applying are available in the booklet published each fall by the St. Lucie County Education Foundation.