A
D
His Story lives on forever
ALBERT DUNN
1949-2021
Memorial
Fund
ABOUT US
History
Guided by the idea and principles of acts of kindness, giving back, and helping others, Marie Dunn founded the Albert Dunn Memorial Fund Inc. after the death of her Father- Albert Dunn, on October 6, 2021. George Eliot once said, "Our dead is never dead to us until we have forgotten them. Albert's story lives on forever through this charitable organisation. The Certificate of Incorporation for Albert Dunn Memorial Fund was filed with the Department of State in New York City on December 17, 2021. The Board of Directors includes five dynamic, educated, and industrious women: Chantal Ho-Shing, Krystal Cox, Dayshanna Monroe, Marlene Mrakovcic, and Marie Dunn, who knew and loved Albert. The board and volunteers are committed to sustaining and developing the AD Memorial Fund. On June 23, 2022, the Albert Dunn Memorial Fund Inc. sponsored and proudly presented three awards to the Golden Grove All-Age School in St. Ann Jamaica to the grade six Teacher- Mrs. Tamara Johnson, for her exemplary and dedicated service, and two students for their academic performance and leadership: Micah-Lee Palmer and Ranoi Thoms.
AD Memorial Fund Inc. will make a difference in Jamaica's youths' lives by creating financial opportunities for those from disadvantaged backgrounds. The AD Memorial Fund Inc depends on generous donations of time and money from family, friends, and the general public to support the youths' awards and monetary scholarships. We hope that you will continue to feel inspired by our work and get involved.
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Vision
We are dedicated to providing acts of kindness
for the betterment of youths and adults.
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Mission
To ensure everyone we encounter
is treated fairly with compassion,
dignity and respect.
Core Values
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Treat others with respect and dignity
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Honor diversity and inclusivity
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Value each day
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Be kind and compassionate
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Smile and exude positivity always
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Strength in vulnerability
Philosophy- Live for today,
yesterday is gone, tomorrow is maybe
STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS
Marie Dunn, MSW, SIFI, Notary Public
President & Executive Director
Marie Dunn continues to use her personal as well as her career experiences as a Social Worker to help families overcome trauma as well as the stress of being separated from their children. Currently a Program Director with a Non-profit Child Welfare Organization supporting organizational and family interventions. By focusing on diversity–related consulting, coaching and training; team building and conflict resolution; strengths-based clinical assessment and programming for under-served communities; planning and implementation of holistic health and wellness initiatives for families and staff; and organizational needs assessment and change management.
In 2013, Marie was featured in the Journal Newspaper for her contribution as a Program Coordinator for a re-entry program for formerly incarcerated individuals at the Bronxville Reformed Church through a partnership program with the Ossining Presbyterian Church. Marie was also the recipient of the President’s Award, for her outstanding and organizational leadership. Most recently the Pillar Award for her incredible role in empowering staff to maintain a positive attitude as well as her unconditional support in giving of herself relentless during the height of the COVID Pandemic.
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Marie is the Founder and CEO of “Bold Flamingo Publishing” created in 2018. Marie is determined to give back to her community and as such is the creator and host of a forum called “The BlackXChange Korner” where she highlights black entrepreneurs, as well as other creatives. The goal is to connect folks while accentuating the stories behind their glories!
Marie is the President and Founder of the Albert Dunn Memorial Fund which was created to memorialize the death of her father. This fund is geared at providing scholarships for youths seeking to further their education in culinary arts at York Castle, St. Hilda’s and Ferncourt High School in Jamaica West Indies.
Marie volunteers for a Non-Profit Organization: Reaching Out to Children with Kindness (ROC), serving in the capacity as secretary as well as a board member. Marie also volunteered with the Focus Forward Program teaching life skills class to folks incarcerated at the Manhattan Detention Center.
Marie obtained her Master’s Degree in Social Work from Fordham University. She holds a Bachelors in English Literature from Mercy College. An Associate degree in Paralegal Studies from Westchester Community College. Marie is an avid writer and was published in the News Letter by New York City’s Champions of Solutions Based Casework as well as Youth Today.org. Marie is also SIFI (Seminar Training in Field Instruction) certified providing supervision to masters social work students from Columbia University, Fordham University and Hunter College. Marie is a trained Parenting Journey facilitator. She is a Notary Public in New York State.
Marie takes pleasure being of service to others.
Chantal Ho-Shing
Director
Chantal Ho-Shing takes pleasure in ensuring that the well-being of others she encounters are being met by lifting their voice through advocacy as well as provide concrete support to meet their unmet needs. Chantal holds bachelor's degree in Psychology and a Minor in Early Childhood Education. She currently works with the Mental Health Population by aiding with housing as well as linking clients with additional services. She is committed to this memorial fund because of the sentimental value it holds of the loving memory of Albert Dunn known to her as (Pops). Chantal recalls that “Pops had a smile that could melt your heart and an aura that made you feel welcomed”. As such establishing a scholarship in his honor will offer youths from his native country an opportunity to further their education. In addition, this foundation will encourage and help to uplift individuals that may be less fortunate. Chantal is dedicated to giving hope to folks in need of help while reminding them that they too deserve to be educated and someday become successful. She believes that this foundation is a conduit to provide support and hope to youths and adults who may feel discouraged.
Krystal Cox
Director /Secretary
Krystal Cox is of Jamaican heritage she takes pleasure
in being of service to others. She graduated from the
University of Albany with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology
and Criminal Justice. She is currently a program director
working with the mental health population. Krystal believes
that education opens doors for opportunities which leads
to one living a more meaningful life. Krystal was blessed to
have known Albert Dunn affectionately known to her as
“Pops” and he was one of her biggest cheerleaders
encouraging her to succeed. “Pops ensured that I was well
fed while I studied”. It is indeed a honor to be able to be
a part of this incredible initiative paving the road for
success for our youths the future men and women
of tomorrow.
Marlene Mrakovcic
Director
Marlene Mrakovcic is honored to have been invited to serve on the board of the Albert Dunn Memorial Fund, which intends to support young people with scholarships to further their education. Education has played an important role throughout Marlene’s entire life and she believes that every person should have access to affordable quality education.
Marlene was born in Switzerland where her parents had immigrated to from former Yugoslavia. From an early age is was evident that her parents weren’t welcomed by everyone in their new country, but thanks to their education (both had studied dentistry), they were able to build a new life for themselves and their two children. Marlene went on to study Sociology, History and Political Science and received her Master’s Degree from the University of Zurich a few months before she immigrated to New York City.
While she didn’t experience much hostility due to her accent in an immigrant town like New York, she still needed to reinvent herself in a new culture and a language that wasn’t hers. She found work as a researcher in New York’s Advertising and Communications industry where she soon became a Director of Research and later worked with Fortune 500 clients.
After 15 years in Advertising Marlene decided to explore new paths. She took courses at the New School and soon founded her own company, which allowed her to work as an independent User Researcher across for various industries, such as healthcare, entertainment, publishing and finance. Her last client, FactSet Research, hired her for a full-time position.
During that same time Marlene volunteered with several non-profit organization that seek to support social justice for all New Yorkers. Among those organization were Court Watch NYC, an organization that trains volunteers to monitor court proceedings and hold court actors accountable for ending injustices in the criminal legal systems. Marlene has also been volunteering for over 5 years with Viva Uptown, an organization that pairs community youth with adult mentors, and she co-facilitated with Marie Dunn two 12-week Focus Forward Project life skills workshops at the Metropolitan Correction Center in Downtown Manhattan. A lack of affordable education and the ensuing lack of opportunity were recurring themes in the challenges these organizations seek to address. Having had the good fortune of receiving an affordable education made all the difference to Marlene’s life and she wants for others to have that same opportunity.
Dayshanna Monroe, BS
Director
Born and raised in the United States of America.
Dayshanna was not spared from setbacks as well as road blocks
that threatened her path to creating a successful life.
Dayshanna is a graduate from Berkeley College with
a Bachelor of Science that created opportunities for her
to be of service to the vulnerable. She believes that she
is walking in her purpose by being the voice for the voiceless. Dayshanna has a passion for advocacy and social change.
She is humble and appreciative to be a board member for this incredible foundation that will memorialize Albert Dunn
affectionately known to her as “Papa Dunn”