By Mike Finney

DOVER — Pastor Cecilia Snorton and the Rev. Shonda Greene are preparing for a long-awaited celebration of success stories achieved through the Boys to Men and Girls Breaking Barriers development programs.

The two dynamic initiatives are part of Women & Children Transformation Ministry International, a nonprofit incorporated in Delaware that seeks to support those in need by providing physical, educational and spiritual support.

The group’s second Awards Recognition & Fundraising Banquet Dinner will take place Sunday at 5:30 at the Correctional Officers Association of Delaware Banquet Hall at 1243 College Park Drive.

Its first fundraising banquet took place prior to the pandemic.

“Dover City Councilmen Andre Boggerty, Roy Sudler Jr., David Anderson and Gerald Rocha Sr. are going to be honored and also the Rev. Rita Mishoe Paige and Elder Bobbie Alston,” said Pastor Snorton, who founded the ministry in 2009.

“We chose them because of their support to the organization and the work that they do in the community. That is the major reason why we are honoring them, because they have seen the value and what needs to be impacted (for) the children. So, they have decided to be part of it, and their support is very encouraging to us to want to continue to do the work.”

Pastor Snorton, formerly of Liberia in West Africa, said the organization offers women and children tutorial services, life skills development, academic programming and social and economic assistance.

“Our vision is to aid women and children, both in the U.S. and abroad, in moving towards the goal of becoming self-sufficient and in building a stable lifestyle to fulfill their life’s purpose,” she said.

A highlight of the fundraiser will be speeches delivered by the Boys to Men King and the Girls Breaking Barriers Queen. Both are students are William Henry Middle School in Dover.

“I want to hear the Queen and King speech from the youth,” the Rev. Greene said. “I want to hear what they have to say because they’ve written their own speeches — and they are actually the guest speakers.

“The children that we are training, the whole program is about (developing) boys to men and (allowing) girls to break barriers. We’re actually training them with elemental skills that will be a part of them for life.”

Pastor Snorton and the Rev. Greene said they are hoping guests can witness their program’s value through the personal experiences of its participants.

“What they didn’t know and what they know now is actually what they’re going to tell the audience, and why they want to be into the program,” Pastor Snorton said. “That will be like a secret to the audience, who will be like, ‘Oh, this is what the children learned, and this is why they want to be part of the program.’”

She added that the banquet will feature an international menu for just about every taste.

“Everyone who is coming there will have something especially for them,” she said.

Tickets to Sunday’s dinner are $50 for adults and $25 for children. Admission is free for kids under 10.

For information, contact Pastor Snorton at 302-241-8615 or Catherine Pritchett at 302-423-9247.

Staff writer Mike Finney can be reached at 302-741-8230 or mfinney@iniusa.org.
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