Our Team
TallMan has grown from a small group of friends dabbling in social work to its current group of volunteers all with a personal commitment to the goals of the Foundation. The current committee consists of 20 members divided into four sub-committees. Two members currently make up the working administrative team along with the Director.
TallMan encourages its students to be part of the administration process and currently has three past students in its team. Although TallMan has a strict operational structure all committee members are part of the decision making process.
Committee members were asked to talk briefly about their involvement and commitment to TallMan and shared the following:
"I am interested in the visual and performing arts and therefore in our indigenous cultural development. I see the arts as having the greatest transformative power in our cultural context - as the way to individual and collective freedom. ". Michele Jodhan – Founding Member
"I feel happy to give back to society/my country in an effort to make a difference. My desire is to be part of the solution rather than the problem. I believe in the innate goodness of people and justice for all and am of the firm mindset that we are "our brother's keeper". I consider myself priviliged for this opportunity to work with 'At Risk' youth/ young adults. I am amazed at their resilience in the face of adversity." Gwynneth Bernard, early TallMan member
"I have worked in the financial sector for the past 35+ years, a most enjoyable part of which was devoted to training and developing young adults. All of us in society are responsible in one way or another for the current state of our beloved country and it is the responsibility of each of us to do our part to heal our land and bring our country back to a state of peace and harmony. Where better to start than with our children. I believe there is good in all of us, we just have to look for it and help each other to harness that goodness and use it for the benefit of all. I am my brother's keeper and as much as I reach out and help another, so too I am helped in return. As the older generation we have much to offer the youths and in turn we have much to learn from them; it is like building a bridge that must be crossed from both directions." Gladys Pinard, early TallMan member.
“So many of our youth are misdirected, and it is my belief that as a member of the older generation and a mother, it is our duty to help guide our young people in a positive direction. The TallMan Foundation enables the youth to express their God-given talents and creativity through the Arts” Colleen Camacho, early TallMan member
"I have a strong desire to give to my community ... rather than participating in negative conversations about the status quo, to participate in positive action to effect change. I became involved with TallMan in 2006 through a personal friendship with the founding members. Coming from a creative field, I can fully appreciate how participation in the Arts helps personal growth and provides an outlet for creative energy, as well as a sense of accomplishment and, particularly within the arts, the elation that follows a successful public performance. I believed in this aspect of the program from the beginning. What was unexpected for me was the positive effect of the meshing of differing social strata who come together in participation in TallMan, the volunteers and the students. Ordinarily, their paths may never cross, but through this program their paths converge, and human connections are made. This I believe is the way to harmonious and peaceful living. We have to care about our fellow man, and that's easier to do once you get to know him." Lisa Gittens, early TallMan member
"I firmly believe that we are all part of one body and the body cannot function if all parts are not looked after. My personal experiences of helplessness in the face of adversity and the flip side of this (the abundance of support and love from friends and strangers alike) compels me to reach out to others who may feel there is no hope. It is my fervent wish to see us free once more to enjoy our beautiful country without fear." Nicole Solis
"No one is a product of their environment. We all have a choice as to the type of person we become. Sometimes, however, there are factors beyond our control that strongly influence us towards making bad choices. I believe TallMan is about balancing the playing field. It's about giving young people more reasons as to why to make the right choices in their lives.". Nakeshia Quamina
"I am not sure how and exactly when but I just fell into the net of Tallman. I feel that I still do not spend enough "on the ground" time but am happy to help with fundraising for this wonderful project. I'm a very strong believer that charity should be given without any fanfare. Those who receive know and that is all that matters. Trinidad & Tobago is awash with very needy cases." Patty de la Rosa
"Our country is currently in a state of decay. To stem this, a part of the solution lies within the hands of the youth of our country. The TallMan Foundation focuses on supporting youth in the Gonzales community to become productive members of society by exposing them to The Arts. My passion is the youth and through my support and involvement in this foundation I too can be part of the solution." Juliet Thompson
"I feel very privileged to have been given the opportunity to be of service to our youth. I am of the deep conviction that we all need to give of ourselves in some meaningful way to the youth of T&T. I genuinely believe that our actions can impact young people enough to change the course of their lives and thereby the lives of every citizen of our beautiful island." Morella Santos
"I strongly believe that "reaching out" to the youth of our nation is about creating bridges and making connections - a necessity in our society. I couldn't think of a more meaningful way of accomplishing this mission than through the Arts - a place where my passion, handed down from my family, lies. I am privileged to be a part of the TallMan Foundation as our Mission benefits not only the youth of Gonzales and its environs, but ourselves. According to Martin Luther King, Jr., "Life's most persistent and urgent question is: What are you doing for others?" My sentiment is, "What good are we if we cannot do for others?". Debbie Boos
"I genuinely believe the quality of life in Trinidad and Tobago can be improved if as a country we expect and demand more of our government, more of our communities and more of each other. Being a part of TallMan means being a part of an organization that brings people together, gives opportunities where none existed and allows us to grow and develop as a society." Suzanne Quesnel
"My involvement in TallMan came about somewhat as a coincidence - I had been involved in a tutoring programme based in east Port of Spain and Belmont before where I learned that attention from just one person could make a difference in a young person's life. However, it was evident that our school system doesn't place much emphasis on the creative arts. TallMan allows me to make use of my creative energies and share that experience with those who have never had easy access to the performing and creative arts before. The reward? - getting a smile and a sweaty "bounce’ after dance class." Katy Henderson
