Lawrenceville CEO Funds Children's Center in Colombia

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA — The CEO of a Lawrenceville-based software firm has bankrolled the building of a children's center in Colombia expected to benefit nearly 12,000 kids.

Dave Cormack, president and CEO of Brightree, and his family were lead donors in the construction of the new Cormack Family Community Center and Youth Center in Cartagena, Colombia.

The Cormack family has been involved with Children International, a nonprofit child sponsorship organization, since 2013. The charity has about 70 children's centers around the world.

"We love sponsoring children below the poverty line, but we felt the need to do more," Cormack said in a news release. “After having the opportunity to visit other Children International community centers, my family and I recognized the importance of these safe spaces, including medical and dental clinics, and educational support, and how much they mean to the children and the families who benefit from them.

"We knew we wanted to help fund a center so that more kids have the opportunity to utilize CI’s services."

The Cormack family attended an inauguration event for the new center on June 23.

The center includes the Brightree Youth Computer Center, where teens can do homework, use the internet and learn skills such as English.

It also houses medical and dental clinics, a pharmacy, a library and several meeting spaces.

The youth center has an outdoor, multi-sport court, an art studio and other safe, multi-use spaces, the news release said.

Children International has been working in Colombia for more than 25 years to help kids break the cycle of poverty.

"The community centers are unique facilities that enable Children International to reach its goal of eradicating poverty from children’s lives," said Susana Eshleman, Children International’s president and CEO, in the release. "We are so thankful for generous donors like the Cormack family who recognize the importance of these safe and edifying spaces and all of the benefits that they can provide for the impoverished children and youth we serve."

Photo courtesy Children International