March 21 is the date set for the Family Learning Centre to receive a plaque from the US-based Council on Accreditation for Children and Family Services (COA) - the first time an organisation outside of North America has received accreditation in this field.

The Family Learning Centre is also the only organisation in Bermuda to receive such international accreditation.

The plaque itself will be presented at the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute (BUEI) at 3.30 p.m. on Friday by Richard Klarberg, president of the COA and flying in especially for this event. Anyone interested in attending the talk can contact Darlene Symonds at The Family Learning Centre for more information.

Later that evening the occasion will be celebrated with a "Power of Performance" ball. A reception, a five-course dinner, and live entertainment before and after dinner are all planned. Special friend Stedman Graham, champion of the Family Learning Centre and friend of Oprah Winfrey, will also be flying in to attend the fundraising event from Chicago, Illinois.

There will also be a fundraising raffle and a silent auction. With the price of tickets set at $150 per person, ten seats per table, and seating for 350 guests in all, those interested in obtaining tickets should contact Janet Frid at the American International company.

"Achieving a standard of international accreditation is very significant to all of us in the organisation," said Martha Dismont, executive director of the Family Learning Centre. "It is a demonstration of all that is possible to achieve in this community.