NewAlliance Foundation and Ted Kennedy, Jr. to be Honored at Marrakech's 16th Annual Founders Award Dinner

Founders Award Dinner Coincides with Marrakech's 35th Anniversary

WOODBRIDGE, CT - Marrakech Inc., a non-profit organization that provides a wide range of educational, employment and housing programs and services to children and adults throughout Connecticut, will host its 16th Annual Founders Award Dinner at Fantasia in North Haven, Connecticut on Thursday, April 27, 2006 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tickets are $40.00 per person.

This year's Founders Award honorees are: NewAlliance Foundation, 2006 Corporate Citizenship Award; Ted Kennedy, Jr., 2006 Founders' Community Partner Award; Randy Clarke, Employer of the Year, Clarke's Cleaning; Suzanne N. Jovin, Volunteer of the Year Award; Cornelia Mas, Special Recognition; Diane Cleary and John White for their work with Marrakech consumers and Special Olympics, and Jenna Lilley, Quantum Financial Partners, Inc., for her assistance with the Marrakech Annual Gala.

"This year's Founders Award Dinner celebrates the men and women who are dedicated in furthering the vital programs and services that Marrakech is committed to providing for its consumers," stated Marrakech Executive Director, Frank McCarthy. "Each of the honorees is the very heart and soul of our organization. The Founders Award dinner is our way of saying 'Thank you' for their devotion and hard work."

Serving as Master of Ceremonies of the Founders Award Dinner will be WTNH-TV weatherman, Matt Scott.

To purchase tickets or to purchase advertising space in the Founders Award Dinner program guide, please contact Lindsay Foster at 203- 389-2970, ext. 1060.

For media passes and interviews, please contact Debbie Koke at (914) 536-7557.

About Marrakech:

Marrakech, Inc. is a nonprofit organization that provides a wide range of human services to children & adults throughout Connecticut. Founded in 1971, Marrakech established the first halfway house in Connecticut for women with mental retardation. They have continued developing programs and services which are located throughout the State of Connecticut encompassing support to people with a wide range of disabilities, families with complex needs, youth who are at risk, and people without disabilities who are economically disadvantaged.