Elite Gymnast Ali Coles Joins 1st Choice Family Services Team for Trinidad School Outreach

Gymnast and 1st Choice Family Services brand ambassador Ali Coles helped deliver cooling fans to three heat-affected primary schools in Trinidad.

COLUMBUS, OH, UNITED STATES, September 12, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Ali Coles, a premier Level 10 competitive gymnast training on the elite track in the United States, has teamed up with 1st Choice Family Services in her role as brand ambassador for a major international community outreach initiative in Trinidad. Working alongside the 1st Choice team and Officer Felix Persad of the Community-Oriented Policing Section, Coles helped donate cooling fans to three local primary schools — Sangre Grande Government Primary School, North Oropouche Government Primary School, and North Oropouche RC School — to provide cooler, safer learning environments for local children.

The outreach targets the humid, high-temperature classrooms that frequently challenge a student's ability to focus and learn. By stepping in to supply reliable climate relief, the 1st Choice team and Coles are working together to create comfortable, productive spaces where teachers and young learners can thrive.

The donation was carried out as a joint community engagement conducted by officers of the Sangre Grande Police Station on September 10. The engagement was coordinated by Senior Superintendent Etienne and Sergeant Alfred and supervised by Acting Sergeant Hanooman, with Woman Sergeant Walters of the Gender-Based Violence Unit, Officer Felix Persad of the Community-Oriented Policing Section, and Police Constables Boodram and Rampartap. A veteran of the Community-Oriented Policing Section, Officer Persad is widely regarded as a national hero for his years of work building trust between the police service and the communities of east Trinidad.

"This partnership reflects what community policing is about — meeting the real needs of the people we serve," said Officer Persad. "When our officers and organizations like 1st Choice Family Services come together, our schools and our children feel the benefit directly."

"Training at an elite level in the U.S. has taught me that reaching your goals requires an intense amount of focus, dedication and the right environment," said Ali Coles. "But it is incredibly hard for kids to focus on their education when they are struggling just to stay cool in a hot classroom. I wanted to use my platform as a brand ambassador to support other kids just like me, showing them that their comfort and their education matter. Giving back in this way is deeply important to me, and I am so grateful to be part of the 1st Choice Family Services team backing this mission."

Principals Ms. Wattley, Ms. Villafana, and Mr. McClean received the fans on behalf of their schools. "We are truly grateful for this donation," said Ms. Wattley, principal of Sangre Grande Government Primary School. "The heat in our classrooms affects how well the children can concentrate, and these fans will make a real difference to their comfort and their learning."

On the ground, the donation was led by the 1st Choice Family Services management team, including Aonist Coles and Shastri Coles, and coordinated locally by Trinidad representative Rishi Ramrattan, with support from Kailash Ramrattan, Ramesh Ramrattan, and Ryan Ramrattan. Representatives and educators from the Sangre Grande and North Oropouche communities expressed gratitude for the timely donation, commending the organization's staff, volunteers, and ambassador for their hands-on dedication to delivering relief directly to the classrooms where it is needed most.

As an international peer role model, Coles' work with 1st Choice Family Services highlights a joint commitment to youth empowerment and educational equity. Beyond its extensive direct-care and community-support programs in Ohio, the agency maintains specialized international outreach networks spanning Trinidad and Tobago, the Philippines, South Africa, and Bangladesh.

Photographs from the event were provided by Wayne W. Boodoo of Wayne Boodoo Connections (W.B. Connections), operating as Exposure Media Inc.

About Ali Coles

Ali Coles is an elite-track Level 10 competitive gymnast (class of 2029). A national-level standout, Coles captured the Ohio State Vault Championship and went on to claim a silver medal on the balance beam at the Women's Development Program National Championships. She serves as a brand ambassador for 1st Choice Family Services. Follow her journey on her Official Linktree Portfolio.

About 1st Choice Family Services

1st Choice Family Services is a community-focused agency providing direct support professional care, vocational training, and family wellness services across Ohio, while managing global community outreach programs to enrich the lives of youth and families worldwide.

Rishi Ramrattan
1st Choice Family Services
info@1stcfs.org
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