Social Services
Social Services to honor senior women during the month of October
FREEPORT, Grand Bahama, The Bahamas — The month of October has been globally designated as the ‘Month of the Older Person.’ The Department of Social Services in Grand Bahama has organized a number of activities designed to highlight and celebrate older persons in Grand Bahama, with special emphasis on older women. “To accentuate and honor the outstanding older women in our communities on the island of Grand Bahama, the Senior Citizens’ Division has planned a number of exciting events that are sure to make our older persons feel appreciated,” said Brahnae Bannister, Special Projects officer at the Ministry of Social Services and Urban Development. The events and activities include a church service at Pro-Cathedral of Christ the King on Thursday, October 6th; a talk show on matters per...
Social Services holds One-Day Symposium on the Proposed Sexual Offences (Amendment) Bill
NASSAU, The Bahamas — Officials of the Department of Gender and Family Affairs, Ministry of Social Services and Urban Development, hosted a one-day Symposium on the proposed Sexual Offences (Amendment) Bill, at SuperClubs, Breezes, September 15, 2022. In attendance were representatives of the three branches of government — Executive, Legislative and Judicial, and also large number of clergy, civil society, and various community organizations. Minister of Social Services and Urban Development, the Hon. Obadiah H. Wilchcombe was the moderator. Presentations were given by former Magistrate Mrs. Cleopatra Christie of the Bahamas Crisis Centre; Bishop Delton Fernander, President of The Bahamas Christian Council, who spoke on the Biblical Perspective of Marriage; and Sena...
Social Services Ministry – Mapping of resources for implementation of Gender-Based Violence Family Island Coordinated Council
The MOSSUD Department of Gender and Family Affairs in collaboration with Abaco Island Administrators and the Bahamas Crisis Center, July 20-22, 2022 conducted five community meetings in south, central and north Abaco for Abaco Government and non-Government leaders and community advocates to discuss issues related to the safety of survivors of abuse, outreach to perpetrators of abuse to help them become productive citizens, and for the mapping of services and resources for the projected implementation of a Gender-Based Violence Family Island Coordinated Council. It is anticipated that the council will create a multisectoral effective coordinated response for the prevention of violence in the communities, and help to strengthen the relevant institutions.
Huge turn out for launch of Social Services’ Urban Development Summer Camp on Grand Bahama
FREEPORT, Grand Bahama, The Bahamas — Over 150 excited children showed up Monday morning at Pineridge Urban Renewal Center, for the orientation of the 2022 summer camp, which is expected to run for two weeks as of July 19, 2022. The turnout at the orientation in no way reflected the numbers that are expected to eventually turn out for the camp over the next few weeks. Organizers are convinced that once the camp got underway, even more kids would show up to be a part. Deputy Director of Urban Development, Senator Kirkland Russell, who was one of the speakers at the orientation, said that he didn’t want just another regular summer camp, but he wanted to provide a unique camp experience for the children. That uniqueness, he said, can be found in the structure of the summer camp. H...
Social Services to start Disability Registration Drive
FREEPORT, Grand Bahama, The Bahamas – The Ministry of Social Services and Urban Development will on Monday, July 18, begin island-wide registration of those with disabilities, said Brennamae Rolle-Cooper, chief welfare officer at the Department of Social Services in the Disability Affairs Unit, during a press conference on Friday, July 15. “This exercise of the registration drive, which will be island-wide, would allow for an updated data base of persons in Grand Bahama living with a disability to be recorded. Moreover, it would specify the assistances and possible legislations that are needed to further impact in a positive light, individuals living with disability.” The drive, being held in conjunction with the National Commission for Persons Living with Disabilities, will begin on Monda...
Leaders Certification Programme graduates told, ‘by action’ leaders bring and cause change
FREEPORT, Grand Bahama – Minister of Social Services and Urban Development, the Hon. Obie Wilchcombe, told 33 graduates that leaders give and expect nothing in return. Minister Wilchcombe was the keynote speaker at the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture Youth Leaders’ Certification Programme held on Saturday, July 2, in the Royal Palm Room of Grand Lucayan Resort. The Minister said that leadership is by action and not a person’s name or their title. They bring and cause change, walk alone, stand when others sit, and leaders make a difference. The actions of a leader speaker louder than their words. He told the graduates that it is up to them to determine what they do with and the value of their certification. They must reflect on where they are, where they have been and where they are g...
Reception Honours Special Olympians’ Performance at Recent Games
NASSAU, The Bahamas — The Ministry of Social Services and Urban Development and the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities held a Reception on Friday evening, June 24, at SuperClubs Breezes to honour the performance of Bahamian Special Olympians at the recent Special Olympics USA Games 2022 in Orlando, Florida. In attendance were Minister of Social Services and Urban Development the Hon. Obie Wilchcombe, Minister of Education and Technical & Vocational Training the Hon. Glenys Hanna-Martin, and Minister of Transport and Housing the Hon. Jobeth Coleby-Davis. Leading the team into the reception was One Family Junknaoo Group. Minister Obie Wilchcombe gave congratulations on a very splendid and remarkable job done.
