Rising Through Resilience

The Bahamas Resilience Center (BRC) continues to serve as a pillar of hope, healing, and community renewal on Grand Bahama. As we move from crisis response toward long-term wellness and empowerment, our mission remains focused on providing safe spaces where individuals and families can connect, learn, and rebuild. This quarter, we deepened our reach through consistent programming, intergenerational initiatives, and meaningful investments in personal and community well-being.

Throughout the reporting period, the Center hosted a diverse lineup of programs serving children, teens, adults, and families. Young participants enjoyed structured activities including Chess Club, Arts and Crafts, Etiquette Classes, Reading Support, Painting Sessions, Games Club, and our cherished “ Nanna Sheppard's Bedtime Stories”./. In November, we added a new children’s Painting Workshop designed to build creativity, confidence, and emotional expression through guided art instruction. Adults and intergenerational groups also benefited from opportunities to connect through Knitting and Crocheting, Ballroom Dancing, Adult Chess, and our Sister Circle women’s wellness sessions, which remain a core space for emotional support and community connection.

August marked the fifth year of our Back 2 Basics summer camp, an immersive program created to reduce summer learning loss and help students prepare academically for the school year. Campers enjoyed a lively closeout week filled with “Markers and Mocktails,” face painting, music, games, and friendly competitions. Behind the fun was a strong academic focus. Students strengthened their skills in grammar, math, writing, reading comprehension, and parts of speech. Our dedicated teachers brought creativity, patience, and passion to each lesson, making learning both meaningful and enjoyable.

In September, we partnered with the Grand Bahama Children’s Home to celebrate the completion of a series of self-awareness and emotional regulation sessions with its residents. A joyful afternoon of pizza, drinks, and structured outdoor play reinforced the importance of fun, connection, and community support in a child’s healing journey. That same month, the Sister Circle Breakfast Club led by Dr. Gladys Sawyer continued providing women with a safe and nurturing environment to share, learn, and build resilience together.

Our commitment to youth development remained strong through the completion of a six-week etiquette training series facilitated by Deborah Pratt. The young ladies demonstrated remarkable growth in confidence, poise, and personal presentation, and on November 22nd they had their wrap-up session at Zorbas Restaurant where they had an opportunity to put these new skills into practice. Additionally, on September 20, the Center proudly joined the Ministry of Tourism for the Grand Bahama International Coastal Cleanup, contributing to environmental stewardship and healthier coastlines. We are deeply grateful to the volunteers whose efforts made this community initiative a success.

We also expanded our support for economic empowerment and personal branding. On September 20, photographer Jemonique Barnabie generously returned to the Center to offer free professional headshots, helping individuals enhance their job readiness, online profiles, and overall confidence as they pursue new opportunities. Initiatives like these support both personal dignity and long-term self-sufficiency.

As we close another impactful quarter, the Bahamas Resilience Center remains committed to delivering high-quality programs that nurture emotional wellness, academic success, creative expression, and community strength. None of this work would be possible without the generosity of supporters like you. Thank you for helping Grand Bahama rise through resilience. Together, we are strengthening families, building confidence, and shaping a more hopeful future.