SEA GRAPE, Grand Bahama - Bahamians were reminded on Sunday that it only takes one person to make a difference and that each of us should desire to be that person.
That challenge came from the Minister for Grand Bahama Dr. Michael Darville as he participated in the commissioning of the Evangelist Lloyd Quant Outreach Community Center at St. David's Methodist Church in Sea Grape, Eight Mile Rock this past Sunday evening.
Both Minister of Tourism Obie Wilchcombe and Darville took time out from their busy schedules to pay tribute to Evangelist Lloyd Quant.
At age 98, Quant is said to be the longest-serving preacher in the Methodist Church in The Bahamas and the Caribbean, having served the church and the community of West Grand Bahama, in particular, for the past 80 years.
Addressing the gathering at the commissioning ceremony, Darville pointed out that it is the government's mission to wipe every tear from every eye by providing support and assistance for the most vulnerable members of society: children, the elderly, persons with disabilities, the poor and families requiring social and financial support.
"Our vision is to see a country where all citizens are economically empowered to provide for themselves and their families and have equal opportunities to access services that will enhance the basic quality of life for all," he said.
"Despite the efforts of the hard-working employees in the Department of Social Services and Urban Renewal 2.0, we realize that the government cannot do it alone. As a team, together, everyone achieves more and through the collaborative and synergistic efforts of public/private partnerships, we know that we can and will accomplish our goals," Dr. Darville stated.
He added that it is his belief that those who take part in philanthropic activities must have a strong desire to see poverty, and the crime and general social decay that accompanies it, eradicated.
"Therefore, I applaud the supporters and contributors of this outreach center, who have invested their time, finances and other resources, to bring this project to fruition," Dr. Darville said.
He went on to acknowledge 700 Partners, a non-profit organization headed by Ginger Moxey, president and CEO of Immerse Bahamas, for listing the Evangelist Lloyd Quant Community Outreach Center as one of the worthy projects that require community support.
"This organization, which fuses the efforts of the government of The Bahamas, global and civic organizations, corporate Bahamas, religious groups and people from all walks of life, in the spirit of culture immersion, philanthropy and social responsibility, is dedicated to reaching those that are in need and restoring the infrastructure that creates the environment for better communities, hence their partnership with this community outreach center," Dr. Darville informed.
Continuing, he noted that it was his understanding that the center housed a feeding facility, which served breakfast twice weekly to more than 100 children.
"While this is a step in the right direction, they have so much more they would like to accomplish by expanding their facility to include a wellness center, an afterschool program and offer special classes in areas such as adult literacy, karate and sewing programs, just to name a few.
"I would like to take this opportunity to encourage the businesses and residents of West Grand Bahama, in particular, to render assistance to this center as it seeks to expand its operation.
"I would also like to encourage Pastor Kenneth Lewis, the parishioners of St. David's Methodist Church and the outreach center managers to continue to partner with the Department of Social Services and Urban Renewal 2.0 in the execution of your daily responsibilities and to remember that we are only as strong as the weakest among us," the minister for Grand Bahama stressed.
He added that the greatest gift of any leader is his or her ability to connect with, inspire and create opportunities for the youth, the poor and the disenfranchised.
"It is my sincere hope, therefore, that each of you will leave this service empowered with the belief that it only takes one person to make a difference, and a desire to be that person," he said.

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