The Bahamas Department of Correctional Services launched the Grow Your Child Programme on August 31, 2023, at the Female Correctional Facility for female residents, under the theme, “Separated not Disconnected, Reunifying Families.” 

On Saturday, September 16, 2023, a session of the Grow Your Child Programme was held for the residents.  Dr. Felicia Archer was the Guest Speaker; and residents received backpacks, donated by the F.O.A.M. (Families Of All Murder Victims) organization, and other items for the children.  F.O.A.M. President Khandi Gibson also took part in the event. 

7-year-old Naevia Burrows is a small child with the heart of a giant – the 3rd grader has been saving her school lunch money for nearly a year, donating every month to the Bahamas Feeding Network so other children won’t go hungry.

She began wanting to help when she saw the line outside its headquarters on Fox Hill Road on a food distribution day.

“We were driving by on our way to school at St. Anne’s when Naevia asked me, ‘Mom, why are all those people standing in that long line?’ I explained they were at the Bahamas Feeding Network waiting to get food,” said Nakeisha Burrows.

“Do you mean they do not have food for dinner?” the child asked. Her mom said that’s right.

“What can I do?” Naevia wanted to know. “If I save my money, I can give it to the people who need it. I don’t want people to go hungry.”

In a family where giving back to community is a standard practice and a topic of nightly conversation, little did Naevia realize that her dad, Carrington Burrows, had been volunteering at the feeding network’s distribution centre during COVID.

When school reopened following the pandemic, the young girl, then in Grade 2, and with Mom’s help, opted to bring lunch from home four days a week, putting aside the dollars she would have spent, and presenting the savings, $60 a month, to BFN. She did allow herself the treat of pizza Fridays. 

But the money she saved and donated was enough to help fill grocery bags and boxes to support two families. Now that she is in third grade, her parents agreed to add to the monthly donation to cover enough groceries for three families. Next year, Mrs. Burrows said, they will up it to four, matching each grade number with the number of families they will embrace through the non-government organization that has provided food for millions of meals since it opened its doors in 2013.

BFN distributes groceries and coupons through a network of nearly 100 churches and feeding centres in Nassau, Andros, Eleuthera and Abaco.   

“I am grateful every day for the food on my table,” said Naevia. “I say a prayer and blessing and I don’t want other families to be hungry.” To encourage classmates to give, she had a special t-shirt made asking others to join her.

Says her mom, “She’s always been a giver from the heart. She’s a very special little girl.”

The name, Naevia, comes from warrior of Spartacus who helped to free the slaves.   

7-year-old Naevia Burrows is a small child with the heart of a giant – the 3rd grader has been saving her school lunch money for nearly a year, donating every month to the Bahamas Feeding Network so other children won’t go hungry. She began wanting to help when she saw the line outside its headquarters on Fox Hill Road on a food distribution day. “We were driving by on our way to school at St. Anne’s when Naevia asked me, ‘Mom, why are all those people standing in that long line?’ I explained they were at the Bahamas Feeding Network waiting to get food,” said Nakeisha Burrows. “Do you mean they do not have food for dinner?” the child asked. Her mom said that’s right. “What can I do?” Naevia wanted to know. “If I save my money, I can give it to the people who need it. I don’t want people to go hungry.” In a family where giving back to community is a standard practice and a topic of nightly conversation, little did Naevia realize that her dad, Carrington Burrows, had been volunteering at the feeding network’s distribution centre during COVID. When school reopened following the pandemic, the young girl, then in Grade 2, and with Mom’s help, opted to bring lunch from home four days a week, putting aside the dollars she would have spent, and presenting the savings, $60 a month, to BFN. She did allow herself the treat of pizza Fridays.   But the money she saved and donated was enough to help fill grocery bags and boxes to support two families. Now that she is in third grade, her parents agreed to add to the monthly donation to cover enough groceries for three families. Next year, Mrs. Burrows said, they will up it to four, matching each grade number with the number of families they will embrace through the non-government organization that has provided food for millions of meals since it opened its doors in 2013. BFN distributes groceries and coupons through a network of nearly 100 churches and feeding centres in Nassau, Andros, Eleuthera and Abaco.     “I am grateful every day for the food on my table,” said Naevia. “I say a prayer and blessing and I don’t want other families to be hungry.” To encourage classmates to give, she had a special t-shirt made asking others to join her. Says her mom, “She’s always been a giver from the heart. She’s a very special little girl.” The name, Naevia, comes from warrior of Spartacus who helped to free the slaves.   

The action plans for Character Day Bahamas 2023 and submissions for Hidden Heroes by September 30, 2023, are on the way for educators, guidance counsellors, citizens, and corporate Bahamas. The program is in its eighth year and focuses on character strengths, and the goodness of people.

Explaining how to identify a "hidden hero," program coordinator Charlene Carey advises to "Look for people who love their community and country, a helper who works tirelessly to serve others without seeking recognition or accolades. A person who continues to thrive despite life’s challenges."

The Character Day program also focuses on improving the work and learning environments for others. At the recent corporate luncheon at the Balmoral Club, HR consultant Patrice Taylor discussed Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in the workplace and its importance.

Techtarget.com states that DEI is a term used to describe policies and programs promoting the representation and participation of different individuals and groups. DEI encompasses people of different ages, races, ethnicities, abilities, disabilities, genders, religions, cultures, and sexual orientations.

"It's about showing up for yourself and others and then making sure that it spills over into the workplace to bring profitability and increase a thriving work environment. It requires self-awareness, which we know is part of emotional intelligence. When we are self-aware, we know how to self-regulate, we can be empathetic towards the people we serve and how we epitomize servant leadership," said Taylor.

UB Professor Dr Niambi Campbell Hall Dean spoke about healthy relationships in the workplace and self-compassion while identifying ways DEI enhances people and their settings. "A lot of times when we think about relationships, we think of it in the context of intimate relationships. All of us are in relationships, 100% of us can improve our relationships. We all deserve healthy relationships in and out of the workplace that bring out the best in us. Treating yourself with the compassion encourages a growth mindset and helps to clarify purpose in way that leads to healthy relationships at work and home.

Joanne Miller-Neely, a Ministry of Education, Technical and Vocational Training participant from the early childhood section, agreed. "Allowing other persons space to give their perspectives and helps us to understand others –- we [must] include everyone, to make our workplace a happier place where we can be more productive."

BAF Financial participated in Corporate Character Day last year, and Vanessa Albury shared some of the company's activities, including views on how belittling was a behaviour that needed focus. "I think that as managers and supervisors, we look at certain things as tough love when you speak to someone, but the way someone else receives that behaviour can prove negative, and I think we must always recognize and understand the impact of our approach on others."

Character Day Bahamas is a program that PACE Foundation president Sonia Brown heads. The program is supported by the Templeton World Charity Foundation Inc. "We are continuing the training for corporate HR professionals. We believe that character is essential in every aspect of society. We spend a lot of effort in the schools and now with parents, and who are in the workplace. We can close that circle by having the students and their parents trained and be at their best," said Brown.

Character Day and the 2023 Power of Love theme will be celebrated on October 18 with activities across The Bahamas. Small grants of up to $1,000 to support year-long character development projects at local schools and youth programs are available. Applications for funding close October 15th, and more information is available at www.characterdaybahamas.org.

The action plans for Character Day Bahamas 2023 and submissions for Hidden Heroes by September 30, 2023, are on the way for educators, guidance counsellors, citizens, and corporate Bahamas. The program is in its eighth year and focuses on character strengths, and the goodness of people. Explaining how to identify a "hidden hero," program coordinator Charlene Carey advises to "Look for people who love their community and country, a helper who works tirelessly to serve others without seeking recognition or accolades. A person who continues to thrive despite life’s challenges." The Character Day program also focuses on improving the work and learning environments for others. At the recent corporate luncheon at the Balmoral Club, HR consultant Patrice Taylor discussed Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in the workplace and its importance. Techtarget.com states that DEI is a term used to describe policies and programs promoting the representation and participation of different individuals and groups. DEI encompasses people of different ages, races, ethnicities, abilities, disabilities, genders, religions, cultures, and sexual orientations. "It's about showing up for yourself and others and then making sure that it spills over into the workplace to bring profitability and increase a thriving work environment. It requires self-awareness, which we know is part of emotional intelligence. When we are self-aware, we know how to self-regulate, we can be empathetic towards the people we serve and how we epitomize servant leadership," said Taylor. UB Professor Dr Niambi Campbell Hall Dean spoke about healthy relationships in the workplace and self-compassion while identifying ways DEI enhances people and their settings. "A lot of times when we think about relationships, we think of it in the context of intimate relationships. All of us are in relationships, 100% of us can improve our relationships. We all deserve healthy relationships in and out of the workplace that bring out the best in us. Treating yourself with the compassion encourages a growth mindset and helps to clarify purpose in way that leads to healthy relationships at work and home. Joanne Miller-Neely, a Ministry of Education, Technical and Vocational Training participant from the early childhood section, agreed. "Allowing other persons space to give their perspectives and helps us to understand others –- we [must] include everyone, to make our workplace a happier place where we can be more productive." BAF Financial participated in Corporate Character Day last year, and Vanessa Albury shared some of the company's activities, including views on how belittling was a behaviour that needed focus. "I think that as managers and supervisors, we look at certain things as tough love when you speak to someone, but the way someone else receives that behaviour can prove negative, and I think we must always recognize and understand the impact of our approach on others." Character Day Bahamas is a program that PACE Foundation president Sonia Brown heads. The program is supported by the Templeton World Charity Foundation Inc. "We are continuing the training for corporate HR professionals. We believe that character is essential in every aspect of society. We spend a lot of effort in the schools and now with parents, and who are in the workplace. We can close that circle by having the students and their parents trained and be at their best," said Brown. Character Day and the 2023 Power of Love theme will be celebrated on October 18 with activities across The Bahamas. Small grants of up to $1,000 to support year-long character development projects at local schools and youth programs are available. Applications for funding close October 15th, and more information is available at www.characterdaybahamas.org.

Bahamian professional baseball player Jasrado 'Jazz' Chisholm Jr. and the Miami Marlins continue to roll, now in sole possession of the final wild card spot in the National League of Major League Baseball (MLB).

They blasted the National League West leading Los Angeles Dodgers, 11-4, last evening, picking up their sixth straight win and seventh in their last nine games. The Marlins have a 72-67 win/loss record, percentage points ahead of the Cincinnati Reds (73-69) and Arizona Diamondbacks (72-68) for the final wild card spot in the National League playoff race. The San Francisco Giants are two and a half games back at 70-70.

Chisholm himself has been on fire, slamming a home run for the second consecutive game on Wednesday. He had a solo upper deck shot that traveled 436 feet on Tuesday and then blasted a three-run shot to highlight a nine-run fifth inning for the Marlins on Wednesday, blowing the game open at loanDepot Park in Miami, Florida. It's the fourth time this season and fifth time in his career that he has gone deep on consecutive days.

The Marlins will face the Dodgers again this evening, looking to complete a three-game sweep.

Batting clean-up on Wednesday, Chisholm finished 2-for-4 with the home run, three RBIs (runs batted in) and a run scored. On his home run ball, he went after the first pitch he saw from Dodgers' starter Lance Lynn and carried it the opposite way over the left field wall. Chisholm got the barrel of the bat out front on a 91.9 miles per hour (mph) sinker and lifted it the other way for his 16th home run of the year. That shot gave the Marlins a 5-1 lead and they never looked back, going on to win comfortably.

The Marlins used five pitchers on Wednesday. Right handed pitcher Edward Cabrera hurled four innings of one hit ball and recorded the win. Lynn suffered the loss for the reeling Dodgers who have now lost five of their last six games.

Chisholm has now hit safely in six straight games and eight of his last nine. For the season, the Marlins' center fielder is batting .260 with 16 home runs, 40 RBIs and 39 runs scored. He has 73 total hits and 19 stolen bases and is just four home runs and one steal short of what would be his first 20-20 season in his four-year career in the majors.

The Marlins poured it on in the fifth inning last night, drilling three home runs and scoring nine runs. On Tuesday, they doubled up the Dodgers, 6-3, and were in total control on Wednesday.

It doesn't get any easier for the Marlins as they travel to Philadelphia to play the Phillies this weekend. The Phillies (77-62) is one of the teams ahead of the Marlins in the standings. That three-game set against the Phillies starts on Friday and will be played at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Following that, Chisholm and the Marlins will go to Milwaukee, Wisconsin to play the National League Central leading Milwaukee Brewers (77-62) for four games before hosting the league-leading Atlanta Braves (90-48) in three games next weekend.

In his last six games, the 25-year-old Bahamian baseball star has 11 hits and is batting .407 (11-for-27) with three home runs, nine RBIs and seven runs scored. Going into the stretch run of the season, Chisholm and the Marlins intend to remain torrid in chase of a playoff spot in the National League.

The playoff race remains tight in the National League as a number of teams are battling for wild card spots and the Marlins are right in the mix. They are looking to advance to the postseason for the second time in four years, following up on their appearance in the bubble in 2020. It would also be just the fourth time in the playoffs in their 31-year existence.