One year to the day after the Seahorse Institute, a Bahamian not-for-profit organization that provides education and therapeutic support to children with special needs such as autism and Down syndrome, was destroyed by fire, the new facility was opened.
Over the eight months the leadership and staff of the facility, temporarily housed their specially designed clinical and educational programs, which supported 24 children between two and 21 years of age at St. Andrew's Kirk Presbyterian Church before moving into the new location at 85 Soldier Road.
The new facility at Soldier Road features spacious classrooms, ample outside and inside recreation options including a swing set, playground and pool as well as rooms for clinical evaluation and treatment.
According to Dr. Michelle Major, the facility will be a community resource, offering free monthly classes to all parents and educators through the new CARE Academy. Additionally, the new facility is being used by Barry University to hold classes for the Master's Program in Special Education.
"The Seahorse Institute will work with government and schools and other not-for-profit organizations to have a positive impact here in The Bahamas for children with special needs and their families," said Dr. Major.
Seahorse Institute's volunteer board and its director, Dr. Michelle Major, reached out to the Bahamian community for support and received a tremendous response from individuals and businesses in the form of donation of funds, building supplies and volunteering of technical expertise and labor. With their support and a bridge loan provided by Mark Roberts, president of FYP, the Seahorse Institute was able to purchase a new facility and renovate it to meet the special educational and therapeutic needs of the children.
During the opening ceremony, guests were treated to a performance by the children of Seahorse Institute and visiting students from St. Andrew's School who signed and sang to a song called "Thank You". The schools share a weekly inclusion day where students intermingle. Entertainment was also provided by Adrian D'Aguilar and the Jazz Cats youth group.
Haitian Ambassador to The Bahamas Antonio Rodrique; U.S. Embassy Charge d'Affaire John Dinkelmann; Zhai Xingfu, counselor and deputy chief of the Chinese Embassy; Yang Guang, attache of the Chinese Embassy and wife of the Chinese Ambassador to The Bahamas Yang Hong were able to visit the new site, tour the facility and learn about the work that is done with the children first-hand from the students and parents themselves.
The contributions of the donors who contributed to the building of the new facility were recognized and two Angel Awards were presented to Baha Mar Resorts along with Mark Robert, president of FYP, for their extraordinary efforts to ensure that the children had a new place to learn and grow.
The Seahorse Institute has also partnered with Furniture Plus and their Charity of Hope Foundation to make Charity of Hope candles available for sale around the country with proceeds to benefit the institute. Candles can be purchased for $10. Handmade Angels of Hope can be purchased for $1 at Furniture Plus. Each year, Krystynia D'Arville at Furniture Plus assists us in raising nearly $5,000 annually.
To volunteer at Seahorse Institute or to make a donation, visit seahorseinstitute.org or speak with Andi Strachan at 242-676-6780 for more information.

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