The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net  

Junior Achievement (JA) Grand Bahama Shipyard Squad made a generous donation of food items to the Urban Renewal Commission last month to help needy families in Grand Bahama.

Marrisa Roberts, company president, said the initiative is about giving back to the community while also supporting local businesses.

As part of their community service project, the donated food items to go to seven families selected by the Grand Bahama Urban Renewal Centre.

“It is an honour to help ease the burden these families face,” said Miss Roberts. “We also made it our mission to buy all the food locally, ensuring we support businesses in our community.”

Named as 2024 JA Company of Year, Ms Roberts said the donation speaks to their company’s commitment to corporate responsibility.

Mr Lloyd Grant, deputy director of Urban Renewal Northern Bahamas, thanked the Junior Achievers for their efforts.

“This is what Urban Renewal is about — helping those in need. The food packages will be distributed across Grand Bahama. We have seven centres in GB; one in High Rock, Sea Horse Village, Marco City, Pineridge, Central Grand Bahama at Lewis Yard, West End and Eight Mile Rock.”

JA Bahamas was established in 1979 in New Providence and expanded to Grand Bahama in 1983. It is a non-profit organisation that helps high school students become future entrepreneurs. Achievers are placed in companies, mentored by advisors, and taught valuable life skills such as financial literacy and work readiness. They earn salaries and dividends based on their company’s performance at the end of the JA year.

JA Grand Bahama programme coordinator Dequann Carroll stressed that community service is a key part of JA’s mission as they mentor young men and women to be future entrepreneurs.