The Grand Bahama Home for the Aged on Forbisher Drive. Their sign was damaged in the past hurricanes. A new sign is needed.

October is National Older Persons’ Month and is also the anniversary of The Grand Bahama Home for the Aged. The Bahamas Weekly had a tour of the Grand Bahama Home for the Aged recently. The Home is situated on Frobisher Drive in Freeport. Also on this property is The Children’s Centre, a busy daycare for around sixty children of the surrounding community, which helps to generate funds for the Home, and also provides a therapeutic environment for the elderly residents of the Home, as they are able to hear the laughter of children on a daily basis and or see the children playing in the yard.

This vital establishment is in need of ongoing assistance, whether it be financial or by specific item donations. The Home appreciates the groups, and persons that provided assistance to them. High school students that provide community service to the Home are also appreciated. More are needed however.

On any given day, the Grand Bahama Home for the Aged provides a safe, clean and comfortable residence for 20 seniors who, for various medical and social reasons, are unable to remain with their relatives.

THE HISTORY of The Grand Bahama Home for the Aged and Children’s Centre: The Grand Bahama Home & Daycare for the Aged and The Children's Centre opened its doors in October of 1990. The Grand Bahama Home for the Aged is a safe, clean, and comfortable residence for 20 senior citizens who, for various medical and social reasons, are unable to remain with their relatives. Financial provisions are garnered by way of fund raisers, public sponsors, and small contributions from the relatives which are in a position to offer assistance. Additionally, the government of The Commonwealth of The Bahamas provides a considerable annual grant that is greatly appreciated and well-utilized in continued maintenance and improvements. However, these generous donations are not adequate as the annual cost of operating exceeds $200,000.00.

The Children's Centre has the crucial task of thoroughly preparing each child to embark on a journey of life-long learning to meet his or her personal challenges and the demands of the twenty-first century. Similarly, the mission of The Grand Bahama Home & Daycare for the Aged is founded on the principle that the elderly deserve respect and the preservation of their dignity at a most challenging time in their lives. This divine ministry emanates from a core belief that "We Are Our Brother's Keeper!"

The Falcon Boys Club give back in service, seen here doing lawn maintenance in front of the Children's Centre on a Saturday in October.

Directions to the Home: Going East on Mall Drive, turn Right (by Pizza Hut) on Adventures Way, then take the 2nd Right onto Forbisher Drive. The Home is the 2nd building on the Left.

Their phone number is 242-352-5408.

Two teens visit with the elderly as part of their high school community service credit requirements. More students would be appreciated at the home.

Providing Community Service at the GB Home for the Aged: The elderly love to be visited. If you are a high school student, you can make community service credits by visiting the Home for the Aged. If you are new at it, then we can suggest the following:

- Just talk to an elderly person, they love to listen, or talk to you

- Read to an elderly person - Brush hair, assist in grooming an elderly person

- Apply lotion to their skin, human touch means so much

The men at the home, many handicapped without a place to go, like to spent days out on the back screened area where they can talk, and get a good view of the children playing at the Centre.

Immediate Needs for the Home:

- Cleaning products: bleach, pine sol, dish liquid

- Depends – adult diapers

- Cash donations to help with mortgage, utilities and running expenses

***image5***The Falcon Boys Club is open to boys aged 8 to 18 years, and is celebrating ten years of operation on Grand Bahama Island. Based around the sport of basketball, the Club’s mission is to also inspire principles of Christianity through service. Throughout each year the boys participate in many basketball tournaments. All activities are held at Tabernacle Baptist Church grounds, but boys from anywhere on Grand Bahama are invited to join. Registration is $20 for new members, or $10 for returning, and includes a Club T-Shirt. The Club meets each Saturday from 10am to Noon.

The Club won the 2005 Ministry of Youth Sports & Culture Award.

Contact the Club by calling the director, Mr. Darrin Rolle at 373-2961/352-9556, or email Darrin at falcons@batelnet.bs  

Do you care for an elderly parent or parents? Seek Educations and Get Help: The internet is a wealth of information. Use a search engine like www.Google.com to search for information on the subject. If you are challenges talk to someone about it. Find help and get yourself a break from time to time.

Agatha Thompson, Founder and Administrator of both the Home for the Aged and the Children's Centre, honoured by many local service organization for her 30 years of dedication.

Mrs. Agatha Thompson, founder/administrator, celebrates over 30 years of service to the children and the elderly. Her professionalism and enthusiasm trickle down to every department and her philanthropic gestures have been recognized and honoured by Rotary International, The Alpha Kappa Alpha Foundation, The Business and Professional Women's Foundation, The Grand Bahama Christian Council, The Kiwanis Club of Freeport, and numerous other international and local organizations.