Award Presented to ‘One Community Unified’
One Community Unified, a grassroots movement encouraging community regeneration and youth outreach in East Pembroke in the wake of violence, has been recognised with the latest Bermuda CableVision Community Service Award. The award was presented at the company’s annual ‘Salute to Service’ Banquet held last evening [Jan 22] at The Fairmont Southampton.
Some of the representatives of One Community Unified, Winner of the Bermuda CableVision Community Service Award on stage with their awards
A number of representatives of Bermuda Government were in attendance to applaud the churches, community organisations and individuals that together form One Community Unified as they collected the award. Government representatives included: Premier Paula Cox, Minister Walter Roban, Minister Glenn Blakeney, Minister Michael Scott, Minister Michael Weeks, Governor Sir Richard Gozney and U.S. Consul General Grace Shelton were also in attendance. The guest speaker at the event was Pastor Dr. Eric L. Nathan.
One Community Unified is designed to provide greater openness in the community and a listening forum for those affected by the violence, as well as their families. One Community Unified has encouraged increased communication within the East Pembroke neighbourhood by organising united church services, local school programmes, community forums, family movie nights, as well as a number of action planning meetings. Volunteers from the group have also gone door-to-door talking to people and offering prayer and support.
The One Community Unified initiative began two years ago, but gained renewed focus and vigour following the tragic murder of 30-year-old Kumi Harford on December 5, 2009, just outside St. Monica’s Mission Church. One Community Unified was formally launched on January 16, 2010, with an open-air community meeting at the Victor Scott field, where individuals and families came together to enjoy live entertainment, local food stalls and listen to testimonials from former gang members to foster greater understanding of the motivations for violence. Attendees were encouraged to join in prayer and seek advice from the various community organisations represented at the event.
Governor Sir Richard Gozney said: “I send my warm congratulations to One Community Unified for this award. One Community Unified deserves our praise for their attempts to restore solidarity within a particular corner of our community. This is important work for the island as a whole. Unrest in any part of Bermuda affects us all by horrifying us with its violence, and by dampening our community spirit across the board.”
Premier Paula Cox said: “One Community Unified demonstrates leadership. They have committed to tackle tough issues and set an example. While Government can set the pace, it is the people who cause the change. One Community Unified understands that not talking about problems is a poor way to prepare a plan to fix them. Government will continue to champion policies that promote social justice and equity. We are greatly encouraged to know that organisations like One Community Unified are partnering to seek the best for the country and her people.”
Terry Roberson, General Manager of Bermuda CableVision, adds: “One Community Unified was selected by Bermuda CableVision for this award because of the extraordinary efforts of its members to address the tragic events that have taken place in this neighbourhood. By working to re-establish a sense of hope for those living in East Pembroke, One Community Unified has positively influenced those threatened by violence. I am confident that they will provide comfort to heal the wounds of this community from within.”
Pictured below from left: Terry Roberson, General Manager of Bermuda CableVision and Some of the representatives of One Community Unified, Winner of the Bermuda CableVision Community Service Award on stage with their awards:
To support their work in the future, One Community Unified received a $5,000 donation from Bermuda CableVision as part of their award.
In addition, Anthony Peets was honoured with the Rollin Nathan Community Award at the banquet for his extensive volunteer work with children in Bermuda.
Mr. Peets has been working with young people for the past 26 years, in a variety of roles. He volunteers for Bermuda Autism Support & Education (BASE); is an Elder Warwick Seventh Day Adventist Church and acts as a trusted confidante; and visits St. John’s Pre-School each week to teach children the value of respect, enthusiasm, achievement, citizenship and hard work. Mr. Peets is also an avid puppeteer and started a puppet company to deliver positive messages to children through storytelling at schools, churches and at community events.
Pictured below from left: Rollin Nathan, Bermuda CableVision; Anthony Peets, winner of the Rollin Nathan Community Award and Alan Smith, Bermuda CableVision pictured with children from Prospect School that Mr. Peets helps in his volunteer work.
Rollin Nathan, Sales Manager with Bermuda CableVision, is responsible for coordinating the Bermuda CableVision Community Service Award programme. As a result of his work on this project, the company developed the Rollin Nathan Community Award in 2008. Mr. Nathan says: “With this annual award, we recognise special individuals in the community who are making a difference in the lives of others. Through Mr. Peets’ work with children, he is having a lifelong impact by helping them to develop a strong character and motivating them to do their best at school. Many children know him as “Uncle Anthony” and “Superman,” which is proof of the respect he commands from the island’s younger generation. We congratulate him on winning this year’s award.”
As part of their award, Bermuda CableVision made a $1,000 donation to Anthony Peets in support of his voluntary work.
Each January, Bermuda CableVision hosts the ‘Salute to Service’ Banquet, to celebrate and recognise past and present Community Service Award recipients. The awards have been presented quarterly since 2004 and were established to recognise individuals and organisations that make a difference in the community through volunteer work.
This is what Bermuda is all about . Keep up the great work.
decades long admirer of Bermuda