As we enter 2025, the desire for peace resonates more than ever. The Character Day Bahamas initiative, “Peace Begins with Me,” is dedicated to fostering a culture of kindness, empathy, and respect within our communities. “It is our commitment to touching the lives of others to create more peaceful communities,” said Claudette Rolle, president of the PACE Foundation, the organization responsible for spearheading the initiative.
In the second half of 2024, Character Day Bahamas and its partners held a series of impactful events across The Bahamas. These included educational workshops, peace campaigns, and activities focused on character development, values, and bullying prevention. Schools and organizations were encouraged to implement action plans to continue these efforts.
The 2024 Character Program awarded 10 grants to support character education projects at schools and youth programs. Twelve Hidden Heroes were recognized from a pool of 176 nominations. Additionally, 220 educators, guidance counsellors, youth workers, and 19 corporate organizations participated in workshops on combating bullying, fostering teamwork, and building good character.
Shantel Saunders, a board member of the PACE Foundation, emphasizes the importance of mindful communication in fostering peace within workplaces. “If you see someone with their head down, ask how they are. Be mindful and show compassion—small actions can make a big difference,” she said.
Patricia Bain, HR Director at Colina Insurance Limited, shared how the company celebrated the theme with a “Lunch and Learn” event featuring HR professional Cherrylee Pinder. “Her presentation resonated deeply with our employees, and we honoured team members who demonstrated peace in the workplace,” Bain noted. “The event also included a special recognition segment where their colleagues celebrated team members for demonstrating peace in the workplace. Maxine Seymour, our Corporate Communications Director, delivered a passionate address, emphasizing the importance of the business community leveraging its influence to advocate for the voiceless, champion the most vulnerable and invest in the wider community.”
Doctors Hospital Health System also joined in, hosting a week of activities promoting peace and unity among employees. “Each activity emphasized kindness, connection, and positivity,” underscored Doctors Hospital’s dedication to creating a harmonious workplace culture where employees feel valued, connected, and inspired to make a difference,” said Latoya Atkinson. As we look forward to celebrating our Peace Champions and sharing our team spirit, Doctors Hospital is proud to embrace the values of Character Day and continue fostering an environment where “Peace Begins with Me” resonates in all we do.”
Character Day’s reach extended across The Bahamas, with participation from schools and community groups. Family Island Representatives Keffi Ann Ferguson-Duncombe, Jemia Pratt-Rahming, Carlene Woods, and Kaylisa Sands-Kemp played an instrumental role in this year’s program’s success.
Sharleen Hanson, the director of Boost Academy, is a 2024 Hidden Hero Champion. Her school held an inspiring workshop led by disability advocate and 2023 Character Day Hidden Hero Champion Erin Brown. Brown’s powerful presentation and engaging team-building activities were inspiring. The student council initiated a vibrant “Peace Wall” to symbolize unity and respect.
Peace and inclusiveness were celebrated at Stapledon School, the Bahamas Association of the Physically Disabled, and the Centre for the Deaf. A short video highlighting the 2024 Character Day Bahamas activities and many participating schools can be viewed at https://youtu.be/skfDOy8HJi4.
Character Day engages people in conversations about how character strengthens, shapes, and influences lives. The PACE Foundation hosts Character Day, which is funded by the Templeton World Charity Foundation, to underscore the importance of forming young people and communities with positive self-worth. PACE (Providing Access to Continued Education), an alternative school for teen mothers, began Character Day as a vehicle to assist in equipping young people with the tools needed to make better decisions, especially as they relate to the prevention of teen pregnancy. The program, which has impacted students, educators, guidance counsellors and human resource professionals, continues to focus on traits that foster respect of self, community building, love of country, peace and the celebration of Hidden Heroes within our midst.
The “Peace Begins with Me” toolkit, featuring inspiring messages and a curated list of songs and materials created by celebrities to share their experiences with bullying, offers valuable resources designed to be easily incorporated into classrooms, homes, and community settings. Visit www.characterdaybahamas.org.
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