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Last Updated: Feb 13, 2017 - 1:45:37 AM |
Kendal Barr, the lone male honoree, receives his Long Service Award for 28 years of service from Her Excellency Dame Marguerite Pindling, Governor-General of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, during the Department of Social Services' 50th Anniversary Long Service Awards at Government House, September 18. Minister of Social Services and Community Development, the Hon. Melanie S. Griffin is at left. (BIS Photo/Letisha Henderson).
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NASSAU, The Bahamas -- The Ministry of Social Services and Community Development and the Department of Social Services would not be able to fulfill their respective roles within The Bahamas without a cadre of committed, trained staff, Minister of Social Services and Community Development, the Hon. Melanie S. Griffin said Thursday at an Awards Ceremony for the 50th Anniversary of the Department of Social Services, held at Government House.
“So often we hear negative comments about public officers, but we have before us this morning a group of dedicated, hard-working men and women who have demonstrated by their long years in Social Services, their commitment to the uplifting of our people and the building of our nation,” Mrs. Griffin said.
“You would recognize from the various job titles of our honorees, the wide range of supportive services they provide – many of them often performing duties outside of those job titles without even being asked and wherever a need may exist for additional hands. All of this is done to help facilitate the smooth and efficient operation of the Department of Social Services.
“In my remarks at the Official Opening of the Exhibition, I stated that the modern Bahamas could not exist without the Department of Social Services (DOSS) and today I add to this statement by saying that the Department would be unable to fulfill its role without a cadre of committed, trained staff,” Mrs. Griffin added.
Long Service Awards were presented as part of celebrations surrounding the 50th Anniversary of state-operated social welfare services in The Bahamas.
Thursday’s honorees – 24 Administrative and Support Staff – received Long Service Awards for 25 or more years. They included three Executive Officers; four Senior Supervisors; six Assistant Supervisors; two Head Janitresses; a Telephonist; an Assistant Accountant; one Executive Officer; an Executive Secretary; a Senior Clerk; one General Service Worker; an Assistant Registry Supervisor; a House Mistress and one Messenger.
Pastor Timothy Stuart (right), Senior Pastor at Bethel Baptist Church and a former Social Worker, was in attendance at the 50th Anniversary Long Service Awards Ceremony Thursday. Also pictured (from left) are: Minister of Social Services and Community Development, the Hon. Melanie S. Griffin and Her Excellency Dame Marguerite Pindling, Governor-General of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas. (BIS Photo/Letisha Henderson)
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Nine of the honorees – Mary Dean, Lydia Strachan, Carlton Strachan, Barbara Minnis, Vadie Greene, Linda Davis, Jennive Jeffrey, Anniemae Charlton and Barbara Williams -- have served between 25-34 years; Eight between 26 and 29 years – Sabrina Smith, Ferne Knowles, Deidre Richardson, Veronica Hamilton, LeVaughn Saunders, Kendal Barr, Ellamae Simmons and Deidre Richardson-Swann; and seven who have served 25 years -- Willamae Smith, Veronica Rolle, Janet Whylly, Melony Higgs, Jeannette Rahming, Lillian Adderley and Pandora Charlton.
Earlier in March, the Department also recognized 65 Social Workers and Case Aides in the Department of Social Services for their unwavering and steadfast service to the nation spanning 25-42 years – as part of the 50th Anniversary Celebrations.
“Social Workers are always in the limelight and constantly commended for the services they provide to the community,” Mrs. Griffin said, “so often, however, when reference is made to the staff of the Department of Social Services, people only think about the technical staff (but) there are a number of persons who work behind the scenes, persons who provide a variety of support services that facilitate the work of social workers.
“I daresay that without these persons, the majority of social workers and the Department of Social Services would not be able to function effectively.”
The 50th Anniversary Celebrations will conclude on Sunday, September 28, with a Church Service and Luncheon at which time Mrs. Frances Ledee, the country’s first social worker and past and present Directors will be honored for their role in the advancement of social work in The Bahamas.
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