Lyford Cay Foundations to Build Partnerships with Historic Kemp Road Community

For Immediate Release on or after April 23, 2021

With the recent tragedy impacting the Kemp Road community still fresh, Lyford Cay Foundations today met with influential civic leaders and announced plans to form partnerships that will develop and showcase the potential of the historic community’s young people.

The initiative to build results-oriented partnerships was introduced by Lyford Cay Foundations Executive Director, Nicola Virgill-Rolle, along with Vice Chairperson, Sarah Farrington and FOCUS Program Coordinator, Karen McCartney, who met with Kemp Road Ministries Pastor Ivan Butler and Dr. Joanne Butler.

The visit was revealing, but also encouraging. Acknowledging the challenges faced, Virgill-Rolle said, “There are beautiful stories coming from the community. We want to highlight those successes and find ways to support the incredible efforts and work being done by community-based organizations.”

Of particular interest was a pre-school already operated by Kemp Road Ministries, along with a proposed meal and after-school enrichment programme.  The Lyford Cay Foundations’ acclaimed FOCUS programme may also be an additional avenue for expansion to other communities where there is need. 

“Lyford Cay Foundations would be pleased to partner with the historic community of Kemp Road,” said Farrington. “We will also be reaching out to other organizations to partner with us for even greater impact.”

Lyford Cay Foundations has a 50-year history of supporting community efforts. Since its inception, Lyford Cay Foundations have provided some 3,000 Scholarships for tertiary level education to Bahamian students. The Foundations support 270 primary and high school students in an 8-year long (FOCUS) program to improve college readiness and have provided more than 250 community grants. With 3,000 donors throughout its history, over $80 million has been donated and some $50 million has been disbursed to benefit the development of The Bahamas.

To learn more about Lyford Cay Foundations’ programs, please visit www.lyfordcayfoundations.org.

Photo:  Mrs. Sarah Farrington, Vice-Chair, Lyford Cay Foundation, Inc; Pastor Ivan Butler and Dr. Joanne Butler, Kemp Road Ministries; and Dr. Nicola Virgill-Rolle, Executive Director, Lyford Cay Foundations.