Our Programmes
Our programmes are designed to yield palpable, long-term results. Each programme is aimed at providing learning opportunities for Bahamian children, young adults, families, and communities who will benefit the most. Read full story Focus
Introduction
FOCUS is an out-of-school-time, tuition-free enrichment programme aimed at preparing public school students of demonstrated potential and need for college readiness and access.
Students begin the programme the summer after Grade four, and are supported throughout their school career. Our expectation is that they will eventually become the first generation in their family to achieve post-secondary education.
FOCUS also supports teachers in training. The majority of interns are University of The Bahamas (UB), School of Education majors, who will eventually be teaching in the country’s public school system.
FOCUS impact
2017 KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- 176
- Students
- in grades 5-9 served
- $780k
- invested
- Total in 2017
- $780k
- invested
- Total in 2017
- 176
- Students
- in grades 5-9 served
Students
FOCUS students share similar background, coming from communities that are underserved. There are no grade requirements and our cohorts are representative of the applicant pool. Additionally, our FOCUS students will be the first in their family to attend college.
Student Eligibility
The recruitment and application process to become a FOCUS student is open to Grade four students in six public schools that populate the northwestern part of New Providence only.
The six new providence schools are
- Eva Hilton Primary
- Albury Sayle Primary
- Gambier Primary
- Woodcock Primary
- T.G. Glover Primary
- Stephen Dillet Primary
Student Application Process
Eligible students and their parents must attend an in-person application session. Each year more than 500 students are eligible to apply, and we receive between 100-140 applications.
A FOCUS Team member visits every grade four classroom in all six Northwest New Providence Schools Recruitment visits are made between November and January at each grade four class at each of the six schools.
Every grade four student in the six schools receives a letter about FOCUS, inviting parents to attend an application sessions.
All sessions are held after work hours, including Saturdays to accommodate parents’ schedules. At these sessions, applications are completed and submitted by parents and students.
After a three-stage selection process, 18 girls and 18 boys are chosen to become FOCUS students. Every applicant is notified on whether or not they are accepted into FOCUS. Successful students begin FOCUS the summer after completing grade four.
Stages of screening
- Step 01
- Review of applications to eliminate students who do not fit the greatest need profile.
- Step 02
- Interview of parent and student conducted by one third party and at least one FOCUS team member.
- Step 03
- Literacy evaluation.
Final decision communication is made to all families by May each year.
Interns
Focus is made possible by a talented group of team leaders and interns.
- 35
- Part-time
- Staff each year
Opportunities are offered are on a competitive basis at the beginning of each year. Invitations to join the team are made on merit and assessment of those who are best suited to our culture – a high performing and highly collaborative environment.
We have a strong recruitment and partnership relationship with the University of The Bahamas; however, FOCUS internships opportunities are not limited only to UB Students.
- Eligibility for a FOCUS Internship
- The applicant must be enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate degree programme at a recognized college or university.
What makes a good intern?
- Adaptable
- You go with the flow. You can adapt when conditions are not perfect and make the best of any situation.
- Collaborative
- You make teamwork look easy and natural.
- Collegial
- You freely share information, resources, skills, time and ideas with colleagues to achieve a goal. You do not hoard your talents, rather you enrich your team through sharing them.
- Committed
- You fulfil obligations you sign up for. You arrive on time and stay until work is completed.
- Curious
- You are a constant learner. You love learning new things and applying learning to your life and growth.
- Driven
- You are goal oriented and love achieving measurable gains towards an overall goal. Seeing tangible results makes you happy.
- Energetic
- You are exuberant and transfer your positive energy to those around you.
- Innovative
- You are creative and full of ideas which you are eager to share. You constantly seek to assess and improve standard processes and procedures.
- Reflective
- You think about your thoughts and actions and how they contribute to or impede your individual success and the progress or regression of the collective.
- Warm
- You exude approachability and have genuine regard and affection for people, especially young people and children.
- Do not remove
- Do not remove
- Do not remove
- Do not remove
- Intern Application Process
- Complete the online application form
- Complete form
Volunteers
During each summer and school year, we engage adult professionals, college and high school students alike who volunteer their time to support various areas of programming.
You must be at least in Grade 10 of high school in order to volunteer for FOCUS.
GET IN TOUCH
If you are interested in volunteering, please contact us at 225-8958 or EMAIL us, to find out more about the volunteer opportunities at FOCUS and the best match for your interests and availability.
Scholar Journeys
Scholar Journeys
“My dream is to be a business owner while paving the way for others. This scholarship is making it all possible.”
LYFORD CAY SCHOLAR ’16
Treymaine Dean
Mortuary Science – Gupton-Jones College
This isn’t your typical field, but I find so much happiness in helping families when they are at their most vulnerable.
Scholar Journeys
“I want to defy all odds and… become an empowered, educated and successful young Bahamian.”
LYFORD CAY SCHOLAR ’16
Luxzonica Young
Loretta Anne Rogers Scholarship Recipient
Over the years, Lyford Cay Foundations has enriched the lives of so many Bahamians. I know that if my goal was to be among the most successful, I needed the support of an organization that believed in my vision.
Scholar Journeys
“ In the next two years, I should be attending college. I know this process is a long one, but it’s one I’m willing to take because it’s worth it.”
FOCUS CLASS of 2020
Jaheim Wallace
FOCUS is helping me make my vision a reality by getting me ready for the real world with job readiness and teaching me to make my own decisions. They are also helping me look for colleges that are ideal for me.
Scholar Journeys
“With Lyford Cay Foundations’ support both professionally and personally, I am constantly growing in my field ”
LYFORD CAY SCHOLAR ‘14 /
Founder, Bahamas Plastic Movement
Krystal Armbrose
Through [the Foundations’] support, we have been able to engage Bahamians in plastic pollution education and research and successfully driven significant change at the policy level in regard to single use plastic consumption.
Scholar Journeys
“I feel thankful to have received help from Lyford Cay Foundations.”
LYFORD CAY SCHOLAR ’97
Rayon Brown
Actuarial Consultant, Nichols & Co.
I have gained specialized training and experience in the international insurance business, becoming a fully qualified actuary focused on enterprise risk management. I feel honoured to have received an award from the Bahamas Financial Services Board for contributions to the industry.
Scholar Journeys
“After the initial application process, I felt a sense of belonging.”
LYFORD CAY SCHOLAR ’15
Joshua Ritchie
Mechanical Engineering-University of Arkansas
At 19, I enrolled at The College of The Bahamas. Although mechanical engineering was not offered, I worked toward a pre-engineering degree and continuously researched ways to go abroad to study mechanical engineering.
Scholar Journeys
“This definitely would not have been possible without Lyford Cay Foundations.”
LYFORD CAY SCHOLAR ’15
Blair Thompson
TK Foundation Technical Scholarship Recipient
Food Service Management – Johnson & Wales
I am the proudest mommy in the planet! I’m humbled that Lyford Cay Foundations saw the promise of a bright future in my daughter and gave her the vehicle to navigate that passion.
– Charlotte Knowles-Thompson
Scholar Journeys
“If someone doesn’t get the drill the first time, you pat them on the back and say, Good try! You’ll get it next time.”
COMMUNITY GRANTS
Laurel Rolle
Basketball Smiles Participant
I’ve come to this camp every summer for 5 years. Our coaches taught us to encourage each other.
Scholar Journeys
“I was encouraged to pursue a degree in medicine, but I knew this was not the right path for me.”
LYFORD CAY SCHOLAR ’15
Angelika Wallace-Whitfield
History and Philosophy of Art
[After] completing a year of studying art at The College of The Bahamas, working at two museums, pursuing my love of painting late into the night every night, and a few solo art exhibitions, I found that my true love is art.
Scholar Journeys
“I can’t thank the donors enough for their continued generosity and commitment to investing in the real wealth of this nation – its people.
LYFORD CAY SCHOLAR ’88
Dionne Benjamin-Smith
Fine Arts – Rhode Island School of Design
I am very grateful that the Foundations see fit to grant scholarships specifically to the arts… This changes their lives forever.
F.A.Q.
Focus most frequent questions and answers
How can my child apply to Focus?
Your child must in grade four in one of six Northwest New Providence public schools, and must attend an application session with a parent or guardian.
What if my child does not attend a Northwest New Providence primary school?
Unfortunately, there are only six schools from which we accept applications for FOCUS students.
See more
Who completes the FOCUS application form?
Both the child and the parent/guardian must complete FOCUS application forms.
What grade child grade does my child have to be in to apply to FOCUS?
Your child must be in grade four to apply to FOCUS
