Dr. Bonnie Richardson-Lake
Activities marking the Fifth Anniversary of Zenaida Haven, a boys’ correction institution at Rey Hill, Anguilla, has climaxed with a luncheon and presentation of awards ceremony to honour employees for their outstanding service.
The event was held at Flavours Restaurant at La Vue on Friday, May 9. It was organised by the Ministry of Social Development and the Department of Probation which have oversight for Zenaida Haven.
As a special feature of the occasion, Justice Birnie Stephenson, an Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court Judge in Dominica, was the keynote speaker. She was accorded that opportunity in recognition of her work in establishing the Juvenile Delinquent Centre (now Zenaida Haven) – while serving as a Magistrate in Anguilla.
She was delighted with the continued functioning of the facility, and the hard and dedicated work of the employees for whom she had some timely advice. “I want to charge you to be passionate for positive change,” she advised them. “Motivate the young men in your charge that they can change as individuals; and that they can be productive men in our society.”
Justice Stephenson was of the view that the staff members had “the vision and desire to affect change, and were good candidates for being catalysts for change or to ignite change”.
Director of the Probation Department, Mrs Jocelyn Johnson said she wanted to have the dinner and certificate presentation ceremony in order to celebrate the work of the employees and to assure them that their services had not gone unnoticed. She added that the event was aimed at motivating and giving them a sense of empowerment to take further steps in improving the delivery of their duties.
Following her presentation, Ms Johnson distributed certificates of appreciation and gifts to the staff members.
The awarded members of staff were Akio Lloyd, Sophia Webster, Rodwell Grant, Jerry Christmas, Glenda Malle, Jervis Richardson, John Millington, Yoshida Gumbs, Ashford Desouza, Dorn Henry, Soya Williams, Thomas Samuel, Valerie Hodge and Mrs Fenton.
The Department of Probation has expressed gratitude to the sponsors of the staff awards and appreciation luncheon; the sponsors and awardees who were recognised for their contribution to the development of juvenile rehabilitation in Anguilla; and the sponsors of the door prizes.
