FREEPORT, GRAND BAHAMA — An entrepreneurial partnership known for focusing on social and environmental responsibility has been welcomed to the Grand Bahama community as “part of the family” thanks to its interest in and support for the cause of children in need.
The Grand Bahama Children’s Home (GBCH), which cares for neglected and abandoned children on the island, held its first fundraiser in four years last weekend.
The event was deemed a huge success, in no small part thanks to a significant donation by Weller Development Partners, one of the investors behind the recently announced and highly-anticipated Six Seasons luxury resort development.
GBCH Executive Director, June Hutcheson said: “We are so grateful to have Weller Development for joining us at the fundraising dinner. They came and shared in the evening and generously made a donation of $20,000. We were truly touched and so honored.”
She explained that the Home was totally destroyed by Hurricane Dorian and had to be rebuilt from the ground up. Yet because there was so much need and suffering across Grand Bahama in the wake of the devasting storm, which only became worse because of the economic fallout from the Covid-19 pandemic, the GBCH didn’t think it appropriate to hold any fundraising events for the last several years. Weller’s generous donation was therefore most welcome, she said.
Hutcheson noted that the partners did more than just contribute financially.
“They also came the following day to visit the Home and the children to learn more about our needs, in an effort to support where possible,” she said.
“They are our new partners and part of the family of GBCH. We sincerely thank each of the partners for their kindness and generosity.”
Weller is known for prioritizing the social impact of its developments around the world, as well as a commitment to environmentally sustainable construction. President and Founding Partner Marc Weller said he was deeply touched by the amazing job being done every day by the staff and administrators of the GBCH, calling the home an example of the kind of community partner Weller seeks to connect with when developing a new project.
“Community enhancement has always been a cornerstone of our work,” he said. “We believe that the success and profitability of our projects goes hand-in-hand with community growth and social progress. We have never seen ourselves as outside investors, but instead as new members of the Grand Bahama community and close partners of its wonderful and welcoming people. That’s why it was so gratifying and encouraging to be welcomed with open arms by the Children’s Home.
“I was just amazed by the incredible job they are doing and the total commitment of the staff to the wellbeing of vulnerable children in need. Meeting the children and witnessing firsthand how important the work of the Home is, really touched me as a father and as a professional that sees the potential for social good in the work that we do.”
Weller said he hopes to work closely with the GBCH and other social institutions of its kind in the future.
The Six Senses Luxury Resort, slated for opening in 2026, is expected to attract Grand Bahamians back to the island, creating hundreds of permanent jobs as well as hundreds of jobs in the construction phase. Weller and its investment partners are prioritizing hiring from communities directly surrounding the Discovery Bay property just east of Freeport, and are working with local partner the Blue Action Lab on training skills enhancement programs for workers.
Grand Bahama’s ability to attract Six Senses, named the world’s top luxury resort by Condé Nast Traveler, represents a huge boost for the island’s tourism brand and is expected to attract further major development and investment on the island.
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