Men of CIBC FirstCaribbean celebrate IMD with Colby House for Boys

Men of CIBC FirstCaribbean celebrate IMD with Colby House for Boys
Men of CIBC FirstCaribbean pay a visit to Colby House for Boys. From left: Quarindo Davis, Sandyport branch manager; Anthony Rolle, technical analyst; Jermaine Sands, customer care and sales center manager; Leonard Newton, Colby House for Boys administrator; Samuel Gardiner, branch support services manager; Kemar Polius, head of corporate banking; Anthony Clarke, client credit management analyst; Perry Rolle, CIBC trust managing director. (ASHLEY@SERENAWILLIAMS-PR.COM)

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — More than 90 countries across the globe celebrated the positive value men bring to the world, their country, communities and families on International Men’s Day (IMD) on November 19.

CIBC FirstCaribbean marked the occasion with a visit and donation to the Colby House for Boys, an all-male transitional home in Nassau specializing in personalized care for emotionally and physically traumatized youngsters. The visit featured open conversations, haircuts from a visiting barber and a promise of more visits to come.

Residents of Colby House for Boys received haircuts from Elkin’s Mobile Barbering, courtesy of CIBC FirstCaribbean, when men of the bank paid a visit to the home. (ASHLEY@SERENAWILLIAMS-PR.COM)

Men from the bank — Quarindo Davis, Anthony Rolle, Jermaine Sands, Samuel Gardiner, Kemar Polius, Anthony Clarke and Perry Rolle — received a warm welcome from the youngsters, who were all ears listening to stories of their visitors’ life experiences, career tips and insights on their own youthful struggles.

Leonard Newton, administrator of Colby House for Boys, expressed appreciation to the men and CIBC FirstCaribbean overall for initiating the positive visit and presenting a donation from its ComTrust Foundation in celebration of International Men’s Day.

“I haven’t seen our residents interact with guests and be this engaged in a long time,” he said.

“The generous donation given will help to continue providing personalized care for our young men and equip them for a productive adulthood by way of a holistic approach.”

An 18-year-old resident said: “The experience with the CIBC FirstCaribbean guests was nice. They were kind-hearted and the conversations were good as well as helpful. I can’t wait to see them again.”

His words were echoed by a 17-year-old resident who said: “I learned a lot today. The men taught us that first impressions are lasting impressions, to not let where we are now determine our future and to stay positive. I really appreciated this visit.”

Like the young men, each of the CIBC FirstCaribbean representatives has overcome trials and defied stereotypes. After expressing the highs and lows of manhood, they all shared boxes of the young men’s favorite food — pizza — and gifted the boys CIBC FirstCaribbean backpacks full of school and safety supplies.

Jermaine Sands, CIBC FirstCaribbean customer care and sales center manager, said: “It was a really enjoyable experience for us. There is so much potential in Colby House for Boys, and we are eager and committed to tapping into it.”

Kemar Polius, CIBC FirstCaribbean head of corporate banking, added: “The men of the bank are going to build on this momentum. We promise to follow through over the next couple months and help the young men transition out of the home and into the next phase of life.”