NASSAU, BAHAMAS — With a passion for the community and supporting Bahamian youth, Oaktree Medical Center Medical Director Dr Don D Deveaux and General Manager Kristi Deveaux partnered with the iYES Foundation for a sizable donation of $320,000 for the establishment of an indoor 8,500-square-foot, YMCA-style, technology-enhanced learning and sports facility primarily developed for inner-city youths on New Providence.
iYES Foundation Executive Director Marvin Henfield explained: “That 13-year-old today on the path to illiteracy, in five years could possibly be an angry 18-year-old man with one or two things in his hand — a gun or a knife.
“This partnership with Oaktree Medical Center will allow the iYES Foundation to begin to mitigate some of the social demise we are experiencing.”
His comments resonated loudly as some believe the country is experiencing increasing levels of “social decay” due to many young adults feeling hopeless, coupled with the sharp economic downturn and joblessness due to COVID-19 pandemic. However, the solutions to these massive challenges are not insurmountable when hope, vision and generosity intertwine.
Henfield noted: “For us, this is a game changer. This allows us to be able to manifest our vision of creating the first YMCA-style facility here in The Bahamas and gives us the ability to touch thousands of lives on a weekly basis.
“In the ‘80s, we were taught as kids to say ‘no’ to drugs but they never taught us what to say ‘yes’ to.”
The “I say YES” after-school programme is designed to teach kids to say “yes” to their dreams, to their future, to their purpose and to their education. The space will provide year-round academic assistance, training and development for young men and women to help them develop physically, socially and spiritually.
Kristi Deveaux shared her appreciation for the opportunity to partner with the iYES Foundation on this project.
“We believe in the vision of the Foundation and are grateful to be able to step alongside you,” she said.
“Dr Deveaux and I decided to take this leap because we want to be connected to something that is a refuge for young people. We understand as a child what it was like to struggle at times, however, we were able to make it out and given a chance to succeed. As a result, we want to do the same for children who might not have anyone else to provide a safe haven for them.”
Chairman of the iYES Foundation Board Peter Rutherford reflected on how many of the iYES board members and associated partners are former athletes who benefited from the community and are now able to give back to the same community that blessed them. He also expressed his gratitude to the Deveauxs for their generous donation.
“To the principals of Oaktree Medical Center, it is with a gracious heart that we accept this gift. It is not normal that we see partners step up in such a generous manner and to that we say thank you,” he said.
“Rest assured that stewardship and accountability are the mantras by which we will carry out our duties.”
Don Deveaux lamented the pains and challenges he sees in the community due to societal decay, the pandemic and current economic downturn.
“During this pandemic, so many children are suffering and as a result, here at Oaktree, we are not trying to just treat the medical side — we are treating the community,” he said.
“We want to be a pillar in our community to help people. For us, we asked the question: ‘What is the next big investment?’ It is not another hotel or technology; it is actually investing in the human soul. That, to us, is the most important investment we can actually make in the community.
“As Bahamians, we must come together and save this nation at this critical time. I want to encourage corporate Bahamas to continue to sow into the worthy causes which support and uplift our young people.”
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