The Urban Renewal Authority has officially launched the Youth Achievers Club (YAC), a groundbreaking initiative designed to unite all of its youth programs under one dynamic umbrella. The launch marks a major milestone in Urban Renewal’s mission to shape the lives of young Bahamians through empowerment, mentorship and community pride.
For decades, Urban Renewal has touched the lives of thousands of young people through programs such as speech competitions, the Urban Renewal Christian Movement, marching bands, mentorship initiatives and sports development. With YAC, these activities converge into a single powerful platform offering leadership training, academic support, cultural enrichment and opportunities for innovation.
The Grand Bahama launch on August 15, drew overwhelming community support, with a spirited march culminating in an inspiring pinning ceremony for boys and girls representing every settlement on the island. The event was standing room only, with Centre Managers, police officers, civic groups, and residents joining alongside government officials to celebrate this new beginning.
Minister for Grand Bahama, the Hon. Ginger Moxey, hailed the program as transformative saying, “I commend the Urban Renewal Authority for adopting a holistic approach to youth development. Grand Bahama is finally on the road to recovery, and this initiative has the potential to become a critical part of our island’s transformation promoting leadership training and reigniting community pride in our youth while encouraging academic excellence and sparking innovation.”
Minister of Housing and Urban Renewal, the Hon. Keith Bell, emphasized the importance of mentorship, discipline, and community support, echoing the government’s mandate of empowerment.
Minister Bell said, “Our Prime Minister gave us one word – ‘empowerment’.
“We must empower our youth to take this country to the next level. I came from a family of nine. It does not matter how you start – whether you come from a broken home, a single-family home or a nuclear family. It is how you finish. The Youth Achievers Club is about giving every young person the tools to finish strong.”
Minister Bell reminded the audience of the traditional “village” values that once shaped Bahamian communities and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to providing resources to sustain the program.
“If God is for you, who can be against you? We are here to support and ensure that each of you develop to your fullest potential. We want you to know that when we grew up we had the village concept, we knew what it was to have hand-me-downs.
“We had no cellphones; we had one telephone and when that rang only the oldest in the house could answer the phone. Now everyone has a cellphone.”
He added, “AI and social media may have replaced the village, but Urban Renewal is here to restore it. That is why we are launching the Youth Achievers Club — to ensure every young person has the support they need to thrive.”
The Urban Renewal Youth Achievers Club is now positioned as a cornerstone of the government’s progressive youth agenda, aligning with its Blueprint for Change and long-term vision of nation-building through the next generation.
By Shakara Trott/Bahamas Information Services
