Strengthening the Community
For more than 25 years, Disney has made significant contributions to support communities in The Bahamas in a variety of ways.
- Bahamian Ownership – Disney recognizes the importance of building generational wealth and is committed to helping small businesses and entrepreneurs maximize economic opportunities.
- Disney has entered into an agreement with the National Small Business Development Centre and the Eleuthera Chamber of Commerce, providing more than $1 million (over three years) to fund a new Eleuthera Business Center and provide business development advisory services, business communication training, customer service training, business mentorship and other programming designed to prepare startups and small businesses for participation in development projects underway in Central and South Eleuthera, including Lighthouse Point. Through this initiative, the Access Accelerator Small Business Development Centre and Disney Cruise Line awarded $175,000 in small business grants to more than 44 Central and South Eleuthera businesses in 2021.
- Education/Workforce Development – Disney is committed to supporting education in The Bahamas and continues to work with the Ministry of Education to inspire and educate the next generation of professionals.
- For many years, we have engaged in back-to-school initiatives to inspire and empower young people across The Bahamas to be successful in school and in life. This year, as part of its commitment to inspire the next generation while creating lasting, positive impact in The Bahamas, DCL recently donated school supplies to nearly 1,000 students across Abaco, near Disney Castaway Cay and in Eleuthera. And in 2022, in celebration of the Disney Wish, we launched our Wishes Set Sail program. DCL donated school supplies to schools across Abaco and Eleuthera, and during the holidays, to promote literacy through reading visits and book donations. Crew members also visited Ranfurly Homes for Children to spread joy, share gifts and welcome Capt. Mickey.
- Disney Cruise Line (DCL) has supported the LJM Maritime Academy for many years as part of its commitment to inspire the next generation of seafarers while creating a lasting positive impact in The Bahamas. Since 2019, DCL has sponsored LJM Maritime Academy cadet scholarships for young adults aspiring to become ship captains and shipboard leaders. The scholarships cover tuition for the three-year LJM Maritime Academy program, which includes two years of study at the academy and one year of service aboard a Disney ship.
- Additionally, in 2020, Disney Cruise Line donated 230 tablets to students in need throughout South Abaco and South Eleuthera. The tablets are intended not only to assist students with their day-to-day learning but improve their overall educational experience.
- As part of Disney’s commitment to support youth development across Eleuthera, Disney has contributed more than $30,000 to Junior Achievement Bahamas in 2021. The contribution will ensure even more Bahamian children have the ability to participate in programs focused on financial literacy, entrepreneurship, college preparedness and work readiness.
- DCL worked with Junior Achievement Bahamas, funding curriculums including financial literacy, entrepreneurship, college preparedness and work readiness programs. We’re dedicated to inspiring young Bahamians and empowering the next generation to follow their career dreams. In collaboration with Junior Achievement Bahamas and The Bahamas Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, Disney Cruise Line and local students from 10 schools in Eleuthera worked together to celebrate the Junior Junkanoo competition. In addition to providing funding and donating materials to support the Eleuthera Junior Junkanoo competition, Disney Cruise Line hosted a series of virtual, interactive workshops for students to pair up with Disney professionals, who specialize in costuming, cosmetology and entertainment, to exchange ideas and learn from each other about Junkanoo and costume design.
- In 2019, Disney Cruise Line sponsored and participated in Culinary Week at the University of The Bahamas, an event that is vital to the Culinary Arts and Tourism Studies (CATS) curriculum.
- Disney Cruise Line has worked with Urban Renewal in Eleuthera to provide computers and other needs for after school programs, and has hosted students and chaperones from Preston H. Albury Secondary School for college visits in Florida.
- Promoting Culture – Disney Cruise Line is committed to celebrating the culture and spirit of The Bahamas. For example,
- Disney Cruise Line is working with the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture to encourage participation in Junior Junkanoo in Eleuthera, which will be prominent in the design of Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point. For the past two years, Disney has supported local Eleuthera school groups’ participation in the National Junior Junkanoo.
- Conservation – Disney has long been committed to protecting the environment in The Bahamas, donating millions of dollars from the Disney Conservation Fund. For more than 15 years, several experts from Disney’s Animals, Science and Environment team have been engaged in significant conservation work in The Bahamas in partnership with local organizations and scientists.
- The Disney Conservation Fund has given more than $6 million to support education, research and conservation projects in The Bahamas. Disney’s Animals, Science and Environment team is supporting an initiative to rehabilitate coral reefs in The Bahamas that has been underway since 2007, supporting summer eco camps and community engagement efforts in Abaco and providing conservation curriculum support for Bahamian school children.
- Disney Cruise Line has hired two Bahamian wildlife conservation experts who lead the implementation of the project’s environmental management plan and local conservation strategies within The Bahamas, particularly at Lighthouse Point.
- Other Community Needs – Disney Cruise Line continues to engage in efforts to support community needs.
- Disney Cruise Line made significant contributions to Hurricane Dorian relief and recovery efforts, including a $1 million donation to non-profit organizations and more than $500,000 in supplies for impacted communities delivered by Disney ships and direct assistance to Disney’s Bahamian employees.
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