The Celebrate Recovery Center began in 2005 with Rev. Godfrey and Deacon Elmena Bethell while serving in the Central Eleuthera Region of the Methodist Church. It started as an outreach ministry to troubled youth, school children, teen mothers and persons challenged with alcohol abuse, with each being able to obtain help and support such as counseling for anger management, conflict resolution and substance abuse. Those who suffered from alcohol abuse were afforded the chance to join others similarly challenged in the Friends of Bill W. Seniors were also able to get care and participate in the annual luncheon that ended each year. The Bethell’s left Eleuthera for a new appointment in Nassau in 2009.

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Recognizing the need to continue the vital work started in Eleuthera, the BCMC, under the Center for Leadership, Education and Training, (C-LET) launched the Institute for Peace and Justice in October 2010. The motivation was born out of a response to two gruesome murders of outstanding citizens of our country in October and November 2008. The intent was to provide alternative means of intervention for young people and first-time offenders in the Bahamas, those who are challenged with school, parents, community and the juvenile court system.
 

The programme is modeled after several in the USA and Canada such as American Marine Institute or AMI Kids and the P.A.C.T in Toronto, Canada respectively. Further inspiration came from the Conference on Juvenile Justice at Emory University, Candler School of Theology, Atlanta, GA, and a speech given by Marian Edelman Wright, director of the Children’s Defence Fund, C.D.F in Washington, DC.

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The Peace & Justice Programme has several main components such as
   • An Alternative Sentencing Programme for first-time offenders (11-13) years of age and (14-18) years of age
   • Assistance to Senior High School Students and the Staff and Counselors who experience discipline issues and those          on suspension from school
   • Counseling and coaching for parents, guardians, and family members experiencing disciplinary, relational and behavioral problems with adolescents

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Over the past two years we have assisted the Central Eleuthera High School, Department of Social Services, The Magistrates Courts, Families and Communities on many occasions, with counseling, coaching and mentoring for young people and the fostering of leadership training for youth and adults through C-LET, from time to time. Our primary resource has been The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People and The 8th Habit by Stephen R. Covey and 7 Habits for Highly Effective Teens by Sean Covey.
 

In 2012 we introduced a new book, The Laws of Life by Author John Marks Templeton. It is an inspirational collection of 200 Eternal Spiritual Principles, quotes and maxims by various authors to help guide and order our daily lives.  We highly recommend this for males and young men and those particularly challenged with self esteem and character development issues.
 

We believe these will help in breaking the cycle of crime with alternative opportunities, provide basic life skills through counseling, coaching and mentoring, help to minimize conflicts with the law, families, school and society, reuse skills to enable individuals to live in harmony with peers and the larger community, and transform young offenders to give back to the community
 

The Institute for Peace and Justice continues to maintain an active presence in Eleuthera. Under the leadership of Deacon Colin Moss, a 2010 graduate of the Center for Leadership, Education and Training, its current Director, it stands ready to partner with people and community agencies, churches and the Government to collaborate and address the issues that confront residents in their daily lives, from Harbour Island and Spanish Wells in the North To Bannerman Town in the South.

          

​The Recovery Center

Governor’s Harbour, Eleuthera, Bahamas
Ph. 1(242)332-3333 Mobile: 242-454-4849
Email. cmoss@bahamasmethdoist.org or colmos70@hotmail.com