The Bahamas Children’s Emergency Hostel (BCEH) is geared towards the overall growth and development of every child. Our home is designed to provide a loving environment and family atmosphere for every child in its care; working hard to promote relationships and to impart a spirit of responsibility in every member of the organization. Our mandate is to ensure that the children under our care have a strong foundation grounded in morals and principles, with emphasis on character building and social and relational skills.

Offering hope, shelter, and love in a world of abandonment.

Residency At The Bahamas Children Emergency Hostel

The average length of residency at The Bahamas Children Emergency Hostel is one year. The children attend worship services each Sunday and all school-age children attend public schools.The Home is ideally capable of housing approximately 35 children at any given time. In the past, before additional space was constructed, over 50 children would be accommodated at any given time. A continuous challenge is securing funds to operate and maintain the facility which houses a nursery, boys and girls dorms, kitchen, dining area, storage areas and administrative offices.

ABOUT US

Brief History

The Bahamas Children's Emergency Hostel was established in 1962 by the Bahamas Christian Council. Its founders were the late Dean William Granger, Mr. and Mrs. Hedden, Thomas Brooks, and Pastor William Nairn. The initial site was in Oakes Field. In May 1968, The Bahamas Children Emergency Hostel was closed due to financial difficulties. However, under the new leadership of the Kiwanis Club of Nassau, it reopened in Jannuury 1969 on its present site McKinney Drive. The Bahamas Children's Emergency Hostel was incorporated in April 1970. The purpose was to provide emergency and temporary shelter for abandoned, neglected, and abused children aged six weeks to eleven years by providing temporary accommodation, food, clothing, medical care, and other necessities until more permanent arrangements could be made for their welfare.

According to the Chairman, Arthur T. Peet, “The institution is a home away from home”. Mr. Peet asserts the word 'home' in describing the facility, as it is more than just a shelter and rather functions to replace the biological environment the children are forced to leave. Day to day operations are run by the business manager Charlene Gibson and the Administrator appointed by The Ministry of Social Services along with the help of the administrative staff and a full-time staff complement of 12.

Board Members

Arthur Peet, Chairman and President Appointed 1975.
Ronald Thompson, Secretary Appointed 1992.
Philip B. Stubbs, Treasurer Appointed 1982.

Other board members include Mark Brown (Appointed 2020), Julian Bostwick (Appointed 2018), and Jonique Reckley (Appointed 2022)

Our vision is that all abandoned and abused children are provided with the essential elements to ensure their growth, development, spiritual, mental, and social well-being. The welfare of the children are given the highest priority - and it is for their benefit that The Bahamas Children Emergency Hostel was established.

To provide adequate care and shelter in a loving, productive environment for children from birth to eleven years.