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BTC starts off Autism Awareness Month in fine style

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#PROVIDENCIALES, Turks & Caicos Islands, April 23, 2023 – Autism is a complex brain disorder that often avoids a person’s ability to communicate, respond to surroundings, and form relationship with others.  The month of April is being celebrated by Beaches Turks and Caicos (BTC) and the world as Autism Awareness month. The all-inclusive family resort, is the Caribbean’s first Autism-Friendly Kids Camp and is currently partnered with the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES), a global leader in online training and certification programmes.

BTC since 2021 is now an advanced certified autism centre which has ranked the resort at a level of understanding various behaviour patterns of children or adults on the spectrum. For the month of April, the Kids Camp will seek to bring more awareness to celebrate with families who have children or adults who are on the spectrum. These families will be able to enjoy their vacation at any of the three Beaches resorts in the Caribbean with the assurance of knowing that they will have a secure environment for all to enjoy.

Children’s Activities Manager for the Beaches Resorts in the Caribbean, Fedeline Julien shared, “in our Kids Camp all activities are inclusive. Currently, we interact with the parents prior to them arriving at our resorts to have the necessary information needed to provide a meaningful experience for the family. If necessary, we may assign a Beaches Buddies, accredited staff members who can join the family for an hour, a day, or for their entire stay, at an additional cost, to help in providing additional care for the family with the child or adult on the spectrum.”

“For this year, we had the launch recently, which was celebrated as World Autism Awareness Day. Each Sunday throughout April, we will be having sensitization sessions at our family shows for the parents and team members at the resort. There will be craft sessions in the Kids Camp with sensory material, daily finger painting in the craft studio, meet and greet with Julia, our Sesame Character who is also on the spectrum, and paint parties with Julia and friends,” Julien added.

General Manager James McAnally, noted, “here at BTC, our child care staff continuously receive competency training in order to provide for our guests with special needs. BTC recently received Advanced Certified Autism Centre accreditation, which has stipulated that at least one team member from each department must be autism certified. Our Kids Camps ensure that team members have the required knowledge, skills, temperament and expertise to cater to all children and offer age-specific programmes for infants, toddlers, pre-teens and teens.”

Beaches Buddy and 15-year veteran in the Kids Camp, Ismay Brown shared, “being able to care for these children and adults who are on the spectrum has been an absolute pleasure. When families decide to come to BTC to enjoy their vacations, each department is engaged in helping them to have an experience of a lifetime. These guests on the spectrum simply do things in their own special way. We are truly an all-inclusive resort and this allows us to be trained to deal with different behaviours and needs at all times.”

Beaches is the first company in the world to complete the rigorous IBCCES training and Autism certification. The resort offers guests with cognitive disabilities the opportunity to more comfortably navigate the on-resort experience through specialised services, engaging activities and customized dining options.

News

New Honour coming for JAGS; Cabinet agrees to re-name Grand Turk road 

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Turks and Caicos, May 11, 2025 – Her Excellency, Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam chaired the 4th meeting of Cabinet held on Wednesday March 19, 2025, at the Hon NJS Francis Building, Grand Turk. All members of Cabinet were present with the exception of the Minister for Innovation, Communication and E-Government, Hon. Erwin Jay Saunders and the Attorney General, Hon. Rhondalee Braithwaite-Knowles, with Ms. Khalila Astwood attending as Acting Attorney General.

At this meeting Cabinet:

  • Approved an amendment to the Cost-of-Living Relief Policy to include a provision for the issuance of cheques to deceased persons estate.
  • Approved a moratorium on the issuance of new business licenses in the contractor’s category with non-Turks and Caicos Islander involvement.
  • Approved an MOU with the Department for Transport of the United Kingdom and the Turks and Caicos Islands to support the implementation of internationally recognized maritime security standards.
  • Noted an information paper on the turn-key housing pilot project.
  • Approved the naming of the Old Airport on Grand Turk to the JAGS McCartney Memorial Drive.
  • Approved the naming of the bridges on West Road and Church Folly to Alexander Forbes Bridge and The Austin Robinson Bridge respectively, and adjacent roads the Carl Coverly Drive and Davis Higgs Drive.
  • Noted the awarding of contracts:

o   PN 005823, TR 24/33 Consultancy Services for the National Identification System-Subject Matter Expert

o   TCIAA 012/24, TR 24/36 JAGS McCartney International Airport Fire Hall (Phase II)

  • Approved an application for lease to construct and operate resort communities on the island of Salt Cay.
  • Approved settlement agreements for former civil servant Court Matters.
  • Approved the appointment of Ms. Cynara John as the Interim Secretary to the Turks and Caicos Islanders Status Commission.
  • Approved the Law Revision (Miscellaneous Amendment) Bill 2025 for further submission to Parliament.
  • Approved the purchase of the Temple Trust building on Providenciales.

Further information on these matters will be presented by Ministers in due course.

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Archbishop Broglio welcomes Pope Leo XIV: ‘A shepherd for a troubled world’

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From Vatican News

Archbishop Timothy Broglio, President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, expresses joy and gratitude following the election of Pope Leo XIV.

By Marie Duhamel and Linda Bordoni

Speaking to Vatican News shortly after the announcement of the election of Pope Leo XIV from the loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica, Archbishop Broglio, President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, said he was “very pleased with the choice of the cardinals,” acknowledging his surprise at the outcome but affirming his deep sense of happiness and trust in the new pontificate.

“I certainly offer a prayer for Pope Leo,” he said, “and pray for the beginning of his mission and for its success.”

rchbishop Broglio shared that he had met Pope Leo XIV during official visits to Rome as part of his role with the bishops’ conference, recalling a man marked by warmth, openness, and a genuine desire to collaborate, as well as during the Synod on Synodality.

“On both occasions,” he noted, “he was very cordial and demonstrated a great desire to be helpful and work together. I was very grateful for that.”

What is in a name?

The choice of the name “Leo” evokes rich associations with Church history, particularly Pope Leo XIII, remembered for his groundbreaking work on Catholic social teaching and his encyclical Rerum Novarum.

“It sparks the memory of Leo XIII,” Archbishop Broglio reflected, “who was the first pope to enunciate in a clear fashion the social doctrine of the Church.”

The name also speaks to the new Pope’s roots. “Since Leo came from the neighbourhood of Rome, I think the people of Rome, primarily, will be very happy,” he said.

A call for peace

Highlighting the state of the world today, Archbishop Broglio stressed the need for the Pope to be a voice for peace and dialogue amid the many crises unfolding across the globe.

“I think all of us are extremely troubled by the by the situations that continue to ignite in our world. I think now of Pakistan and  India, but we also have this disaster in Ukraine and in the Middle East, and so many parts of Africa. So that he would speak of peace, I think is essential. And I hope that he will be a pontiff who can further peace and dialogue in our world,” he said.

A united Church

Reflecting on Pope Leo XIV’s words about a united Church, Archbishop Broglio agreed that this message is also important for the people of the United States.

“One of the things we have to learn is to listen to each other,” he said. “We may disagree, but each person is created in the image of God, and that should never be lost. I hope we hear his message as an invitation to be unified and to become instruments of dialogue.”

A universal shepherd

Archbishop Broglio also commented on Pope Leo’s international background—French and Italian by heritage, with pastoral experience in Latin America—as a gift to his universal ministry.

“I think it’s excellent,” he said. “Living in different parts of the world makes a big difference. It brings depth, perspective, and a richness that will help him guide the Church.”

He added that such global experience helps keep the Church from becoming “lost in its own backyard.”

A Pastor for all

Noting the Pope’s decision to speak in Italian during his first public address, Archbishop Broglio remarked on the pastoral significance of language.

“As the Bishop of Rome, I think it’s important he spoke Italian,” he said, while also acknowledging the comfort this choice brings to Spanish-speaking Catholics, especially in light of the recent passing of Pope Francis. “It will be reassuring to see that their new pastor can reach their hearts as well.”

Concluding, Archbishop Broglio offered prayers for Pope Leo XIV: “I wish him tranquillity and every success in his ministry.”

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Government

Paula Virgil-Stubbs Appointed Executive Administrator in The Office of The Deputy Governor

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Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – The Office of the Deputy Governor of the Turks and Caicos Islands is pleased to announce the appointment of Mrs. Paula Virgil-Stubbs as Executive Administrator in the Office of the Deputy Governor.

Mrs. Virgil-Stubbs brings a wealth of experience and a strong professional background to her new position. Holding an Associate’s Degree in Business Administration from the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College, she has continually demonstrated her commitment to professional development through a series of advanced training programs. Most recently, she completed the Administrative Excellence course offered by the Turks and Caicos Islands Training Department, further sharpening her leadership and office management skills.

Her career within the Turks and Caicos Islands Government (TCIG) began at the Grand Turk Post Office, where she worked as a sales-clerk. After relocating to Providenciales and gaining valuable experience in the private sector, she returned to TCIG in 2018, joining the Office of the Premier as an Administrative Officer. Over the years, she quickly advanced, taking on the role of Senior Administrative Officer in 2021 before stepping into the position of Assistant Protocol Officer.

As Executive Administrator, Mrs. Virgil-Stubbs will play a key role in managing the day-to-day operations of the Deputy Governor’s Office. This includes organizing and coordinating meetings, managing appointments and the Deputy Governor’s diary, and providing critical administrative support to ensure the smooth operation of the office. Additionally, Mrs. Virgil-Stubbs will assist with high-level administrative tasks, including handling correspondence, organizing events, and managing administrative functions with the utmost professionalism.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          In commenting on her new appointment, Mrs. Virgil Stubbs stated, “As I begin this new chapter in my career as Executive Administrator within the Deputy Governor Officer, I want to first give thanks to God for making this opportunity possible. I am deeply grateful to my family for their unwavering love, support, and constant encouragement to strive for excellence. This moment truly shows that hard work and dedication pay off. I am also sincerely thankful to the Turks and Caicos Island Government for entrusting me with this new role. I look forward to embracing the opportunity to apply my skills and knowledge while continuing to grow, learn, and gain valuable experience in this position. I am committed to serving with integrity, professionalism, and pride.”

Deputy Governor and Head of the Public Service, H.E. Anya Williams, congratulated Mrs. Virgil-Stubbs, stating, “It gives me great pleasure to officially announce and congratulate Mrs. Paula Virgil-Stubbs on her appointment as Executive Administrator in my office. As Executive Administrator, Mrs. Virgil-Stubbs will manage multiple administrative tasks, from coordinating my schedule to providing key support during meetings and events. Paula has proven herself to be a diligent and reliable public servant. I am confident that her experience and dedication will undoubtedly be an asset to my office and the entire public service.

Welcome to our team, and congratulations on your new appointment, Paula!”

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