'We have to work together'

Volunteers helping to unite a community plagued by gun violence were the latest recipients of the CableVision Community Service Award.

One Community Unified, a grassroots coalition of churches, community organizations and individuals, is stimulating regeneration in East Pembroke through community forums and youth outreach.

The movement began two years ago but was formally launched on January 16, 2010.

Through community events, family movie nights, school programmes, united church services and forums, it promotes communication in the neighbourhood.

Volunteers also go door-to-door to talk, offer prayer and support.

Premier Paula Cox said: “One Community Unified demonstrates leadership. They have committed to tackle tough issues and set an example.

“While Government can set the pace, it is the people who cause the change.”

Solidarity

Governor Sir Richard Gozney said: “One Community Unified deserves our praise for their attempts to restore solidarity within a particular corner of our community.

“This is important work for the island as a whole.”

Terry Roberson, CableVision general manager, praised the “extraordinary efforts” of the group’s members.

“By working to reestablish a sense of hope for those living in East Pembroke, One Community Unified has positively influenced those threatened by violence,” he said.

“I am confident that they will provide comfort to heal the wounds of this community from within.”

The company presented the group with a $5,000 donation at Saturday’s awards ceremony.

One Community Unified spokesman Reverend Nicholas Dill, of St. John’s Anglican Church, said: “It’s not about them, it’s about us. This is our Bermuda, these are our kids, these are our people.

“We have to work together to make a difference.”

The pastor said the work was “ongoing”.

“This is God’s work. It’s been a great journey, all of us working together,” he said.

“We look different but we have the same blood and we’re in it together.”

One Community Unified consists of: Evening Light Pentecostal Church; First Church of God; North Shore Gospel Chapel; Grace Methodist Church; Great Smith Hill Church; Heard Chapel; Heritage Worship Centre; House of Prayer ­International Ministries; Pembroke Seventh Day ­Adventist; St. Augustine’s Anglican Church; St. John’s Anglican Church; St. Mark’s Coptic Orthodox Church; St. Monica’s Anglican Church; Boulevard Sports Club; CARTEL; Bermuda Police Service’s Community Action Team, Central Parishes; Imagine Bermuda; North Village Community Trust; North Village Community Sports Club; Pembroke Parish Council; The Salvation Army and Michael Weeks, MP for Pembroke East ­Central.