HistoryBarbados Overseas Community-Canada Inc. (BOCC), a non profit organization, was officially launched in April 1984, after several months of intense planning by a number of dedicated individuals who realized there was a void in the Barbadian Community in Toronto. Subsequently, BOCC became incorporated in 1984.
Throughout the years, BOCC had six (6) Presidents. The first President, Mr. Gline Clarke, went on to be a Minister in the Barbados Labour Party government. The other five (5) Presidents were Messrs. Cecil Cox, Denis Holder, Winfield Brewster, Mark Carrington, Steve Kirton and our active President Mrs. Jessica Carrington, who became the first woman President, a position she has held since 1999. In 1992, during Mark Carrington’s presidency and under the chairperson of Mr. Karl Griffith, the youth group was formed as an extension to the adults. One of the main focuses of the youth group was to create and maintain an awareness of the Barbadian culture and heritage, and equip them with the tools to interact with other Barbadians living in Canada. The youth group’s then President, Miss Susan Richards, now Mrs. Susan Richards Morgan led this group of over 25 dancers and drummers under the direction of Mr. Keith Pascall’s choreography. Mr. Pascall has been with the group since inception until early 2010. The group held meetings on the first Friday night of each month, but as with many groups, they mature and go into the work force. The key focus is to continue to recruit young people. Since inception the dancers and drummers continue to perform at various events throughout the greater Toronto, from as far as Calgary, Winnipeg, Montréal and Hamilton. In 2009, they performed at the National Council of Barbadian Associations in Canada Inc. annual conference, which was held in Ottawa. In 2009 we celebrated our 25th Anniversary with a Banquet & Dance. Our theme “Celebrating Our Past…Building Our Future” will assist us as we move forward into the future. To this end, we have much to be thankful for, but we cannot rest on our laurels, we must look to the future and face the challenges as they occur. BOCC continues its traditional Bajan Night event which is held the first weekend of September. This year 2010 we are celebrating the 25th Anniversary. BOCC is a member of the National Council of Barbadians Associations In Canada Inc. (NCBAC). Our Moto “Together we Strive, Together we Achieve”. | Contributions BOCC has always been an active participant in the promotion of Community events. In 1986 we hosted school children from Barbados to Canada and in 1997 assisted the physically challenged athletes from Barbados, who were in Canada for the Olympic Games. We have also participated in Barbados on the Water, Scarborough Canada Day Festivities and in the Barbados’ Independence flag raising ceremonies at City Hall. We continue to give charitably both in Canada and Barbados, to groups such as:
- Heart and Stroke Foundation - British Methodist Episcopal Church - Churches Outreach Programs in Canada and Barbados - St Philip-the-Less Anglican Church in Barbados - Cancer Society of Barbados and Canada - Assisting a member who lost personal belongings in a fire - Herbie Fund - Sickle Cell Association (Ont.) Research - Providing wheelchairs for the physically challenged in Barbados - Assisting the farm labourers from Barbados who lost their personal belongings in a fire - Provide support to children arriving from Barbados to receive treatment at Sick Kids Hospital - Providing scholarships to youth who have gain acceptance to Institution of higher learning - Donated towards Dialysis Machine for Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Barbados - Assisting individuals with payment of medical bills while in Canada |
