IN a display of community support and empowerment, the Sandals Montego Bay region hosted a Single Moms Pre-Valentine’s Day Luncheon, celebrating the strength and resilience of 10 ambitious yet less-fortunate women.

The event was made possible through the St James Municipal Corporation Poor Relief Department, which identified women from various backgrounds who, due to circumstances such as illness and loss, found themselves as single mothers, or on welfare.

“When I got the call from Sandals that they would like to host our ladies I was shocked but mostly excited. To think that they even considered us for something like this, words cannot even describe how grateful we are,” said Chickeira Robinson, Montego Bay poor relief officer.

Held in an elegant setting at Sandals Royal Caribbean’s Bombay restaurant, the luncheon was designed not only to treat these women to a luxurious experience but also to provide them with practical knowledge, motivation, and a sense of belonging, under the theme ‘Self-Love and Self-Improvement’.

Peron Sepersaud, Sandals Royal Caribbean (SRC) hotel manager, along with Front Office Manager Shana Spence, welcomed and escorted the ladies to the restaurant, setting the tone for a warm and uplifting afternoon.

“We are blessed to be able to take care of the members of our community, taking time to celebrate the strength and determination that you all possess. I am truly happy to welcome you to our resort, and I am proud to be part of a company that not only understands how critical your role is in society but also demonstrates the value of honouring such a deserving group of women,” Sepersaud said in his welcome address to the invitees.

The event featured a series of inspiring and educational sessions led by key speakers from SRC. Recruiting Manager Livern Greaves shared expert advice on acing job interviews, equipping the women with tools to help them and their children take the next step in their careers.

This was followed by Financial Controller Novlette Maxwell, who led a down-to-earth session on money management and budgeting, ensuring the women left with valuable financial wisdom.

Understanding that confidence is key to success, Red Lane Spa Manager Kimberly Hewitt delivered a talk on self-care and putting one’s best foot forward. To make the session even more engaging, she conducted a live make-up demonstration, selecting three of the women as models and showcasing simple yet effective ways to enhance their natural beauty.

As this was a regional event, Sandals Montego Bay General Manager Christopher Elliott also joined the celebration, delivering words of encouragement to the women.

In an unexpected and delightful twist, he raffled three complimentary day passes, allowing a few lucky attendees to return for a full day of relaxation and enjoyment at Sandals.

“Everything has been top tier from the moment we were greeted at the gate — the genuine smiles from the team members as we were escorted in and how we have been treated throughout the day,” said Davia Carty, a teachers’ college student and mother to an autistic child.

“One of the key takeaways for me was when the ‘money lady,’ Novlette, spoke. She shared several perspectives on saving and investing that I hadn’t even considered, which will certainly help me. Of course, the highlight of my day was being one of the lucky day-pass winners, and I cannot wait to make use of the prize and fully unwind. I am very grateful,” added Carty.

Sandals Royal Caribbean General Manager Dawn Smith also shared words of encouragement and presented the ladies with goodie bags as tokens of appreciation, ending the afternoon on a moving note and leaving the women inspired and uplifted.