National

Introducing Laurel House

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Leslie Cancino has opened her own home to young women who have aged out of Ranfurly hoping to be a launch pad for their future.

Published

4 years ago

July 31, 2022

Our News

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – When Leslie Cancino filled in for a friend as a volunteer at the Ranfurly Home for Children, she had no idea she’d be affected so deeply by her time there. Since then, she has opened her own home to young women who have aged out of Ranfurly hoping to be a launch pad for their future as independent women. Our Marlena Leonard visited Cancino this week to learn more about the story of Laurel House.

We first heard about laurel house last week, when Leslie Cancino received a donation at a Rotary Club of East Nassau luncheon.

This week, we got to sit down with Mrs. Cancino to get the full story of Laurel House and some of the young women who have lived there.

Cancino originally started as a temporary volunteer doing crafts with the children at Ranfurly Home, but says she quickly forged lasting relationships with them. When recently aged-out girls found themselves in trouble, she quickly opened her own doors to help.

But, Cancino offers more than just a place to stay, she works to teach these young women life skills like budgeting, opening a bank account, navigating public transport, job interview skills, and bill paying.

Cancino realized it may be time for them to have their own space. There was an unused guest house in the backyard, but it would need to be torn down and rebuilt to be livable again.

Help and donations came in droves, with some construction and plumbing companies offering donations in kind, upon hearing of Cancino’s imagined Laurel House.

Tune in next Sunday for part two on how Laurel House is changing lives, and how you can donate to the cause.