Corporate Social Responsibility

At Courts we believe in generating value for our society, and we know that each interaction carries with it the possibility of creating something great, of leaving a mark on the lives of one or more people.
As part of our Sustainability strategy, we continue to provide support to communities, under our Social Pillar, assuming our role as a change agent and thus being able to continue fulfilling this important responsibility. In addition, our social responsibility and sustainability strategy we developed activities that build social, economic, and environmental value.
We continue taking giant steps through the implementation of various Corporate Social Responsibility Programs, some of which are:

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Social Value

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MAY 2023

SOLIDARITY PROGRAM

The Solidarity Program aims to support our communities in situations of national emergency that affect their quality of life and physical integrity.

Our commitment to our communities moves us to aid our staff members, people and/or vulnerable groups who have suffered material damage, giving them what they need to get ahead in times of crisis.

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MAY 2023

COURTS DONATE TO COAST GUARD

Courts St. Vincent Limited known and appreciated for outstanding service to the Country has partner with the St Vincent & the Grenadines Coast Guard Service during the activities surrounding Coast Guard Service 35th Anniversary. The latest of such ventures is the donation of grocery hampers to the needy and less fortunate individuals across the Country.

“Giving back to Vincentians has always been a priority of the company as this is part of our Corporate Social responsibility” said Courts Commercial Officer, Ms Lisa Veira.

The realization of a need that went way beyond a simple donation could not have been misplaced, however, the joy of receiving such a gift from Courts, translated into hugs and cries of joy from all recipients.

For more information on the many initiatives undertaken by Courts, visit us on Facebook at facebook.com/courtsst.vincent. For exclusive offers and deals, shop online at www.shopcourts.com.

COURTS REINTRODUCES “WISH LIST” CAMPAIGN UNDER THE THEME “CONTINUE THE TRADITIONS”

In a period when the economic crisis businesses face worldwide prompts a careful review of companies financial spending, St. Vincent’s leading retailer of top – brand Appliances, Electronics and Furniture products Courts; announces plans to donate thousands of dollars’ worth of goods to the needy island wide...

The campaign dubbed “Courts Wish List” was officially launched in 2010 with one primary focus; modifying the lives of those persons directly affected by Hurricane Tomas in St. Lucia and St. Vincent. More than fifty persons benefitted from this venture that year in the two islands, some receiving brand news cookers, fridges and sofa’s with the majority receiving beds and mattresses. This tied in with the company’s corporate social responsibility which focuses on poverty alleviation in St. Vincent.

The “Courts Wish List” campaign is made possible through a joint collaboration with local radio & TV stations, the public and the company. Persons are invited to call – in, send e-mails or letters requesting a donation of a household appliance, furniture or electrical item. The request however must be on behalf of someone else; someone whom you believe deserve to have their wish come true for this Christmas, by way of receiving a household item from Courts.

The campaign was officially launched on Tuesday December 1st on a popular radio station in St. Vincent. Letters, e-mails and calls poured in, each emotionally charged as they told of stories of hardships, obstacles, trials, but above all, stories of resilience and perseverance. The narratives and phone calls captured the determination of persons who lived with daily challenges and would be heartened by the joy and surprise of receiving a “Courts Christmas wish-list” item. The recipients received items to include kettles, beds, stoves, refrigerators and washers, as well as hampers complete with essential supplies to meet daily requirements.

Courts Commercial Officer Lisa Veira expressed her gratitude to the well-wishers and recipients who made this initiative a reality.

“We traversed through tough terrain, coming across high levels of poverty at every stop. This is why we are extremely happy to give back and to be able to bring smiles and in some cases tears to the faces of the recipients of these gift packages.This was an awesome and eye opening experience for many of the staff members who went out on this drive. We helped a bit of persons but we have only scratched the surface. We at Courts give every day, every week, every month, but it’s an overwhelming privilege for us to give back on such a large scale. We look forward to doing this again next year” Veira said.

Visit us on Facebook on Facebook.com/courtsst.vincent or shop online at www.shopcourts.com.

We would love to hear from you!

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COURTS WE CARE!

St. Vincent and the Grenadine’s leading retailers of the world’s best brands in Electronics, Appliances and Furniture products Courts, shows a softer side of the company as they welcome students from the School for Children with Special Needs to their doors.

Four students from the Special Needs School experienced what it felt like to be a temporary employee of the superstore. Mr Andrick Arthur who is hearing impaired was assigned to the Bargain Centre where he learnt how to deal with customers looking to get the best Bargain. Mr Jamal Mitchell who is also hearing impaired was educated on customer service as he was assigned to the sales department. The lone female of the group, Ms Daleesha Patterson was assigned to the Credit department where she was taught how to approve sales. Mr Nigel Quashie was assigned to the head office as an assistant Office Assistant.

The students will be rotated and reassigned to the company’s departments every week in an effort to enhance and develop their abilities to become employees in a workforce. This experience will prove to be essential as the students get set to occupy kep positions in the workforce in months to come.

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NOVEMBER 2015

COURTS SUPPORTS KETTLE APPEAL

Furniture and Electrical Superstore – Courts St Vincent Ltd have pledged their support to the Salvation Army Annual Kettle appeal. The launching took place on Nov 13th 2015 outside the General Post Office in Kingstown.

This year the organisation is hoping to raise $100000 to support the many programmes that they operate (Day Care Centre, Pre School, School Feeding Programme, Orphaned Children’s home at Buccament)

At Christmas over 100 food parcels are donated to the elderly, shut -in and less fortunate.

$5000 was handed over to Major Antoine by Commercial Assistant Indra Grant on behalf of Courts St Vincent Ltd.

“True happiness comes not from what we receive but from what we give- we are very pleased to support Major and the tremendous work they do here in St Vincent. The Salvation Army has been operating here for over 113 years and a lot of Vincentians benefit from their outreach programme. This year we are happy to play a greater role in this appeal”

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SEPTEMBER 2015

COURTS DONATES OVER $50,000 WORTH OF PRODUCTS TO VICTIMS OF TROPICAL STORM ERIKA

After taking stock of the havoc Tropical Storm Erika wreaked on the Nature isle of Dominica, the management of Courts OECS pledges support of over $50,000 in products to the victims who need them most. The recipients were identified by the Red Cross Organisation and over the next week, Courts will be working closely with the organisation, to get the items to those persons identified.

The donation will come in the form of mattresses and table-top cookers. Residents of Petite Savanne, who had to be evacuated as a result of the damage caused by the storm, will be amongst the recipients of this huge donation by Courts. The donation comes at a crucial period where sleeping comfort and food emergences are of paramount concern. Courts will be shipping mattresses from its operations in Antigua and St.Vincent via the Red Cross in these islands to get to Dominica early next week. The donation of stoves was handed over to the Red Cross in Dominica this week.

Employees of the superstore were not left without assistance as those affected were visited by Senior Management and received assistance in the form of household essentials and groceries.

Courts would like to extend condolences to the families of persons who lost loved ones as a result of the storm as it pledges this support to the people of Dominica. Together we can work to help our country return to some level of normalcy and we encourage all to join the efforts and pledge support to Dominica.

Courts Bringing Value Home!

Courts Dominica Limited continues its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) to the Dominican public. On Friday 15th of March, 2013 we will continue our CSR program under branding C-CAP Courts Community Action Partnership, this project was launched in August of 2011.

We want to undertake a new project on an annual basis outside of the company’s regular Donation budget. Courts will put aside an undisclosed sum of money to do a major project in any one community.

Community Action Partnership (CAP) is expected to bring communities and Courts together engaging both parties in community building partnerships for the greater good. The company will make available the funds and the staff will provide the labour/support for the project. Courts hopes by venturing into that area of social responsibility that they will be able to foster greater bonds of unity with the community and complement socialising among staff and community while fostering change within its environment.

Over the years we have gone through great lengths to assist the less fortunate in our community through day-to-day donations, “Big Hearts” and most recently “Christmas Hampers and “Courts Wish List”, these gestures on our part have undoubtedly made a big difference in the lives of our fellow men but this year, we will be going more in-depth, taking a hands-on approach with a repeat of Big Hearts.

This year, we have selected the:

1. Colihaut Primary School

2. Alpha Centre

 Both institutions are well-deserving of a make-over and assistance .

The Objective of this project is to work in partnership with local communities to eliminate the causes and conditions of poverty as well as to promote Courts, as not only number one in furniture and appliances but number one in community service support

JUNE 2015

COURTS GIVES BACK

Staff of furniture and appliance store Courts St Vincent spent their spare time last Saturday at the St Benedict's Day Nursery, painting the playground, and making a donation to the institution.

Apart from the work done on the playground, Courts also donated two sewing machines, to be used by the staff to repair and make clothing for the children, as well as to produce items as part of the nursery’s fundraising.

Administrator of the facility, Sister Nyra Anne said that the staff and children were very thankful for the assistance, and noted that the children were especially excited by the colourful facelift given to the playground.

Sister Nyra Anne, thanked Courts for the gesture, and expressed her hope that other organizations would do likewise and assist the nursery. This is the second Corporate Social Responsibility project that Courts has embarked on this year to date.

Courts made a similar trip to the Salvation Army’s children’s home in Pembroke last month

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JUNE 2015

SWEET RETREAT FOR GUADALUPE HOME FOR GIRLS

Proceeds from sales of bedding products in Courts latest promotion Sweet Retreat, would go to Our Lady of Guadalupe Home for Girls in Cane End, Marriaqua.

Courts Commercial Manager Lisa Veira announced that the home, which is a safe haven for at-risk girls between the ages 11-18, will receive a percentage of every sale during the May 9th to June 9th campaign, which will see customers receiving fabulous offers and savings on selected bedding products as well as free gifts with purchases.

Customers would also pay nothing down for the first 60 days of purchase and also receive discounts on bed frames, bedroom furniture and accessories.

Veira last Friday informed the Home Director Saylene Dopwell of the news of the donation, which Dopwell considered a blessing in disguise.

“Right now we are really under financial strain and this gesture would come in very handy so we thank Courts in advance”.

Dopwell says the Home which was founded in 2007, currently house 16 young ladies, who have been casualties of emotional and physical abuse.

She noted that the donation would go a long way in helping the Catholic institution to provide the girls with the much needed assistance, which would make their lives at the Home somewhat easier.

The Home tries its best to transform the lives of the suffering into lives of hope, by providing a safe, caring and nurturing environment for the girls, Dopwell said.

“I would really like to see more people getting involved in the well-being of the home because a lot of persons don’t know that it exists, and it is the only girls home in St Vincent and the Grenadines, and once we get publicity we would probably get more help and we would be able to serve these girls and in extension our country better.”

Veira joined with Dopwell in calling for more business to offer support and assistance to the Home, in the interests of good corporate service.

“We at Courts are pleased to make a contribution to the Guadalupe Home for girls, which we believe would bring value to the lives of the young residents there.We hope that others would join in helping this valuable institution, which does its best to protect our young ladies."

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COURTS BIG HEARTS PROJECT

In keeping with their Corporate Social Responsibility policy, Courts employees were in action last weekend, once again assisting the less fortunate.

Members of staff journeyed to the Salvation Army’s Home for Children in Cane Grove, where they gave the building a well needed facelift. Not only did Courts donate the paint for the building, they also provided the man (and woman) power to paint the entire interior of the building in one day. Employees were split into morning and afternoon shifts and ensured that when they were finished, the walls looked “like new.”

Major Persha Antoine, Director of the Home, said that the Courts staff went above and beyond their call of duty. “I can’t tell you how much we are grateful." “Not only did they paint the walls but they spent their time combing the girls’ hair and ironing for them,” Antoine said.

She pointed out that the children; nine girls and four boys, were delighted and happy to see that their building was given its very own makeover.

Antoine said that she was looking forward to further partnership with the furniture and appliance store, and hoped that other businesses would follow in their footsteps, and come to the assistance of the three year-old institution.

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COURTS DONATES DOUBLE DOOR FRIDGE TO THE CORNER STONE HOME

The residents, staff and management of the Corner Stone Home, situated in Vigie Castries, was the proud recipients of a brand new Whirlpool 22 Cu Ft refrigerator complements Courts St. Lucia.

The superstore, widely accepted as the nation’s largest retailer of the world’s best brands in Furniture, Electronics and Appliances received a request from the Ben Alcide Musical Ministries on behalf of the home. The request explained the day to day struggles faced by the staff at the home whilst they tried the utmost best to create the safest environment possible that is conducive for stay-in residents. The Corner Stone Home currently caters for socially displaced and needy persons who look to the home for night shelter and accommodation as well as breakfast, lunch and dinner.

The need for a new fridge was great, and when the request was received, Courts happily agreed to assist. The news of this donation came as a surprise to Ms Juliet Brathwaite, when she was informed of the donation at a presentation ceremony held at the company’s new and improved Courts Marisule location on Friday April 10th.

The Company’s OECS Public Relation Officer, Ms Britney Jongue in her address to the guests said; “Courts St. Lucia is proud to provide assistance that can make a meaningful impact in the lives of the needy and disadvantaged in St. Lucia. The company is very humbled to have received a request for sponsorship on behalf of the Corner Stone Home and we view this as an opportunity to give back to the communities where we serve. This donation came at the most convenient time for the home and we are sure that by us taking this decision to render assistance, the lives of the residents and staff will be positively impacted.”

The new refrigerator will be delivered directly to the home by the company’s delivery team this week and will be a welcomed upgrade for the home. Courts St. Lucia is pleased to contribute to the overall development of Saint Lucia, focusing on education, health and sports. We support non-profit and non-governmental organizations around the island through sustainable programs that offer the beneficiaries development opportunities and a better quality of life.

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COURTS DONATES TO LODGE BOYS HOME

The students of the Liberty Lodge Boys Training Centre are the latest institution to benefit from the generosity of the Courts St Vincent.

Earlier this week, Courts handed over a 20- inch gas stove to the institution, to be used to assist them in the preparation of meals while undergoing rehabilitative treatment at the residential facility.

The institution, this country’s lone male juvenile facility, is currently being upgraded through the Juvenile Justice Reform Program, a collaborative effort between the Ministry of National Mobilization, The OECS Commission and US AID.

This is not the first time that Courts has contributed to the facility. As recent as December last year, the furniture and appliance store donated equipment and furnishings as part of the upgrade process

The stove was handed over to a member of the institution’s faculty by Courts Commercial Manager Lisa Veira

ASSISTS-FIRE-stvincent
APRIL 2015

COURTS ASSISTS FIRE VICTIM

Kendal Charles says he is not a Courts customer as yet, but when he gets back on his feet he will be.The Long Wall, Kingstown man says he is very grateful for the rapid response he received from the furniture and appliance store, after he lost all his belongings in a fire two weeks ago.

Charles, who lived alone in the building occupied by two other tenants, said that of all the others who promised him assistance, Courts was the first to come through, handing over a 20-inch MABE stove on Monday this week.

“I receive help here and there, and I am sure that the others who said they would help me will do it, but Courts came through real quick.“It is a great help for me and I feel really grateful,” Charles said

APRIL 2015

COURTS RECOGNIZE LONG SERVICE EMPLOYEES

ST. VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES LEADING RETAILERS OF THE WORLD’S BEST BRANDS IN APPLIANCE, FURNITURE AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS COURTS; HONOURED FOUR OF ITS EMPLOYEES AT THE COMPANY’S ANNUAL AWARDS CEREMONY HELD LAST MONTH

The ceremony held at the Octagon in February saw in attendance all employees from the superstore, to include the company’s head office staff, branch personnel as well as employees from the Bargain Basement. The Company’s employees celebrated this huge mile stone with the recipients some of whom have been with the company for more than 30 years. The recipients were encouraged to continue to be motivators and leaders in the organization as they have been an inspiration to all employees through their dedication and commitment to the company.

30 years of Service Awardees

Ms Eleanor Biller – Courts Cashier

Mr Gerald Gellezeau – Bargain Centre Manager

Mr Alonzo Gordon – Office Attendant

Ms Marylyn Lucas – COSACS Manager

20 years of Service Awardee

Ms Wendy Edwards

15 years of Service Awardees

Ms Joselle King Roberts

Ms Joslyn Ollivierre

Ms Rosanna Vierra

Ms Nicola Craig

10 years of Service Awardees

Ms Nordia Lee

Ms Indra Grant

Ms Shawnette Walker

Mr Dave Hackshaw

Liston Lyttle

Rosann Samuel

 “Courts St. Vincent and the Grenadines once again extend congratulations to all of our awardees this year; continue to do what you are called to do whilst always aiming to do better!”

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COURTS ASSISTS FIRE VICTIM

Ottley Hall resident Celia Frederick was the most recent beneficiary of Courts Corporate Social Responsibility in action.

Weeks after her home was partially gutted by an electrical fire, Frederick received a General Electric stove to replace the one she lost in the blaze.

Frederick expressed her gratitude to Courts for the gesture, which she indicated would be a major part of her road back to recovery.

She said that she was aware that she had some way to go before her life cold get back to normal, but the contribution of the stove from Courts will make the process much easier.

Courts Commercial Manager Lisa Veira, pointed out that the donation of the stove was a small but meaningful gesture to the homeowner, who has lost practically everything through an unfortunate circumstance.

Veira said that the gift shows that Courts reach goes beyond the sale of furniture and appliances, but also towards the welfare of its customers and other citizens of St Vincent and the Grenadines.

COURTS PARTNERS WITH THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH TO REPAIR THREE CLINICS IN SVG

Three clinics in St Vincent and the Grenadines will benefit this month, as Courts St Vincent Ltd partners with the Ministry of Health to fund much needed repairs to the institutions.

Senior marketing manager of Courts Alexis John said his company embarks on yearly projects and this year, they wanted to do something that surpassed their project last year. "We decided that we needed to reach out to a very important sector when it comes to our country's development – health," John said.

John mentioned that through research, it was evident that many clinics across the country were in need of repairs.

With a budget of approximately EC$60,000, the marketing manager disclosed that the clinics in Mayreau, Chateaubelair and South Rivers will receive a much needed facelift. The Buildings, Roads and General Services Authority (BRAGSA) will also be a part of this project, as the entity in charge of carrying out the repairs.

Lesron Jacobs, an engineer at BRAGSA, gave an estimate for each clinic and said that although the budget may not sound like much, it will go a long way in updating the facilities.

"Across three health centres, we want to focus on the critical areas," Jacobs said.

The engineer explained that the clinic on the Grenadine island of Mayreau will have its shingle roof replaced with galvanize; a proper set up for rainwater harvesting will be put in place; and the building will also receive a fresh coat of paint. Jacob estimated this cost at EC$24,000.

The health facility in South Rivers will also have minor repairs done to the roof and ceiling. The clinic will be retiled and receive a fresh coat of paint. Chateaubelair's clinic will have interior repairs done for counters and cupboards, as well as painting of interior and exterior walls.

Jacob estimates the work at South Rivers and Chateaubelair would cost approximately EC$15,000 each, excluding contingencies.

Clayton Burgin, the Minister of Health, Wellness and Environment, expressed his excitement and sincere appreciation to Courts on behalf of the ministry and beneficiaries, for their generous donation.

"We are always happy to have corporate societies, corporate institutions in the private sector, public sector assisting Government in the various areas of development," Burgin said.

Additionally, the minister explained that he considers any contribution that is given to the ministry as significant, no matter how small, because it will aid in alleviating some of the suffering and difficulties faced by individuals

For more information of Court’s, a Unicomer Group brand, social responsibility, and sustainability programs, please visit Unicomer Group’s website

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