Government responds to youth at risk-transit home opens
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Government responds to youth at risk-transit home opens |
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Contact: Adhara King
Thursday 20 January 2011 – The Division of Human Services and Family Affairs within the Ministry of Health, has been looking forward to the opening of a transit home for many years.
The home, located in Cas En Bas, Gros- Islet ,was purchased in 2006, and significant strides were made by ministry officials to advance this breakthrough in social services on the island.
Dame Pearlette Louisy unveiled the plaque of the “New Beginnings Transit Home,” officially signalling the start of operation for the establishment.
Manager of New Beginnings, Angelina Muhammad said: “ As the term New Beginnings suggests This home will provide children of Saint Lucia and possibly the OECS who are victims of abuse, with a safe place of retreat learning new behaviours, establishing new friendships and more importantly the ability to have a new and healthy outlook on life.”
Ms. Muhammad emphasized that the mission of the home is to provide good care in a safe home environment to develop the full potential of each child and young person by focusing on their physical, emotional, and spiritual well being, and maintaining links with their families.
“The home” Muhammad said “will cater for 21 children at any given time, working towards moving children on within 6 months of arrival, therefore allowing the potential to work with at least 42 children per year in the home. We will provide therapeutic intervention programmes to parents, families, and children, parenting programmes for parents across the island for annually approximately 20 participants.”
The staff complement of the transit home includes educators, and clinical psychologists to ensure that the most vulnerable in our society are treated adequately by certified specialists.
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