A TWO-day concert in honour of the cash-strapped Hope Homes for the mentally challenged concludes this evening.

Organisers are hoping the Hope Homes SOS Jamboree will boost the charity's coffers and also make the public aware of what it has accomplished and all that it stands for.

"It's unbelievable (what they're doing)," said Hope Homes founder Ellen Douglas. "I'm just so happy. The Lord, at the right time and under the right circumstances, has brought the right people to our rescue. That teaches me I really should not fear for the future and accept the way he has led and is leading."

Founded 21 years ago, Hope Homes was created as a facility for the mentally challenged. The commune-style living it provided enabled residents to live apart from their families and outside the only other option previously afforded them, St. Brendan's.

Lauded a success for many years, the centre was drawn into a storm of controversy after Opposition MP Louise Jackson highlighted the deplorable conditions in which the 14 residents were living.

A war of words between the Health Ministry and Hope Homes founder Ellen Douglas ensued, after which Government announced it would no longer financially assist the programme ? Hope Homes received an annual Government grant of $160,000, plus $980 per client per month. Those funds will now be reallocated to St. Brendan's Hospital which will work with Project 100, a charity formed through the auspices of Hope Homes, to provide small residential care facilities with programmes for the learning disabled.

"The SOS Jamboree to hopefully bring some money in and also to acquaint the public who might be interested in Hope Homes," said Ben Nunn.

Co-founder of Hope Homes with Mrs. Douglas, he said he has a vested interest in the charity's success and felt a concert could help raise the funds needed to improve the Brunswick Street property. A musician in his own right, Mr. Nunn turned to a host of talented friends for assistance in this project including Emily Boyd, a singer and guitarist from Atlanta.

"We'll have Taylor Rankin, a Bermudian violinist. We have a keyboard player. We have several of the Folk Club musicians. We also have our Hope Homes clients."

Mr. Nunn added that the clients will also perform; the Hope Homes songbook includes a selection of 12 songs penned by the residents. As well, guests are to be entertained by Mrs. Douglas or, as she's more affectionately known, 'Mama D', who will play the omnichord.

"Hope Homes has been here for 21 years," she said. "The children, some of them were in our educational programme at St. Brendan's. Hope Homes signifies de-institutionalisation and this is supposed to be, sort of, a community orientation programme. As part of that they've been learning to sing. Not all of them will be performing. There could be anywhere between three and 14. Some of them will be working."

Asked if "the children" could sing, Ms Douglas said: "They make a joyful noise let's put it like that."

The Hope Homes SOS Jamboree is to be held on the facility's front porch, bordering Cedar Avenue, directly across from the Catholic Church.

"It'll be a joyful time," added Ms Boyd. "I think it's going to be a blessing for this home and for the neighbourhood. I think people need to be aware of the good things that good people are doing."

She continued, alluding to the public skirmish the charity fought through the news media with Government: "Sometimes good people are the most quiet. Sometimes it's time for them to be a little bit more loud."

Responded Mrs. Douglas: "When they get lashed they holler."

The Hope Homes SOS Jamboree begins at 5.30 p.m. this evening. According to Mr. Nunn, donations will be greatly appreciated and for those unsure where Hope Homes is located, just listen: "You'll be able to hear the music from ten miles in every direction. There'll be violins and guitars, all sorts of music until about 9 p.m."

l Government yesterday hit back at allegations that it owed Hope Homes more than $90,000 in room and board fees.

Last week Board chairman Alan Robinson told that because the Health Ministry had withheld past funding, Hope Homes had been forced to use money intended for building maintenance to provide accommodation for its mentally challenged clients.

With Hope Homes determined to go on with or without future Government assistance, Mr. Robinson added: "The current fiscal dilemma being faced by Hope Homes can be correlated with the Ministry's payments. The maintenance of the physical plant has been adversely affected by the under-funding referred to above."

Government, however, denied his accusations offering as proof, details of The Department of Financial Assistance's records over the past three years.

In that period, a spokesperson said, Government paid Hope Homes $1,208,823 in grants and residents fees, which includes room and board. As well, three cheques totalling $46,146 issued to Hope Homes ? two as far back as 2001 ? had not been cashed nor were they accounted for.