Mentoring a child, corporate adoption, and donating cash just some of the ways Bermuda can help The Sunshine League, a residential care facility for displaced children.

Executive director Denise Carey yesterday spoke at a meeting of the Hamilton Rotary, describing what the charity does and how residents can help.

"If we get 12 men or 12 companies to commit to one month a year, we are able to provide a safe environment for our young people," she said.

"Also we need our young people to be part of the repair. It's one thing to repair a door, it is an entirely different experience to show our young males how to repair the door themselves."

For the past 91 years The Sunshine League has operated as a residential care facility for displaced children between the ages of eight and 16. Accredited by the Bermuda National Standards Committee, the facility can house between ten and 12 children at a time.

Its aim is to provide a therapeutic environment where displaced children learn skills needed to live a stable and productive life.

According to Ms Carey, the average age of residents is 11 years old.

She listed some statistics to help paint a picture of the children in the League's care:

"Fifty-six percent of the young people placed with The Sunshine League have at least one parent who is homeless," said Ms Carey. "This means that the house they were living in prior to placement was deemed unsuitable for the child by the Department of Child and Family Services.

"Thirty-seven percent of the young people have parents with mental health issues and only 18 percent have fathers actively involved in their lives."

She continued: "Twenty-five percent of the young people have parents who are currently, or have been known to be, drug abusers.

"Ninety-four percent have academic challenges including truancy, lack of willingness or ability to complete school work.

"I am often asked why our children do not want to go to school.

"Well, at 11, having to deal with homelessness, unemployed parents, parents who function at a lower rate than the child and drug abuse what time do they have to focus on being a child?"

Through the teaching of life skills, therapy and group sessions, the organisation aims to help keep their young people on the right track.

Persons learn about consistency and commitment by getting involved with young people and mentoring a child, the executive director said.

And she added that through corporate adoption a commitment of one night a week an organisation can help young people with homework, projects and test preparation.

However the charity is also in need of tangible items. Ms Carey said there are six rooms that still need to be furnished at the League $13,000 would provide each one with necessary bunk beds, wardrobes, mattresses, mirrors and night stands.

"If 200 people donate $20 per month for one year, together we could raise $48,000 for displaced young people," she said.

"The mountain is not so steep when we are climbing it together. If half of our community, or approximately 30,000 people, pledged $20 a month we could hire the psychologist we need to support our children and really focus on treatment and care of our Island's youth."

To donate, or learn more about how you can support the Sunshine League as an individual, group or corporation, go to www.sunshineleague.bm.