Homeless charity to take on running of TLC for families
A centre designed to support single mothers and their children is being taken over by a charity established to end homelessness.
The Transformational Living Centre for Families, which opened on Parsons Road in 2022, has been operated since then by the Women’s Resource Centre, which saw a “critical need” for its work.
However, the WRC felt the organisation was not set up to facilitate residential care in the long-run and it has entered into an agreement with Home, which will take over the centre at the end of the month.
Elaine Butterfield, the WRC’s former executive director who was instrumental in getting the TLC established, said: “Since opening, we have supported 11 families with wraparound support services to heal, empower and transition our families into independent, self-sufficient and more sustainable living.
“The programme's impact has been profound and we are grateful to all our donors and partners who believed in this mission and supported its success.”
Ms Butterfield, who is also the chairwoman of the TLC advisory board, added: “The Transformational Living Centre was created in response to a critical need for housing and support for single mothers.
“We are extremely proud of the journey the TLC has taken, moving from concept to reality.”
According to its website, this international day serves as a platform to celebrate good works, benchmark progress, advocate for improved policies and funding that can help prevent and end homelessness.
World Homeless Day also aims to raise awareness about the needs of people who experience homelessness and promote work in local communities to alleviate suffering and prevent death.
The concept of World Homeless Day emerged from online discussions between people working to respond to homelessness from various parts of the world.
The inaugural World Homeless Day was marked on October 10, 2010.
Since its founding, World Homeless Day has been observed on every continent — except Antarctica — in more than 100 countries.
Today is the 15th World Homeless Day.
Juanae Crockwell, WRC’s executive director, said the organisation had started to look strategically at the TLC because “the WRC’s operational infrastructure was never for residential care”.
She explained: “If we were going to keep the TLC as part of our programmes, we would have to really make some changes to our operations.
“We looked at what would be the best solution so that the needs of women and children facing housing insecurity could still be met while the WRC continues to grow and thrive and evolve in the advocacy space that we were moving into.
“Home was in our mind, they are already addressing this exact issue and they’re doing it well.
“Home’s mission aligns seamlessly with the mission of the TLC and we are confident that their expertise and commitment will support vulnerable women and their dependent children in achieving housing security.
“The WRC remains committed to providing women with access to the resources and support needed to live safe, healthy and fulfilling lives.
“As a referral centre, we understand how important it is to connect women to the resources and support that will best meet their needs.
“We are grateful to work with Home in ensuring that the housing needs of women and children remain a priority in Bermuda.”
The transition has been approved by the boards of directors of Home and the WRC and by Pembroke Parish Council, the property’s landlord.
Home is taking vacant possession of the building, which has nine en-suite rooms, each designed to accommodate a single mother and up to three children.
According to Denise Carey, Home’s chief executive, before the WRC got in touch, the charity had been exploring a partnership with another organisation to provide services to women, which did not materialise.
She said: “Two years ago, the Women’s Resource Centre changed how our community responded to mothers and their children.
“It is because of TLC’s vision that our community has moved away from an institutional approach to one where supporting mothers is more collaborative and transformative.
“Mothers can now comfortably move into an environment where they still have a sense of independence but with the familial support Home’s case-management team offers.
“We are humbled they have put their trust in Home and given us the opportunity to build on their legacy.
“For Home this marks a new chapter in which we have an increased capacity to provide the shelter, support and tools people experiencing homelessness need on their path to sustainable and stable independent living.”
The Royal Gazette, in conjunction with stakeholders including Home, has launched its Ending Homelessness campaign to remind the community that people affected by homelessness matter.
Home, and others, want to end homelessness. So do we. We want your support. We want you to change your perception of members of the unsheltered population. We want you to help lobby for simple changes. We want you to show compassion.
Homeless people want to work so that they can be self-sufficient. They did not choose to be homeless and in many cases their plight was brought about by systemic failings in this country.
In 2010, the Bermuda Census identified 82 people experiencing homelessness. By 2016, that number had risen to 138.
According to Home, the Department of Statistics developed those estimates based on counting rough sleepers and the population housed in the Salvation Army emergency shelter.
As of December 31, 2023, Home recorded Bermuda’s homeless population as 811.
Julia Hawkins, the WRC’s board chairwoman, said: “This is not just a significant moment for the Women’s Resource Centre and Home but it is also a milestone for the third sector in Bermuda.
“It exemplifies the power of collaboration, reducing duplication of services and a shared commitment to delivering high-quality support to those in need.”
Arthur Wightman, Home’s chairman, said: “This agreement represents an incredible opportunity for Home to directly play a vital role in breaking the cycle of homelessness for mothers, grandmothers, their children and grandchildren.
“By providing a safe and supportive environment, we can help to mitigate the detrimental impact homelessness has on a woman’s physical and mental wellbeing, as well as on a child’s development and prospects.”
“In addition, this represents an opportunity to realise a broader aspect of our strategy, in relation to strengthening the system overall, as part of the delivery of a single plan to end homelessness.”
Tinée Furbert, the Minister of Youth, Social Development and Seniors, added: “We are living in times when women face many barriers and judgment, particularly in the housing market.
“The TLC has supported women and their children well and I have no doubt that Home will continue on with the vision.
“I want to thank the Women’s Resource Centre, the staff of TLC and Home for their commitment and dedication.”
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