Housing facility for vulnerable women issues first annual report
A team behind a residential programme that sets up women for success had a full house and a waiting list a little more than a year after its doors opened.
An annual report from the Transformational Living Centre for Families outlined some of the work that has taken place since it started operating in February 2022.
It explained that the hub, in Pembroke, served single mothers and their children “who have been burdened by housing and economic insecurity”.
The report added: “We exist to create a liberating space of opportunity for these families, equipping and empowering them to flourish.”
“TLC has been so much more than steady housing for me. It has been a place to grow.
“It has pushed me out of my comfort zone and into thinking seriously about my path and future.
“It has helped me to develop life skills, parenting skills and work on my people skills.
“I am grateful that this place exists. I am learning to start living, not just surviving.”
A message from Elaine Butterfield, the TLC Advisory Board chairwoman, said: “The magnitude of the need is significant. We are at full capacity and maintain a growing waiting list.
“This is one of our main challenges, stretching us to be creative.
“Accommodating families at the TLC expands beyond the need to provide comfortable beds and nutritious food.
“We intentionally incorporate personalised empowerment programmes, dedicated case management, regular counselling and more.
“All this as we reconnect them with housing, employment and the life skills they must master to be independent and to thrive.
“Our ultimate goal is to prepare our families for a stable and fulfilling life after the TLC.”
Families take part in a Transformational Support Services Programme, which includes sessions designed to help to heal, empower and prepare them for transition to the community.
Children received psychosocial, developmental, behavioural and academic support and also took part in “empowerment and enrichment activities”, the report said.
As of March, 75 per cent of the mothers were employed, and the others, who were newer to the programme, were looking for work.
The report highlighted that an “adopt-a-family” programme secured 12 months of financial support for the needs of six families at the TLC.
Meanwhile donations from organisations and individuals included: physical plant enhancements, such as solar panels — expected to save $4,500 annually — and playground equipment; volunteer hours; funds; personal items; groceries; and special-occasion meals.
Ms Butterfield told The Royal Gazette: “We opened our doors in February 2022 and here we are a year later, having learnt a whole lot about our mission.
“We are very pleased to report that we have a full house of moms and children, we have a steady executive director and staff, and that we’re doing well.
“The Transformational Living Centre is thriving.”
She added: “We could not have done this without the support of the community.
“We have always understood that this is a community project.
“One of the greatest things we have discovered is that all of us have become the village that it needs to be in order to accomplish this.”
The centre's present cohort is made up of eight women and 12 children, ranging from infants to teenagers.
Ms Butterfield said: “I still get choked up when I come in sometimes, when I smell food cooking in the kitchen and when I hear a child giggling and screaming with glee when they’re playing with the rabbits or with each other.”
She added: “It really is probably one of the most fulfilling things I’ve been a part of in my life.”
Ms Butterfield recalled how she once attended the centre for a presentation and was invited by two of the residents to stay for dinner.
“That means the world to me,” she said.
The chairwoman added: “We have a very engaged board of directors who have been an integral part of the first year.
“We have definitely had challenges in the first year, but we have chosen to learn from them, and we also have had great success.”
Ms Butterfield highlighted the commitment of the TLC team, led at the centre by executive director Marion Dyer.
She said: “One thing that I’m assured of as the chairperson is that every single person involved in this programme — especially our wonderful staff members who are so passionate about what they do and committed to what they do — we all, including the board, have the same goal in mind: that every mom and child at the Transformational Living Centre meet their fullest potential.”
The report showed that the TLC for Families received a $75,000 government grant in fiscal year 2023 as well as almost $274,000 in monetary donations.
Ms Butterfield said: “Companies have been very supportive of us, but individuals have also supported us and we are looking to grow our funders to families contributing to families.”
At least three schools on the island have also been involved in raising money for the centre.
The TLC’s plans for the 2023-24 fiscal year included the establishment of an “entrepreneurial component, involving families, to generate operating revenue”.
• To read the annual report in full, click on the PDF under “Related Media”.
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