The Argus Group has announced a donation of $15,000 to Family Centre for its Youth Development Zone counselling programme.

The YDZ is a community initiative that first launched in 2011 in response to the growing problems affecting the youth population living in North East Hamilton.

Family Centre provides YDZ with child and family counselling. These services are available to children aged 4 to 14 as well as to parents, grandparents and caregivers.

Family Centre has one full-time clinical case manager, a psychologist and four counsellors who support the YDZ directly.

In addition to counselling, Family Centre works with community partners, including the Bermuda Police Service, the Bermuda Economic Development Corporation within the North East Hamilton Economic Empowerment Zone, the Bermuda Coalition for the Protection of Children, Workforce Development and a local church representative, in an effort to ensure that social services are more accessible to residents living in the North East Hamilton area.

Martha Dismont, executive director of Family Centre, said in a press release: “We are grateful to Argus for its generous donation and ongoing support of our Youth Development Zone counselling programme.

“The future of North East Hamilton depends on the accessibility of counselling and social services for the young people and their families in the area. If you would like to join Argus in supporting our cause, we encourage you to donate during our Children Come First telethon.”

From January through August, Family Centre provided counselling for 31 families in the YDZ.

Lauren Bell, executive vice-president, Life & Pensions at Argus, stated: “We are proud sponsors of Family Centre’s Youth Development Zone initiative, an important programme that offers valuable services to the families in North East Hamilton.

“On behalf of Argus, I congratulate Family Centre on its 25th anniversary and for its hard work and sustained progress helping the community.”

To commemorate its 25th anniversary, Family Centre will be hosting the ‘Children Come First’ telethon on Wednesday, at the City Hall Theatre from 6pm until 11.30pm. The telethon will incorporate different forms of technology and entertainment with an aim to raise funds, educate the community about Family Centre services, and celebrate the success of its children and families over its 25-year history.

To participate, call 232-5437 during telethon hours. Alternatively, text Donate10 to 5152 or Donate25 to 5157 to donate $10 or $25 respectively.

For more information about the Family Centre, visit www.tfc.bm.