The Family Centre yesterday took over the former headquarters of children’s home charity the Sunshine League.

Social development minister Michael Weeks had to wipe away tears as he prepared to open Family Centre’s new home.

Mr Weeks said: “A lot of my friends and family spent much time at Sunshine League.”

The minister added that his mother had once worked as a cook at the children’s home.

He said: “I have a very profound connection.”

The move came a year after the Sunshine League announced that it was to give its vacated house to Family Centre.

Mr Weeks said the new tenant would carry on as “a beacon of hope for many Bermudian parents and their children”.

Martha Dismont, executive director of Family Centre, introduced June Hill, a descendant of Agnes May Robinson, a founder of the Sunshine League in 1919.

Ms Dismont told guests, who included Ginny Ferson, the Deputy Governor: “This is a very sacred mission — it is so important that we are good in the lives of children.”

She said the months of preparation had been “overwhelming, because so many people are bringing forward their stories of this place”.

Dr Hill said the Sunshine League had been founded almost a century ago at a time of “rampant unemployment with many impoverished families incapable of caring for their own children”.

She added that boys roamed Hamilton’s waterfront to eke out a living and a group of women joined together with a vision of starting a children’s home. Dr Hill remembered fundraising for Sunshine League as a youngster and playing on the swings on the lawn where she stood yesterday.

She said: “I’m standing here and I feel that Aunt May is smiling.”

The Sunshine League was forced to close because of rising operating costs and changed priorities in the way at-risk children were treated.

Dr Hill explained: “It is felt that children are much better off in a family setting.

“Times changed and our ways of looking after children in need changed.”

She added: “I couldn’t think of a more worthy organisation to carry on Aunt May’s vision.”

Ciara Burrows, a volunteer of Family Centre, said: “I know from experience that hope is a catalyst for success — a crucial ingredient that young people need to thrive.”

Leah Scott, the deputy leader of the Opposition and a director at Sunshine League, fought back tears as she spoke about its closure and the decision to give the building to Family Centre.

She said: “We decided there was great synergy.

“We couldn’t think of anybody else that could demonstrate the love you have shown our community.”

Sunshine League bought the building in 1950 and opened the home three years later. The name remains on the building.

Bonnie Claggett, Family Centre’s director of operations, said the new premises “fits right in with our strategic work in the North Hamilton area, where we have been trying to make an impact for several years”.

Ms Claggett added that Family Centre at King Street would offer “a place for young people to drop in with no judgment”.

She said: “It’s multi-purpose and real life.”

Ms Claggett added that young people could use Family Centre to learn cleaning and cooking or interview skills, or do their homework.

Justin Freisenbruch, chairman of Family Centre’s board, said that 2017 had been “challenging — in addition to taking on the building, we had one of our most ambitious years”.

He added: “That seemed organisationally crazy, but we almost couldn’t help ourselves.”

Mr Freisenbruch added it was “deeply concerning” that last year’s waiting list for counselling had ranged from five to 25 families.

Mr Freisenbruch said: “It genuinely keeps all of us up at night. It’s a really challenging balancing act.”

The charity still has a further $60,000 to raise to fund its work.

Ms Dismont thanked donors, from Jim Butterfield who covered the cost of a “friendship bench” outside the building for members of the community to sit and talk to staff, to Spanish Town Entertainment, which provided the PA system for yesterday’s opening ceremony, and Lambert and Lambert Rentals, which offered their tent for guests.

An avocado tree was planted on the grounds to mark the new chapter in the building’s history.

Ms Ferson said she looked forward to returning one day to sample its fruit. Her husband, Mel, added: “This is an organisation with the most enthusiastic staff I have ever come across.”