Universal Children’s Day was established by the United Nations in 1954 to improve child welfare and to bring together global partners on behalf of bettering the lives of the world’s children. Family Centre is looking to join the efforts of organizations around the world to raise awareness of the continuing need to value the lives, growth, and development, of children.

Sarah Dunstan, Family Centre Development Director, states: “In honour of Universal Children’s Day, Family Centre is hosting a Day of Giving on November 20, 2018 on radio stations across the island. We are reaching out to the public to join us in spreading our core message that children matter, and to donate in support of our work with the most vulnerable children and families on the island.”

She further stated: “Research has proven that Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), including trauma, which was the focus of our 2018 Conference, have lifelong impacts on health and behaviour. Family Centre is the only organization providing free intensive family stabilization services for children & families with these long-standing patterns of trauma. Our counselling and case management support services address these issues and provide some of Bermuda’s highest risk families with the help they need to change their lives and break negative cycles for future generations. These services support over 150 children and families in Bermuda each year. Funds raised through this event will go towards Family Centre’s intensive Counselling Services. We cannot help children and families unless we have the funding.”

Members of the public can donate via our website (www.tfc.bm), by calling 232-116 with a credit card, or by dropping off a check to the Family Centre office on 27 King Street, in the lead up to, or on the day of, the event and confirm know if they want a shout out on their favorite radio station. Family Centre staff will be in touch with the various stations throughout the day, doing interviews, updating radio hosts on how much has been raised and informing them of the shout outs requested by those who have donated. Vibe 103 will even be doing a live broadcast from the Sunshine League House between 12pm-2pm!

Martha Dismont, Family Centre’s Executive Director, said, “Today’s challenging economic and emotionally charged environments are making it difficult for children to develop and mature in healthy ways. Every child deserves an equal chance for success. We are hoping that our community will show up with their support for Bermuda’s children by donating and giving a shout out for children on the various radio stations. Family Centre wants to simply do its’ part to honour our most precious resource, our children.”

• Press release from Family Centre