On December 5, U.S. Consul General Constance Dierman met with a group of representatives from the Women’s Resource Centre (WRC) and Habitat for Humanity who were selected to participate in an exchange program designed by the U.S. Department of State. Before their departure to Washington D.C. on December 8, the group discussed how the International Volunteer Leadership Program (IVLP) will support the development of Bermuda’s first Transitional Living Centre.

The U.S. Consulate nominated Elaine Butterfield, Director, WRC; Sheelagh Cooper, Executive Director, Habitat for Humanity; Cheryl Minors, Executive Assistant, WRC; Judy Lowe Teart, Career Development Manager, WRC; and Tina Laws, Volunteer, WRC; to participate in the 10 day program, where they will visit three U.S. cities, explore organizations that provide sustainable housing and services for women and their families as well as mental-health wellness programs. They will have the opportunity to engage with leading representatives from federal agencies, non-profit organizations, and outreach programs to identify best practices that may be sustainable in Bermuda and gain first-hand knowledge of successful service models. The group plans to explore issues related to financial sustainability, data analysis, and collaborations between government institutions and civil society to address matters related to homelessness.

“I am pleased that this dynamic group of women were selected to participate in this specialized IVLP program. It will provide a number of resources to help address challenges and create a system that will benefit women and their families here in Bermuda,” says U.S. Consul General Dierman.

The International Visitor Leadership Program is the U.S. Department of State’s premier professional exchange program. Through short-term visits to the United States, current and emerging foreign leaders in a variety of fields visit organizations and meet with representatives that reflect the participants’ professional interests and support common bilateral policy goals.

Since 1940, the IVLP, with the help of a dedicated network of community-based non-profit organizations, has introduced over 225,000 participants to communities throughout the United States.

• Press release from US Consulate