The City of Hamilton is pleased to announce the six winners of the school essay contest that was launched earlier this year as part of the ongoing celebrations to commemorate the 225th anniversary of the Corporation of Hamilton’s continued service to the community.

Bermuda’s students were invited to submit an essay about homelessness in the City and how to tackle the challenge it brings. First, second and third place winners were identified in two categories – High School and Middle School. Winners in the High School category were, in first place, Jaelen Jones (The Berkeley Institute), in second place, Jaden Malpas (Saltus Grammar School) and in third place, Leahnae Morton-Richardson (Bermuda High School). In the Middle School category winners were, in first place, Phoenix Bowers (Saltus Grammar School), in second place, Jelai Carlington (Clearwater Middle School), and in third place, Tristan Robinson (Saltus Grammar School). All winners will receive a cash prize, a trophy and a certificate of achievement.

The City has taken an active role to combat this social issue and has brought together a multitude of stakeholders and helping organizations in an effort to work together to eliminate homelessness and its devastating consequences on the community. Earlier this year, the City spear-headed two ‘Community Cafés’ that brought the unsheltered together with local helping agencies, in one location, where they could explore their options from financial assistance and housing to health and wellness and possible job opportunities.

Winners were treated to a virtual Zoom call with Mayor Charles Gosling who congratulated them on their winning submissions and thanked them for bringing their ideas to the table, ideas that one day, could be a part of the bigger solution. Solutions included a full time shelter complete with in-house professionals to assist with education, financial planning and health; a community of tiny houses identified for the homeless where they have their own living space, legalizing and taxing marijuana to pay for any initiative and increased collaboration with the corporate community for funding, amongst others.

• Press release from the City of Hamilton