Human Services Minister pledges commitment to the Children and Family Centre
Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Hon. Dr. Vindhya Persaud has pledged her commitment and support to the Children and Family Centre which serves as a temporary sanctuary for at-risk children and families.
On Wednesday afternoon, the minister visited the Plum Park, Sophia facility and interacted with the children and staff.
In an invited comment, the Minister said the visit was a “heartwarming” one.
“When children are affected by abuse and in many cases, it is heartbreaking to imagine a child has to deal with that on a daily basis…so to go there today and to see the children in a different frame of mind coming out of situations and circumstances like that, it warmed my heart,” Dr. Persaud related.
She complemented the Director of the Childcare and Protection Agency, Ann Greene and the staff of the facility, for working with the children during the COVID-19 pandemic, noting that they “had the opportunity to express themselves in creative ways.”
Dr. Persaud was also impressed that the centre not only caters for children, but also families.
“The unique thing about this center is that family members or those family members who are similarly affected, like their mothers, they can be there with their children, so it’s the entire family, that is looked after, cared for, and given the best of our consideration.”
The Children and Family Care Centre can house up to 80 individuals at a time and is accessible 24/7. It is made up of seven buildings which include dormitory facilities for boys and girls; living quarters for up to eight families; kitchen; dining room; administration building and training facilities.