[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he Southeastern Caribbean College (SCC St. Lucia) was proud to launch its newest project from the its establishment on Thursday 25th May 2017. The Hope Centre, located at the Morgan Building in Sans Souci, has been in operation since October 1, 2016 but it was officially launched to the public on Thursday morning.
Members of the SCC directorship, alongside officials from various government ministries, and social workers were in attendance at this momentous occasion.
The purpose of the Hope Centre is to address the many social issues from which youth and families suffer in this present day. Through research and learning at SCC and the service of counsellors and social workers, the Hope Centre will provide families with the resources to prevent them from becoming dysfunctional or to aid with damage already done.
Reverend Waltrude Dantes, Chairman of SCC board of directors, encouragingly commented: “Our hope is that all Saint Lucians will take the opportunity to utilize this tool and experience wholesomeness in family.”
President of SCC, Reverend Ziffus James, began his address referencing the shooting in Babonneau on Wednesday night. Both SCC and government agree that from statistics, research and observation of crimes such as murder, juvenile delinquency and suicide, Saint Lucia is in need of all the help possible and it should begin in the most fundamental unit in society; the family.
James noted; “There is a critical need for us to protect our children, for us to rescue our youth and for us to provide strong support to our families. We have to think seriously about providing strong social interventions for our people so that they will be whole as individuals, as families and as communities.”
The staff are going to focus on both rebuilding and developing healthy relationships and by ensuring counselling groups are available in communities to address issues of suicidal thoughts, mental illness, inadequate parenting skills and to help provide
coping mechanisms. Interventions for childhood depression/anxiety, Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), emotional and behaviourial disorders, and mental/emotional disturbance are provided at the Hope Centre. There will also be training for individuals interested in becoming counsellors or pastors.
The Southeastern Caribbean College opened its doors in Vieux Fort in 2011 and since then has equipped all its students with resourceful skills to contribute in communities in various forms. The Hope Project is more tangible and accessible, and is meant to be more catalytic in its progress than SCC’s previous work. The board, staff, students and Ministry of Equity, Social Justice, Empowerment, Youth Development, Sports, and Local Government are excited about the new endeavour. Although they have already been receiving plenty of support from communities, they look forward to expanding their work in the near future.
To contact the Hope Centre call 452-7973, email scchope@hotmail.com or visit the Hope Centre in Sans Souci, Castries.
