10/10/2024
PRESS RELEASE
BAEH celebrating a number of achievements in light of World Homelessness Day
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (October 9th, 2024) – In acknowledgement of World Homelessness Day, celebrated globally on October 10th, the Barbados Alliance to End Homelessness (BAEH) is celebrating a number of achievements.
President of the Barbados Alliance to End Homelessness (BAEH), Kemar Saffrey said the Alliance is happy to celebrate World Homelessness Day 2024, recognizing that it has been able to increase the number of job placements for homeless persons in Barbados and also successfully aid numerous clients in returning to mainstream society.
“One of the things that we want to emphasize this year is the achievements of the organization as we mark this significant day. Over the years, given our techniques and our tactics, we have seen nothing but tremendous outcomes for those that have faced homelessness. I can say clearly that the tireless work of staff and counsellors, coupled with the cooperation from the clients, has led to the turnaround and the success we’ve seen in terms of clients transitioning back into mainstream society” Mr. Saffrey remarked.
“We're really pleased with the outcome of our clients as it relates to our rehabilitation and reintegration programmes. Based on the number of services that we offer at the organization, whether it be counselling and mental health assistance, nursing aid, welfare assistance, housing solutions and job collaborations with the social network services, with the aid of our transition team, we've been able to see persons get themselves back into mainstream society and be able to get housing and jobs. In terms of the number of job placements this year, they have been tremendous. Corporate Barbados has come on board to make sure that the homeless, once treated and rehabilitated, are able to place themselves back into mainstream society” he added.
Mr. Saffrey revealed that since its existence, the BAEH has seen well over 1200 clients that have been affected by homelessness and the Alliance has had a 76 per cent success rate in rehabilitating its homeless clients back into mainstream society. Meanwhile, there are a number of employers still seeking out clients for job opportunities, given the success of the BAEH’s job placement programme.
The BAEH President is also marking its success in being able to work with the Barbados Government on the formation of the National Task Force on Homelessness, a cabinet approved committee that is now looking at policies, as well as collaborative strategies to tackle homelessness. He also acknowledged the government’s efforts in providing the BAEH with a subvention to bring on stream the first ever 24 hour shelter to assist not only homeless men, but also homeless women and children.
Acknowledging that there is still a lot of work to do given that homelessness continues to be an issue given such factors as family disputes, the use and abuse of drugs and mental health challenges, Saffrey maintained that the work of the Alliance will remain successful if there continues to be a collaborative effort to tackling homelessness.
As such, the BAEH is expressing its gratitude and appreciation to the Barbados Government, namely The Hon. Mia Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados for her leadership and for seeing the vision as it relates to ending homelessness; The Hon. Santia Bradshaw, Deputy Prime Minister for assisting in championing the cause and The Hon. Kirk Humphrey, Minister of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs and his Permanent Secretary, Mr. Jehu Wiltshire for their oversight thus far on key matters related to homelessness.
The BAEH also expresses thanks to the Maria Holder Memorial Trust and all other donors for their steadfast support in aiding the growth of the organization, as well as BAEH Board Members, BAEH Staff, members of the public and general well-wishers for the their continued support in assisting clients and also in fighting against homelessness in Barbados.
