A call went out yesterday for people who had "fallen through the cracks of society" to unite and transform lives in Bermuda.

The woman behind the self-help support group ? St David's resident Althea Iris ? told the aim was to help vulnerable people she said the system ignored.

This included those with health, drug and alcohol problems, she said, some of whom end up camping in parks on the Island because they have no access to property in Bermuda's fiercely competitive housing market.

Community worker Mrs. Iris, 47, said the 'People's Alliance' jobs and homes initiative was aimed at people who were homeless, or one pay cheque away from losing their house.

"Some people can't get their needs met from Government agencies because their needs are so high," said the 47-year-old, who said her tough upbringing and Christian faith had inspired her to help others. "So we are going to start the People's Alliance to come together and service ourselves.

"They could go to the system and say 'help us', but they do not qualify because it is set up for the status quo. We are trying to set up a new status quo for broken people."

She said the initial aim was to get people together to tell their stories, in a bid to break the social stigmatism and shame of poverty in Bermuda.

"There are a lot of people out there in Bermuda just as bad as Tsunami and Louisiana survivors. But there is a lot of paranoia about saying: 'We are poor'.

"These are the people who are desperate, lost and who have fallen through the cracks. Our call goes out to them."

She said the goal was to pool resources and create a safety net of housing, employment and social insurance.

Anyone interested in helping launch the new group, which is looking for leaders, should contact PO Box HS128, Harrington Sound, HSBX.