A Bermudian with more than two decades of experience in human services has been appointed to the board of directors of the charity Home.

The charity said Tiffanne Thomas experience in working with the vulnerable within the community brought valuable insights to the role.

Dr Thomas is the chief operations officer at Family Centre, where she oversees performs several administrative roles including supervision of staff and oversees human resources, IT, fiscal management and compliance, ensuring all programmes and services run efficiently.

She is the founder and former executive director of Transitional Community Services, a non-profit organisation that works with vulnerable and at-risk adult men aged 18 to 34. She continues to serve as vice chair of the organisation’s board of directors.

Dr Thomas said she was proud to take on her new role.

“This work is deeply meaningful because it pairs compassion with strategic, systemic change,” she said.

“Home does more than address homelessness; it challenges us to rethink what safety, dignity and community truly mean in Bermuda.

“Throughout my career, I have been passionate about meeting the needs of the ‘whole person’ to provide the support that’s needed to reach an optimal level of functioning.

“I believe we all have innate strengths we can use to support our individual paths towards success.

“By advocating, reforming and building solutions that last, we are laying the foundation for a Bermuda where every person is valued and housed.

“I am committed to this work because creating sustainable change today ensures that future generations inherit a stronger, more just Bermuda.”

Arthur Wightman, chair of Home, said: “We are delighted that Dr Tiffanne has agreed to join our board.

“Her deep experience of supporting the most vulnerable individuals and families in our community will bring valuable insights.

“Her leadership in founding TCS to meet the needs of vulnerable Black males — who make up the majority of those experiencing homelessness in Bermuda — aligns with Home’s commitment to give individuals the support and services they need to progress to stable, independent living.”

Denise Carey, chief executive and executive director of Home, said: “Dr Thomas brings a wealth of knowledge, compassion, and proven leadership to our board, and we are honoured to welcome her.

“Her longstanding commitment to uplifting vulnerable individuals aligns perfectly with Home’s mission and values.

“We look forward to the strategic insight she will bring as we continue working to ensure that every person in Bermuda has a place to call home.”

The charity, which was founded four years ago, supports people permanently out of homelessness and prevents new cases of homelessness.

It has promoted system-wide collaboration and worked closely with the Government, non-governmental agencies, charities, philanthropies, and the religious and wider local community to track, reduce and end homelessness and to produce the Plan to End Homelessness.

Home provides people experiencing homelessness with shelter and support to help them get back to sustainable, independent living.

Through its housing programme, each tenant is assigned a case manager to help them acquire health services, open bank accounts, secure accommodation and gain employment opportunities.

It also operates a Renting Ready programme, which covers understanding tenants’ rights and responsibilities, and financial management, to help reduce the incidence of evictions.

As of the end of last year, the charity identified 1,101 people experiencing homelessness in Bermuda.

In addition, last year it supported 306 clients, prevented 65 new cases of homelessness, and found settled housing for 49 formerly homeless people, working with the Bermuda Housing Corporation and private landlords.