Hope Homes and the Ministry of Health are locked in a bitter stand-off which could result in the residential home for the mentally challenged striking out on their own, renouncing any and all Government assistance.

After a meeting on Wednesday evening between Hope Homes, Health Minister Patrice Minors, fundraising group Project 100, St. Brendan?s Hospital and the Department of Financial Assistance, Hope Homes is fighting to keep things they way they have been for the past 20 years ? while Project 100 wants to move with the times.

?All parties need to reflect on what is best for the needs of the mentally challenged,? Project 100 president Judy Panchaud-White said this week. ?Be prepared to make changes going forward.?

But Hope Homes said Project 100 and the Ministry are merely ?regurgitating? plans laid down by Hope Homes founder Ellen Douglas 20 years ago, and said despite their efforts to maintain control, the Minister has already decided what she wants to do.

Hope Homes has been facing a crisis since its Brunswick Street facility was condemned three years ago, forcing residents to be moved by Government to Lefroy House in Dockyard.

Last month Mrs. Minors challenged the Hope Homes board to uphold their responsibilities. ?As a result of the increasing and ongoing concerns, the Ministry has been looking at ways to assist Hope Homes in their mission and, failing that, possible alternative measures to ensure the safety and well-being of the clients while fortifying programme management,? she said at the time.

?The Ministry is committed to the mission of Hope Homes and for this reason a grant is provided to the Board. In cases like this where stated goals are not being met, the Ministry has tried to encourage and persuade this grant recipient to take the necessary corrective action in order to carry out their responsibility. If Hope Homes will not do what is required of them, the Ministry will take whatever steps necessary to ensure that this segment of the community is well-served.?

With the Ministry contacting Project 100 for assistance in moving Hope Homes forward, it appears Mrs. Minors is making good on her threat ? despite protests from Hope Homes that they are doing all they can.

Mrs. Panchaud-White said the Ministry contacted her group in light of their experience partnering with St. Brendan?s to open two group residential homes for the mentally challenged.

In a letter addressed to Mrs. Minors, Project 100 proposed the Hope Homes charity be wound up, their facility be transferred to the Project 100 Property Trust, and the facility either be renovated or sold, with the proceeds used to buy smaller residences for six or seven people at a time. They also proposed St. Brendan?s become responsible for providing care for Hope Homes residents.

Hope Homes, on the other hand, protest they have plans to renovate their facility as well as open a gift shop to create more revenue, and blamed Government for leaving them ?held hostage for funds?. Mrs. Douglas and her husband have been using their retirement savings to pay for costs such as transportation, special projects officer Ben Nunn said, while the Department of Financial Assistance has been delinquent with cheques owed to the facility.

Hope Homes is also fighting the idea of splitting their 14 residents into smaller groups. ?They are talking about severing and separating the family unit, making them further dysfunctional,? Mr. Nunn said.

?We are now considering unplugging from Government altogether ... With the hardships and obstacles Government has caused, and the link between Government and Project 100, we are now considering private funding.?

The charity is appealing to the public for assistance. Mrs. Minors did not return calls from .