Teen Haven seeks to plug a $100,000 gap
A shelter for teenaged mothers is launching a campaign to raise $100,000 to help keep its programmes going.According to Teen Services Director Michelle Wade, it costs $380,000 annually to run Teen Haven, a home for mothers aged 16 to 24.She said the shelter, like other organisations on the Island, was suffering in the economic downturn and had a shortfall of about $100,000.In order to raise cash and keep young people off the streets, the agency will be hosting tag days on February 25 and 28 at different locations around the Island.They will also be appealing for funding from companies, Ms Wade explained.There are currently five women and eight children living at Teen Haven; with two mothers awaiting residency.“Most of them are here because families are not able to accommodate them so they have to come here for a year to kind of get back on their feet.“We have residents that are here working, some have lost their jobs recently because of setbacks. We have residents here pursuing a high school education and we have two residents doing classes at the Bermuda College.“If they were not here I don’t think they would have anywhere safe to go. I think the community understands we are a last resort for those that have tried to live with family members or live on their own [with no success].”She said the shelter, which offers life skills, parenting, support groups and individual counselling, has always been at least 75 percent full.Their programmes teach young mothers how to manage a household, including cleaning and grocery shopping on a budget.They also use a curfew system to encourage the women to be home at a certain hour and settle their children at night.The Haven is currently under-staffed due to the recession and has had to cut some programmes. However, they have managed to keep their 24/7 supervision running, said Ms Wade.Some of their programmes serve to empower residents to find jobs or prepare them for life outside the shelter.Ms Wade said: “We have never questioned whether we need the Haven. We know the community needs the Haven to assist the centre in keeping young people off the streets, knowing they are able to bathe and eat and have somewhere safe and that they are with their children rather than splitting them up and getting them in the system.“So we are a great resource to Child and Family Services. We are trying our best to keep programmes ongoing, but like everyone else we are experiencing the economic crunch.”She encouraged the public to give generously at the Haven’s annual tag day, particularly for the sake of the children.“Everyone deserves a home. It’s just a simple basic need and we try our best to provide what we can for these young mothers so they can be productive citizens.“And so that when they finish with this programme they can give back and teach another young person.”She thanked the Bermuda Government and all the sponsors that have contributed to the cause for the last 30 years.Ms Wade hoped the general public would also show their support by donating or serving as volunteers for their Tag Days.Anyone interested in helping can call Teen Services on 295-3220 or 292-4598.l Useful websites: www.teensofbermuda.org, www.gov.bm
A young mum admits she is “thankful” for Teen Services, which provided her children with a safe living space in her time of need.
The woman, who asked not to be named, risked losing her three children after the house they were living in was deemed unsuitable.
She said family members couldn't afford to house her and her children; and her last resort was to stay at Teen Haven.
Speaking to The Royal Gazette, the woman said: “I am very thankful.
“I couldn't even tell you where I would be if I was not here, because I didn't have the family support system where they would say you can come and stay with us.
“The other thing was I wasn't working and everyone's budget was really tight.”
After her original living situation fell apart early last year, her two older sons were temporarily put in foster care.
Her newborn daughter, who was born with a cleft palate, was also at risk of being taken away shortly after being delivered.
Since the ordeal, which she said left her feeling that she had failed her children, she has slowly been trying to rebuild her life.
With help from Teen Haven staff she has regained custody of her eldest son and is applying to find work as a secretary.
Through its programmes she has learnt better life skills, including how to take care of a household and budget her earnings.
According to Michelle Wade, the director of Teen Services, many young mothers find it challenging to find a job and adequate wages after leaving the shelter.
Many can only afford $1,000 a month for rent and often times find it hard to make ends meet in the real world.
As a result, the agency works closely with Bermuda Housing Corporation to find affordable housing for its clients and tries to prepare them.
The woman said she understands there will be a tough road ahead when she is out living on her own.
“Sometimes I feel like I wouldn't make it, like it's impossible,” she said. Still she said it's important to better her life and support all of her children.
“It's very important because I feel if I am not there, if I can't do it, no one else can show my kids as much love as their mother can.
“They will grow up and still be vying for their mother's love. I do not want a repeat of what my oldest son went through [having trouble in the foster care system].
“I don't want them to go through the rest of their life and maybe never know a mother's love.”
