Twenty participants have signed on to get off financial assistance by strengthening their skills through a joint initiative launched in March.The main objective of the joint initiative with the Bermuda Women’s Council and the Department of Human Affairs is to facilitate the transition from needing assistance to becoming self-sufficient.Updating the media yesterday, Community Minister Wayne Scott said the Community Driven Development programme (CDD) was presented to a number of women on financial assistance and child care allowance.“Of the 84 women who attended, approximately 40 indicated an interest in joining.”Occupational and educational assessments were held with about 30 women to determine whether there was a serious commitment to the project.Once the assessments were carried out, staff recognised there were differing skill and ability levels, plus gaps in education and experience.Further training was deemed necessary in a number of areas, including life skills, counselling in the areas of relationship and anger management and further education to attain a General Education Diploma (GED).Agreements setting out “the roles and responsibilities of the participants and the Department of Human Affairs” were drafted for signatories.“In all, 20 participants signed the agreement and the project formally launched in July,” said the Minister.Since March, I am pleased to announce that ten of the participants have enrolled in the GED and two in PACE courses.“This CDD Programme is a tangible example of how this Ministry’s Social Recovery Initiative and this Government are moving Bermuda in the right direction.”Using a four-pronged approach he said several businesses and community organisations have signed on to assist with workshops, seminars, field trips and educational courses. The participants will also be required to do volunteer work.“This practice is consistent with the requirement in the 2013 Amendments to the Financial Assistance Regulations — that able-bodied persons receiving financial assistance must complete fifteen hours a week of community service,” said Mr Scott.He also thanked ACE Women’s Forum-Bermuda “for their endorsement and support of this initiative”.“They have graciously provided the use of space and facilities at ACE’s Learning Centre and members of ACE Women’s Forum will conduct a series of workshops,” he added.Oneika Darrell, one of the participants told reporters that both she and her sister are caught in two systems — Child and Family Services and Financial Assistance.“We are breaking the cycle of generational poverty by attending this CDD programme which aims to provide us with the necessary tools towards financial and emotional freedom.“This freedom will make us better individuals and lead to financial independence. We can then empower our children to do better and be productive citizens of our Island,” she said.She noted that 100 percent of women like her are mothers, 50 percent don’t have a high school diploma, 25 percent have more than four children and 35 percent of them are grandmothers.But she said: “100 percent of us are vested in this programme and believe the CDD project works.”