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‘Unprecedented’ demand from single mothers

A charity set up to assist women and their children facing hardship has experienced “unprecedented” demand from struggling single mothers.

Elaine Butterfield, the executive director of the Women’s Resource Centre, said the charity had fielded about 25 calls a day from families in need since the Covid-19 pandemic began.

Ms Butterfield added: “It can be a mother who is fearful because she has nothing in the house to eat for her kids and needs to share her fear of not having a job to return to.

“Every call we receive is from someone who is stressed — the stress of the suddenness and the uncertainty of all of this, as well as the lack of ability to control it.”

She said: “The demand for support services is unprecedented. Our physical offices are closed, but we are working from home from our mobile phones.

“With the demands so great, it is hard to say no or not answer a call, even into the night.”

Ms Butterfield said the charity had distributed more than 300 grocery vouchers to 161 families headed by unemployed mothers. More calls keep coming in.

She added: “We have been taking requests and will be making another distribution of vouchers at the end of April as well as in May, if the funding will allow.”

Rita Jones, a single mother who works part-time as a caregiver, said she had benefited from the vouchers.

Ms Jones explained, before the shelter-in-place order kicked in, she had also worked part-time as a cleaner, but had to stop because of the pandemic.

She said: “It has been a struggle at times, but the Women’s Resource Centre has helped keep me afloat.

“The little bit of money that has been coming in has been going towards food.

“I actually feel like I’m blessed because I have support from the WRC and [the Department of] Financial Assistance, who have helped with rent and electricity.

“I’m one of the lucky ones.”

Ms Butterfield said staff were trained to “triage” clients and refer them to other charities such as Age Concern, the Centre Against Abuse or the Coalition for the Protection of Children, if appropriate.

She added that the charity backed the Government’s efforts to control the virus, but that the shelter-in-place order had increased demand for help.

Ms Butterfield said: “It also means that the chance of our lives returning to normal will be greatly challenged.

“Client needs will change as clients basic emotional realities change, including relationships and our basic identity as folks. We will have to find new jobs, new homes and new normals.”

Ms Butterfield predicted the increased demand for help could run into next year.

The charity was recently given a $1,000 boost from Butterfield Bank to help pay for grocery vouchers.

Bank staff raised $500 through a denim day as part of International Women’s Day on March 6 and the bank matched the funds raised.

Ms Butterfield said the charity was grateful for the support of the bank and other donors.

She said: “Their support will allow us to provide our valued clients with grocery vouchers, counselling and emotional support that is so necessary during these unprecedented times.

“Their partnership will allow the WRC to remain in a position of support beyond the immediate demand, to ensure the extended support that will be necessary.”

Unemployed women with children of any age who want to apply for a voucher should contact the WRC at 533-3882 from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, or by e-mail to wrc@wrcbermuda.com