A place of hope
Building strength, stability and self-reliance through security
“The best thing about Cup Match and summer is that we can live in a tent and everybody just thinks that we are camping.”
- Troy, 9
The Transformational Living Centre (TLC) for Families
TLC is a purpose-designed housing facility on Parson’s Road in Pembroke, formerly the Pembroke Rest Home.
In addition to providing secure housing for up to 24 months, families will be provided with a range of developmental, educational and therapeutic programmes that are designed to heal, empower and transition; with a goal of achieving self-sufficiency and the capacity to thrive successfully within the broader community.
During their time at The TLC Families will be supported by Case Management and other wrap-around Support Services through this development. At completion of the program, families will graduate successfully to independent lifestyles. Families may receive further case management and support services through the Women’s Resource Centre post-graduation should they require.
The fundamental assessment of society’s most vulnerable people is that very little can be accomplished developmentally or therapeutically unless or until one’s basic needs for food and shelter are met.
A facility unique to Bermuda
While the design and operation of this facility is unique to Bermuda, it is based on a thorough review of the most successful community-based shelters for homeless families in Canada and the U.S. as well as an extensive review of the academic research assessing the outcomes of ‘Housing First’ models through our affiliation with the Canadian Homeless Research Network.
Existing programmes and facilities attempting to accomplish the former without the latter have failed and the cost to families has been enormous.
TLC seeks to change that trajectory and, with the help of generous support from the community, we believe this can not only be accomplished but will establish a model that can be replicated throughout Bermuda.
More than just a home
Transformational programmes and services
TLC is designed to be a safe, holistic, supportive and therapeutic environment for homeless families, while empowering them to become independent and self-sufficient. The facility will provide a comprehensive range of services and opportunities, including but not limited to:
counselling
employment readiness
further education
training courses and life skills
These support services will be of high quality, client centred, strength based and delivered with respect, dignity, empathy and compassion. This transformational component will be delivered by a collaboration of services, to ensure any family transitioning through the facility has every opportunity to receive transformative skills and training, enabling them to move forward with strength, confidence and stability.
“I had been off work with cancer treatments and had to choose between paying the rent and feeding my kids, so I got so behind and finally we got evicted. I don’t blame the landlord, but this is where we are...not saying where.”
Over the next 5 years, the TLC for Families will make a profound difference in the lives of 45 families and as many as 75 children. The projected residential capacity at TLC will be 9 families, which could include as many as 30 children, per 24 month period.
Programmes available to the community
The range of programmes provided at the facility will be available to the broader community, through the Women’s Resource Centre as the Transformational Support Services Program without the accommodation component.
The process includes needs assessments, empowerment education, job training, employability skills, development, transitioning and ongoing support. The needs assessment will help us to understand and design a response tailored for their specific needs. They will also go through literacy and numerical assessment and placement tests.
Assessment and evaluation methods
At the outset, each family (including children) will be assessed according to their needs, service requirements and their goals for future development. This assessment will determine the individualised plan that will be provided.
The assessment will be updated and reviewed at 3-month intervals throughout the families’ stay (estimated to be anywhere between 6 and 12 months). Upon departure, the measure of the programme’s success will be based upon the family’s ability to manage successfully in the wider community with a place to live, a sense of self-worth and a form of self-sufficiency.
View the Transformational Programme & Services
View the TLC Children’s Programme
Education and Life Skills Training Programme Partners
The range of programmes provided at the facility will also be available to Programme Partners.
Other partners may contribute to the programme as required.
