Open Arms embraces homeless for Christmas, thanks to donors - Centre hopes to secure more support to continue work next year
Published:Tuesday | December 29, 2020 | 12:12 AMNadine Wilson-Harris/Staff Reporter
It was a merry Christmas last Friday for residents at the Open Arms Development Centre, thanks to the support of donors, but with the festivities now behind them, administrator of the Windward Road-based facility Yvonne Grant is hoping the generosity will continue into 2021 as she seeks to raise $25 million to finance operations.
The facility, which provides shelter, food, and rehabilitation for homeless persons, receives a $5 million subvention from the Ministry of Local Government annually, but providing as many as 300 meals some days, financing skills training and certification, and improving social skills among the homeless comes at a cost.
Grant is hoping that the wide range of social intervention projects currently undertaken by the group will help to bolster their budget. The residents, who Grant calls “participants”, have already produced multipurpose bags, sheet sets, cushions, and other products, which they hope to sell, and an apiary on location currently produces honey for sale.
Fundraiser cancelled
The pandemic forced the centre to forego its annual brunch this year, which, in the past, had been a major fundraiser, but corporate and individual donors still came to their rescue.
“It is very expensive for us because of COVID,” said Grant, who co-founded the facility in 2006, adding that purchasing items for sanitisation has eaten a big chunk out of their budget.
Donors from the United States and Canada contributed funds to purchase a bus recently and individuals and groups contributed meals and funding to ensure that the residents had a feast on Christmas Day.
“Our donors came through for us even though many of the families had financial challenges,” Grant said, beaming.
“They had stew pork, they had chicken, they had curried goat, they had fish, gungo rice and peas. They had ice cream; we had a big cake … ,” said Grant, who noted that they also had ham and bread pudding on the Christmas menu.
“We had a good time. Give God thanks. We had a really good time,” she said.
The residents were found busy cleaning the kitchen and dining room when The Gleaner made an impromptu visit yesterday.
Occupancy drops
The centre has seen its occupancy level drop from 80 to 40 since March as it has ceased taking in persons due to government protocols aimed at controlling the spread of COVID-19. Although there is a house for 10 females, all have since gone home, and that facility is now being reserved for quarantine in the event of a COVID-19 case or outbreak.
Of the 40 males, about 10 have since secured jobs after receiving rehabilitation and skills training through the centre.
“These were guys that were homeless and were just on the streets or come up on hard times,” Grant said.
About 20 per cent of the persons who are sheltered at the home are deportees, and like everyone else, usually go through three levels of rehabilitation. The first level involves a detailed assessment and counselling to help them adjust to their reality. Secondly, they are given training and preparation for the work world, and then they acquire the necessary certification and are assisted in securing essential documents for a job search.
“We have space to take in, but after COVID is over,” said Grant.