Minister of Social Care, Steve Blackett. (FP)
Minister of Social Care, Constituency Empowerment and Community Development, Steven Blackett, has lauded the Thelma Vaughan Memorial Home for its “sterling contribution” to advancing and empowering persons living with disabilities in Barbados.
Mr. Blackett was speaking at the opening of the Home’s new Multi-Purpose Administration Building, located at Glebe Land, St. George.
He lauded the institution for its service since it first opened its doors in 1971, as the only one offering 24-hour residential care for physically disabled children.
“The record will, therefore, show that over the past 46 years, the Thelma Vaughan Memorial Home has been a distinguished ally in the fight to advance the cause of persons living with disabilities.
“I have no doubt that the future of persons in Barbados living with disabilities in so far as their empowerment, integration and inclusion are concerned, will continue to be in good hands, provided that actors such as the Thelma Vaughan Memorial Home are involved,” the Minister stated.
Mr. Blackett added that “from the outset”, the institution has and continues to valiantly respond to the needs of its clients, in providing an “invaluable” social service to the most vulnerable members of our society.
He pledged the continued support of his Ministry in “enhancing the overall quality of life for persons living with disabilities”, and subsequently thanked all those persons and institutions who would have contributed to this effort.
The new facility will also be used as a day care service and respite centre for children from the Because of Jenna Trust, a charity registered in January 2004 dedicated to easing the suffering of severely brain-injured children in Barbados and improving their quality of life.