JIS: A new multipurpose building, valued approximately $16 million, was officially opened at the St. Augustine Place of Safety, an all-boys institution located in Clarendon, on Tuesday (April 24).
Construction of the building, which was funded by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information through the Child Protection and Family Services Agency (CPFSA), is in keeping with the Government’s commitment to improve service delivery to children in State care.
State Minister, Hon. Floyd Green, who participated in the ceremony, said he was elated that the building has been provided, noting that St. Augustine was in dire need of the facility.
He told JIS News the building will help with the development of the boys residing at the home, noting that it will be used for skills training and sports, among other activities.
“The area gives us the ability to have a number of interventions with the children. We have areas where they can have indoor games (and activities) such as table tennis, group counselling sessions, and staff training,” the State Minister added.
Mr. Green said the facility also includes a new administrative block, comprising office space for the manager, assistant manager and social care workers, as well as a new food preparation area, “which we think (are) important (so) that (the staff) are able to operate in a sense of comfort; so (the building is) a great addition to the Clarendon Child Protection and Family Services”.
The State Minister, who toured the compound, commended the administrators on the success of the institution’s farm, which is self-sufficient in the production of layer chickens and eggs, and also supplies provisions to neighbouring all-girls home, Summerfield Child Care Facility.
Meanwhile, Mr. Green advised of additional development plans for St. Augustine.
“Our next step… is to construct a new… modern dorm facility. We expect to start work this year, and that will go over the next two years,” he told JIS News.
CAPTION: State Minister in the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information, Hon. Floyd Green (left), examines a kite made by boys at St. Augustine Place of Safety in Clarendon along with Manager of the facility, Michael Coward (centre); and Chief Executive Officer, Child Protection and Family Services Agency, Rosalee Gage-Grey, following Tuesday’s (April 20) official opening of a new $16-million multipurpose building at the institution.