The Audrey Mollineau Halfway
House is situated at 119 Tenth Street , Barataria and was
opened in March 1999. The Home is so named to pay tribute
to the donor of the property, and provides residential
accommodation for twenty women who were homeless with psychiatric
problems who on being discharged from St. Ann 's Hospital
have nowhere to live.
They participate in a programme of
rehabilitation and skills learning e.g. embroidery, cooking,
handicraft, literacy that will facilitate their re-integration
into society. The Government of Trinidad and Tobago collaborated closely
in the project by providing financial assistance for construction
of the Home and for recurrent expenditure.
The idea was born out of the need to provide rehabilitation
services for women who are experiencing homelessness as
a result of emotional difficulties.
The Home offers programmes
for regaining social skills for use in everyday, living,
recreational and vocational training. Residents are not
only provided with shelter but given every opportunity
to develop to their full potential, to live fulfilled
lives and to contribute to the common good by providing
social skills needed for independent living.
The three storey building includes double room accommodation,
a spacious living room and communal dining area on the
ground floor, a T.V. room on the first floor, cooking and
laundry facilities and an open area on the rooftop suitable
for relaxation, functions and get-togethers. There is a
counselling room administration office, administration
office, workshop and staff quarters on the ground floor.
Programme activities fell under the following headings:
- Medical
- Group
- Social and recreational
- Educational
- Occupational
MEDICAL
All residents attend out patient clinic at St. Ann 's
Mental Hospital. In addition, the Community Mental Health
Officer and Social Welfare Officer for the area attend
to the residents on a monthly basis at the Home.
GROUP ACTIVITIES
- Resident group discussions are held daily to allow
for residents to give and receive feedback re: chores,
activities and anything of interest.
- Community meetings are held on
a monthly basis for development of interaction between
resident and resident and resident and staff.
- Diagnostic
and treatment group discussions are also held and facilitated
by medical health professionals attached to the Ministry
of Health. These exercises build self esteem and self
confidence in the participants.
SOCIAL & RECREATIONAL
Daily activities start with communal worship followed
by breakfast. Group outings include sea-bathing, Carnival
shows, concerts, seminars and cultural shows. Prayer sessions
are held by friends of the home. Individuals are also encouraged
to attend religious activities.
During the evening period, residents occupy themselves
by playing table top games and viewing television.
EDUCATIONAL
Twice weekly, literacy classes are conducted by volunteers.
Lectures on health education, personal hygiene and family
life education, social skills, nutrition and consumer self-help
programmes are also conducted. Residents attend Adult Education
classes and one is doing computer studies.
OCCUPATIONAL
Work is done in three areas, kitchen, living area and
bathroom and supervised by staff. Programmes in handicraft,
cooking, floral decorating and sewing are in operation.
Laundry and cleaning services for the public are available. |
