Shelter gets paint; needs more donors

The opening of The Samantha Isaacs Learning Centre at The Shelter for Battered Women and Children in the 2019 phase one of renovations. -
The opening of The Samantha Isaacs Learning Centre at The Shelter for Battered Women and Children in the 2019 phase one of renovations. -

ANSA Coatings has donated 65 gallons of emulsion paint to The Shelter for Battered Women and Children’s safe house.

The shelter’s roof, electricals and plumbing, as well as administration offices, bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchen and dining rooms were in dire need of repair. The refurbished building is scheduled for completion in January 2021.

Established in 1987, The Shelter has provided a safe haven to hundreds of domestic abuse victims; offering temporary housing, skillset training for adult residents, continued therapy and home visits, as well as perpetrator therapy to break the cycle of violence, said a media release.

Committee members Sherron Walker Harford and chairman Scott Hamilton overseeing the renovations to the safe house. -

The Shelter is a non-profit organisation which is managed by a committee of volunteers. It receives a government subvention, but fundraising events and donations are integral to its sustainability. Committee chairman Scott Hamilton thanked ANSA Coatings but also appealed to donors for support, the release said.

“We remain profoundly grateful to ANSA Coatings for their generosity, this will help to transform our building into a home for these displaced families. The company also offered to assist with painting of the building for free, but with the pandemic this wasn’t possible," Hamilton said in the release.

"The covid19 restrictions locally and globally have led to a 30 per cent rise in reports of domestic violence, yet we have also experienced a drastic decrease in revenue, as we have been unable to host our popular annual fundraisers. So, we continue to appeal to the public to assist us with donations, which can be as small as $10 through TEGO, as well as to suppliers to donate or discount building materials. It’s been a challenge, but we will get through these tough times, now more than ever we need to support each other.”

Phase Two of The Samantha Isaacs Learning Centre is scheduled for completion by January 2021. -

In 2019, phase one of project, the Samantha Isaacs Learning Centre at the safe house was completed. Named in memory of a victim of domestic violence, the centre houses a multi-media library, art therapy and computer areas, and has also been used to host training sessions for stakeholders. Hamilton thanked corporate sponsors including Republic Bank Ltd through its Make A Difference Fund, The Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Sagicor, the Digicel Foundation, The Australian High Commission and the public.

Architects Maureen Legge and Colvin Chen have offered pro bono services and the donation of supplies from Ansa Coatings, Tang Yuk Lighting, Tile Warehouse, Winsys Ltd, BetaHomes, The Lock Shop and Waste Disposals have been integral to the progress of renovations, the release said.

For more info on the shelter: Facebook or www.trinidadshelter.com

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