Dragonfly Centre: Families in Action Celebrates 25th Anniversary

Mission

Non-Profit, 501(c)(3)

Mission: The Dragonfly Centre is committed to the elimination of domestic violence against women and their children by providing victim friendly services that promotes the empowerment of survivors; through advocacy, public awareness and education and community based initiatives.

Vision: The Dragonfly Centre envisions a world free of violence against women and their children and social justice for all. We are founded on the vision and belief that every person has the right to live in a safe environment free from violence and the fear of violence and strive to work collaboratively with the community to provide victim friendly services to support domestic violence victims, survivors to the stage of thriving.

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Sunday, April 21, 2013

Families in Action Celebrates 25th Anniversary

Families in Action celebrates 25th anniversary with Thanksgiving Mass

Sunday, April 21 2013

In 1988, the late Ivis Gibson received the devastating news that an employee of her personnel agency had killed his own mother for money to support an addiction to cocaine. Gibson decided to don armour in the battle against addiction and its threats to devastate families. With help from other dedicated and concerned citizens, Families in Action (FIA) was born as a volunteer-based Drop-in centre for persons and families challenged by drugs, alcohol and other addictions.

Families in Action celebrates 25 years as a legally incorporated, non-profit, non-governmental organisation tomorrow, April 22

Celebrations includes several events this month and continuing over the year into April 2014 including a Thanksgiving Mass today followed by a walk to the Botanical Gardens where friends, family, and staff will enjoy a fun day. This will be followed by a “Families Who Can Cook” event on May 25 at Lion’s Cultural Centre, Port-of-Spain.

The mission of Families in Action is to promote healthy family life, balancing emotional, physical, spiritual, social and psychological needs. We are moved to regenerate both the family unit and/or any individual of that unit experiencing pain, isolation, addiction or dysfunction.

Families in Action has evolved, expanding in response to the social issues being faced by the nation. In addition to its primary focus of individual and family counselling programmes and services, the organisation, currently under the guidance of managing director Elizabeth Spence, also provides:

* Outreach services to communities throughout Trinidad and Tobago

* Addictions Support Programme Services

* Counselling Services for individuals and families

* Employee Assistance and Workplace Support services to the corporate world

* Parenting Programmes

* Youth Education Programmes at both primary and secondary school levels

* 24-hour Hotline Listening Services

* Domestic Violence Support Group for Women

* Vacation Programmes for Teens

* Hotline Listener workshops.

* Distribution of Food Hampers at Christmas time

In spite of perennial funding cuts and funding shortages, and relying on the generosity of private and corporate benefactors, internal fund-raising initiatives, umbrella ministries and the its Employee Assistance Department, the organisation continues to keep its doors open, placing particular emphasis on its parenting and youth education programmes.

For information about programmes please go to www.familiesinaction.net or call 622-6952.

Source: http://www.newsday.co.tt/features/0,176607.html

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A Little Background…..

In 2007 I was introduced to the twin island Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. It is a beautiful tropical country located in the southern most part of the Caribbean archipelago. However, the opportunity to travel to this part of the world would not present itself until March of 2009. It was an incredible experience to be able to visit a country where I had never been before and I literally knew no-one. I had the privilege to experience a new culture and meet many wonderful people who made my trip an amazing experience. Although the purpose of my visit was recreational, something happened that changed all of that. One evening while on a hike with my tour guide and one of the locals at The ASA Wright Nature Centre, one of the men asked me where I was from and what I did for a living. It was at that moment that I disclosed that I was a Domestic Violence Advocate. He paused, looked at me and replied,… “we need you here”. At that moment I did not fully understand what he meant or how I could help.

A few days after this I visited one of the local court houses to learn about how someone could obtain a protection order. What I discovered disturbed me greatly, to say the least. The process by which abused individuals could obtain legal protections left much to be desired. This sparked grave concern for victims coupled with a desire to learn more about the local system and services. After I finished my travels all I could think about was the need of the people in Trinidad and Tobago. It was shortly after my return to the United States that the Dragonfly Centre for Women’s Empowerment and Transformation began to take form. While completing my Bachelors degree at Evergreen College, I developed an Individual Learning Contract entitled “Domestic Violence in Trinidad and Tobago” and was awarded The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship. This allowed me to return to Trinidad and Tobago for my final quarter at the end of December of 2009 for my nine week study. My focus was on services addressing domestic violence. What I came away with was the echoing cries for help by the people who freely shared their personal views and stories. Although I wasn’t quite sure what, I knew I had to do something. As a consequence, it was these cries that gave birth to and helped shape the Dragonfly Centre to be what it is, a multifaceted institution with a focus on public education, shaping public policy and providing direct victim friendly services to support families dealing with domestic violence.