The Family Support Network provides either counselling, financial assistance, or food to an average of eight clients each day, but the organisation barely makes enough money to manage, Executive Director Dr. Sylvia Simmons said Tuesday.
Meanwhile, the demand is growing, particularly on the sister islands, according to the counsellor.
“Social issues are kicking our butts big time: We have to address these issues,” she said. “We have to take this seriously, and we have to recognise that we have a problem.”
Over the last two months, the FSN has been visiting Virgin Gorda once a week to provide services to victims of domestic violence and counselling for offenders, Dr. Simmons said.
Services have also been provided to clients on Jost Van Dyke and Anegada in the past.
“The sister islands are underserved,” she said. “They don’t get the food component, but they do get counselling, and we’ve even had to have phone counselling too.”
Dr. Simmons said she hopes more will be done in the future on the islands.
On Monday, the FSN issued a statement giving insight into its annual report, which Ms. Simmons said will soon be completed and submitted to Cabinet.
See the July 14, 2016 edition for full coverage.
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