Boys Training Centre
About Us
Background and History of BTC /Key Purpose –Reason for Its Existence
The Boys Training Centre was formally founded on 20th February 1960, and was initially built to house approximately forty (40) boys. Its creation and founding stemmed from the fact that by the late 1950’s the authorities in Saint Lucia were bombarded with a prevailing patterns of delinquent behaviour among a growing number of male youths, suggested that it had become necessary for the nation to employ the services of a residential facility that could both accommodate and rehabilitate a growing number of delinquent youths, who were rapidly becoming a menace to society, especially in the city of Castries.
Primarily, the Boys Training Centre is engaged in the process of Rehabilitative and Reintegration of children between the ages of 10 and 18 years old, who have been placed at the institution either in the category of a) Children in Conflict with the Law, or b) Children in Need of Care and Protection. Whilst at the institution, all children are exposed to a range of structured programs and activities that enhance their overall psychosocial development. Such programs, which further spiritual and character development, are strategically geared towards helping them modify their behaviors, while also furthering their academic and vocational growth. As such, children are guided to become productive and functional citizens who will return to their community and contribute to the development and security of the society.
Mission Statement
To provide care, intervention and character development services for all residents within a safe and secure environment, which enables them to develop life-skills through educational, vocational and character development programs. Residents will be empowered to be productive and functional citizens and will contribute to the development and security of their communities.
Vision Statement
A rehabilitation and reintegration process that facilitates the development of residents who are in conflict with the law or in need of care and protection, to modify their behaviour, attain their full potential, while maintaining their dignity and self-worth.
The Welfare Unit's Mandate
Mandate of the Welfare Services Unit
- Promote Equity and rights: is committed to a rights-based approach to development, and to ensuring that individuals have equal opportunities for meaningful social and economic development and free from discrimination.
- Pro-poor focus: a rights-based approach (implies) a conscious focus of policy and interventions on the needs of the poor, especially those living in extreme poverty, and on the protection of those who risk entering into poverty.
- Breaking the cycle of poverty: human capital investments in education, health, and nutrition and skill development carefully targeted so that vulnerable children and their families are able to overcome the inter-generational cycle of poverty.
- Social protection: protection, promotion, prevention and transformative; protect the most vulnerable in society, without sustaining or increasing their dependency whenever possible, and to address, to the maximum extent possible, the root causes of their vulnerability.
- Empowerment: development that is people-centred and that values individuals and communities more than financial wealth and material goods.
Monday – Friday
8:00am – 4:30pm
Massade Gros Islet Saint Lucia
(758) 452-5094
email: btcslu@ministryofequitystlucia.com
Services
The most important aspect of maintaining good health is good personal hygiene. Personal hygiene is keeping the body clean, and helps prevent the spread of germs. Grooming is caring for fingernails and hair examples of these activities would be styling hair, shaving, trimming and painting fingernails. Maintaining good health also includes the following areas: Nutrition, Leisure/recreation opportunities, sleep, and exercise. As you can see, there are many factors that contribute to feeling and looking good. Feeling and looking good are important to each individual’s emotional and physical wellbeing.
Time management is an important component of your overall productivity in the workplace. Knowing how to manage your time at work can reduce stress, increase output and improve your ability to function effectively. Investing in time management training can help you learn the fundamental aspects of successfully managing your time and boost your ability to get more done each day
The maximum benefit allowed under this programme is Two Hundred Dollars EC$200.00. All recipients of Public Assistance are eligible for this benefit. Persons who are deemed to be in need are also eligible for spectacle assistance. One visit every two years.
Assistance is provided to only fire victims whose houses were not insured. A contribution not exceeding the sum of Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) is given.
All persons who presently receive Public Assistance are eligible for Medical Exemption. Additionally, persons who are unable to pay at the time of the illness and who apply can benefit providing that the Welfare Officer investigates and identifies the need. Doctors visits at only public health facilities.
In 2014 the Government launched the Child Disability Grant (CDG) to support the needs of children with disabilities and their families, and as of July 2020 the Grant is being provided to 313 children. The CDG provides XCD 200 per child per month to a family and aims to contribute to the additional costs of care for the child.
Meet the Staff
Deputy Director
Welfare Unit
I am Kendall Elva a Social Transformation Officer. My work region is Vieux-Fort North and Vieux-Fort South. As a Social Transformation I work collaboratively with communities and other relevant stakeholders to address the developmental challenges confronting persons residing in my work region in a sustainable, meaningful and comprehensive manner.
Kendall Elva
Vieux Fort North and South
As STO it is my responsibility to work with communities, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and local authorities to identify and effectively access resources and opportunities to help alleviate some of the societal issues affecting all sectors of the community.
David Moise
Gros-Islet
I am proud to serve the Dennery North/South Region. With the aforesaid, I facilitate the establishment/development of community groups and provide relevant support services to the same. Further, I promote community development by encouraging residents to participate in processes which ensure self-help and empowerment.
Darnally St Ange
Babonneau
Hi, I am Antonia Rene’-Marius, Social Transformation Officer for Castries South East and the Coordinator for the Community After School Programme (CASP). As a Social Transformation Officer, my job entails engaging and empowering the people of Castries South East Region by employing different methods and strategies to address issues and societal ills which plagues these communities.
Antonia Marius
Castries South East and (CASP) Coordinator
My name is Ivy Remy-St Helen and I am the Social Transformation Officer for the Community of Laborie. This is inclusive of the communities of Banse La Grace and Augier. Being a Social Transformation Officer to me means working assiduously to employ strategies and methods to engage and empower the residents of my community in an effort to transform their lives for the better.
Ivy Gaby St Helen
Laborie
My name is Shalina Mann, Social Transformation Officer for the Castries North and East Regions. As a Social Transformation Officer, I facilitate the establishment of Community Based and Non-Governmental Organizations and provide support to these groups necessary for their effectiveness. I also organize and promote community programmes and projects geared at responding to the needs of the respective communities within my regions. I firmly believe that change happens when individuals are given the support that they require to realize their potential and bring out their strengths in living fulfilling lives.
Shalina Mann
Castries North and Castries East
My name is Ordula Linor Social Transformation Officer for Micoud North & South from. While on this journey my goals are to serve the people of the district and to build linkage between various community groups.
Ordula Linor
Micoud North and South
Hi I am Fredora Justin-Alcindor your Social Transformation Officer for Castries Central and South. My work in serving you is guided by four key principles: Unconditional positive regard- because I believe the beggar is deserving of the same respect as the king. Integrity because I value the consistency of the unseen and the seen. Compassion- because I believe that every task should come from the heart. Humility- I recognize God's grace in all I am and do.
Fredora Justin-Alcindor
Castries Central & South
My name is Shema Glasgow and I am the Social Transformation Officer for Choiseul, the Cultural District and Soufriere, the Tourism Mecca Of St.Lucia. My duties as a Social Transformation Officer (STO) are highly rewarding and humbling in that it demands and allows for community engagement at a grassroots level.
Shema Glasgow
Choiseul
As the newest member of the unit, being a social transformation officer for a little over a month now has opened me up to a world of new experiences. A social transformation officer’s day is never set in stone and this is an inherent feature of the post where one will find that working on the grass roots level will expose the infinite needs of the community.
Jeff Desir
Dennery North and South
English
Haitian Creole