Children’s home revamped with help of community
(CNS): The Bonaventure Boys Home in West Bay, which is run by the CAYS Foundation, reopened this week after a multipurpose revamp, including making it wheelchair-accessible. The Cayman Islands Government donated $100,000 to the project from the Ministry of Social Development’s 2023 budget savings.
The non-profit organisation was then able to generate additional financial and physical assistance from the community and the private sector. Officials said donations of time, money, and supplies were crucial to the revamp.
Social Development Minister André Ebanks, who is acting premier while Julianna O’Connor-Connolly is on annual leave, said the CIG donated funds because of the CAYS board’s new long-term vision to help overcome current challenges and provide a fresh outlook for the future.
“The remodelled multipurpose residential unit is part of the initial phase of this vision for which we felt duty bound to assist and provide a spark for private sector collaboration,” Ebanks said. “I am heartened that this project provides a shining example of what can be achieved when the government and private sector unite to invest and innovate a worthy social development cause.”
At a recent opening ceremony, CAYS General Manager Keith Boyle said the foundation was grateful to the partners who donated time, expertise and materials. “Upgrades to a home are expensive, and ours were extensive, meaning that contributions from Apex Group, Caribbean Partitions, Tyson Co, DAC, Corporate Electric, Eccleston Electric, Elite Marble and Tile, Rotary Clubs, and Iron Shore, among others, have been essential.”
He singled out Michelle Butler from Design Studio, who had been instrumental in the planning, design and furnishing of the home, and Shawn Maxwell of Arch and Godfrey, the project manager.
Officials said the project set a precedent for future collaborations, as CAYS plans to upgrade the rest of its facilities. As well as Bonaventure, the non-profit operates the Frances Bodden Children’s Home and Phoenix House, all of which provide 24-hour residential care to young people under court order due to care and protection needs or offending behaviour.
Anyone interested in contributing to future projects is asked to email Donations@CAYS.org.ky.
For more information about the CAYS Foundation, follow @caysfoundation on Instagram
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Category: Community, Local News
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Expat staff taking swimming lessons yet, after them last poor child tragedy??
Whitewashing issues but poor management means kids lives not positively impacted. Real shame there.
Boys and Girls Homes offer little safety. See the weekly escapes and runaways!!
A tragedy indeed, but be thankful that the facility has also made a positive difference to the lives of hundreds, albeit with “expat staff”.
Billion dollar budget – disgraceful.
Let us thank the Rotary Club of Grand Cayman that had the foresight to build these two homes some 40/50 years ago. Stalwarts of those days included ‘Uncle’ Bill McTaggart, Captain Theo, Captain Ned Miller, David Foster, Sonnyboy Bodden and many other Rotarians dedicated to improving the community. Gone but not forgotten.
Agreed Chris…I was there and well remember the many fundraising efforts to collect enough money to build the facility.
Proud that it is still a going concern, but dismayed that our government does not 100% support this badly needed service.
I wonder where Mike Villani is now. And Cruikshank the cop from Scotland.
It’s pathetic that there’s a need for any outside help. This should be funded 100% by the government.
What’s more disgraceful they just put a ramp.for wheelchair bound people 2024 wow!!!!!
Thank goodness Wayne was there for most of 2023 as Premier, hence why there was “savings” on some items.
From what I can hear now, since 2024 started, it has been a “smash and grab” style Government.
The spending in this year before the election is loose and with no care or concern about saving for a rainy day or if a storm hits.
The campaigning for the 2025 election has begun in CIG. Some mimistries will be broke by mid July.
Great job everyone and really well done Michelle Butler!
The place looks amazing inside and shows a lot of thought and time was put into it.
government could only give 100k but found 1 million for a mini boardwalk on south sound road.
Government relies on the private sector for support of the Pines, Hospice (Jasmine), children’s homes, sports facilities and especially schools!
But is willing to pay 100% cost of supporting any Jamaicans who will vote for them.
Basically you are totally correct. As to sports there are certain favoured recipients of money. Guess what CIFA I one of them. They are insolvent and cannot pay their debts. Yet FIFA is giving them $7m. None of this passes the sniff test.
I do wonder why no one took action as to the misdoings at the Newlands football pitch.
Anyone seen any accounts of this registered charity? All charities need publish their accounts for transparency reasons.
The UDP bunch who supported Webb are beyond the reach of the law, and still hold high office to avoid scrutiny.
Meanwhile sailing, the oldest and most traditional Caymanian sport/career is completely ignored by CIG and relies on private donations to exist.
Don’t forget the repair costs when some dumbass drove a truck over some of it, and crushed it up really nice.
At least 4 times so far.
It would have been much stronger if they even covered it with hydes.
So long as government avoids proper family planning education to our youth, the acceptance of Jamaican breed and dump culture will inundate society with stupid local baby mamas , whose unwanted children will have to be looked after by facilities such as Bonaventure .
Government is not meeting its responsibilities here, and the private sector has to pick up the tab..