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STOP PRESS:
Due to unfortunate funding circumstances the Jeseus Cares Family Cottage has had to move to Trinidad to find more accommodation premises. The information below will be updated as soon as everyone at the home is settled.
Jesus Cares Family Cottage is the name given to the home that caters for the accommodation and needs of displaced, abandoned and abused children, from birth to eighteen years. The name inspires warmth, security, love and kinship - an integral part of the organisation which promotes the ideal that children have the right to equality, regardless of race, colour, religion, sex or nationality.
The Jesus Cares Home was the brainchild of Leris Kerr Trim who spent several days in hospital with her daughter after an arson attack on her house. Leris found that there were many children who had suffered domestic violence, drug abuse, physical abuse and incest, but who didn’t have a home, or any after care once leaving hospital – so she set about creating one.
The Jesus Cares Home believes that it is in the best interest of every business executive to think critically about their impact on the next generation. Leris strongly believes that ‘If we do not take care of our children today we will all pay the price tomorrow in both terror and taxes. Clearly, the future of our country lies in the success of our children and the value that we as adults pay to them. No one person can do this. Jesus Cares needs your help…’ |
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Ways to Donate
Bank....Scotia Bank of Trinidad and Tobago Limited
Branch Number # 21105
Name of Account: Jesus Cares Family Cottage
Account Number # 38298
To make a donation or get involved with The Jesus Cares Family Cottage please send your donations to the above, or email Leris. |
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History
The home exists due to a dramatic series of events that took place in January 2000. The founder of Jesus Cares, Leris Kerr Trim was forced out of her house after her it was burgled then destroyed by a fire. She spent several days in the paediatric ward of the Scarborough Regional Hospital with her baby daughter, and it was then that she realised that there were children who actually lived in the ward who clearly did not get the nurturing that a family unit can foster. As most of the space at her building was unoccupied, the founder had the idea to establish the Jesus Cares Family Cottage and provide children in similar situations with a home of their own.
On the 25th April, 2001, the building which became the charity’s first home was maliciously set on fire. Beds, chairs and most of the children’s clothing were destroyed. Over the next four months the children were housed at two guest houses, the first being at Plymouth for two days and the second at Hampden Inn (free of charge) at Lowlands.
In August 2001, the home finally relocated to Rise Land Crown Trace, Tobago. Things were starting to look up! In February 2003, the Organization became incorporated, a Non-Profit Organization, and in May 2003, the Tobago House of Assembly officially started to support the home in Tobago, by means of financial contribution - $12,000.00 a month. This brought the home to its third year anniversary of service to children and their parents in Tobago in July 2003.
On November 27th 2003, a meeting was held between Leris Kerr Trim and various members of the New Testament Church of God at the Head Quarters in Barataria. The purpose of this meeting was to bring the Jesus Cares Home under the Umbrella of the New Testament Church. This decision was made due to the many challenges that the Home encounters and the support offered by the Church. The home has evolved through time and is now governed independently by a board. |
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Objectives
Motto – ‘Love and Service’
Mission Statement – ‘To provide for the physical, spiritual and psychological needs of our children and to facilitate the optimisation of the inherent potential children have through love, understanding and a commitment to education.’
The Jesus Cares Home has recognized the breakdown in the society where children are the victims. The children are living at the Family Cottage mainly as a result of:
(1) Domestic Violence
(2) Drug Abuse
(3) Physical Abuse
(4) Incest
Jesus Cares Family Cottage aims:
To give these children hope by providing a home that is safe and has the warmth of family togetherness.
To ensure that these children posses their rights as individuals - the right to life, education, and equality, love, understanding, and care, protection from cruelty, neglect and exploitation, healthy mental and physical development and sufficient food, housing and medical care to be respectable citizens who would contribute positively to society.
To serve as a family unit for the psychological stability of these charges and to foster community spirit in recognizing the needs for these and other socially displaced in the community.
Long Term goals:
. The acquisition of parcel land to erect their own building
. To raise capital to support and better equip these children for the future. |
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Achievements
Successful fundraising programmes include concerts, cook outs, lunches, brunches, barbeques, tea parties, fashion shows and radio programs. These events are held quarterly.
In the past years since the Home started, the community and other organizations have recognized its efforts and have presented Jesus Cares with different types of awards. In October 2003, Jesus Cares received an Award for an outstanding contribution to the community from the Tobago Regional Chapter of the Cooperative Credit Union League of Trinidad and Tobago Limited. A total of Five Awards were awarded to the Home from the period 2001 to 2003 for Quality Community Service. |
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Needs
The organization has not yet become self sufficient so most of the work done in the home is volunteered, even the manager/house mother & founder get involved. The General Public and other charitable groups support Jesus Cares and they have helped to accomplish some of the goals set for the children.
The Tobago House of Assembly has been partly supporting the Home by means of a EC$12000.00 a month donation since May 2003. This is not enough however; these children need a more higher form of income each month to ensure that there would be no major lack in their lives - this covers utilities, food, school fees, extra lessons, medication etc.
These needs must be met each month. |
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Contact Us
Director//Founder - Leris Kerr Trim
Address: Jesus Cares Family Cottage - Children’s Rescue Programme.
Rise Land Trace, Carnbee, Tobago.
Phone/Fax: +1 868 787 0311, +1 868 721 6287, +1 868 334 8208, +1 868 334 8356.
Email: Familycottage@hotmail.com, jesuscaresfamilycottage@yahoo.co.uk |
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