US exchange programme leads to new initiatives in Bermuda

A free technology centre for the underprivileged, more training for frontline community workers and a new fatherhood initiative are among the measures which will be introduced to Bermuda following a recent exchange visit to the United States.

Five Bermudians, including officers from the Ministry of Social Rehabilitation and Carlton Simmons, President of Youth on the Move, spent 10 days visiting 14 child and family programmes as part of the Voluntary Visitor (VolVis) Programme, run by the United States Consulate.

VolVis, which is now in its third, enables Bermudians to visit the US to meet and learn from their professional counterparts.

Wayne Carey, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Social Rehabilitation, who was part of the delegation, said: “I think I speak for all of this year’s voluntary visitor participants when I say that it has been a truly enlightening and rewarding experience for all of us.”

The team visited a wide range of model programmes, including Harlem Children’s Zome and the Latin American Youth Center.

Minister of Social Rehabilitation Dale Butler said: “The chance to see firsthand the results and challenges of social programming in different geographic areas and socio-cultural contexts, is indeed a rewarding experience which can only enhance our efforts to better serve the needs of our children and strengthen our families.”

Courtesy of Bermuda Network News reporter Christen Pears