The following services are organized by Families in Action:
- A drop-in counselling service where personal problems can be solved in
a caring, informal yet confidential and professional environment.
- Short-term assessment and referral center to professionals,
organizations and agencies throughout Trinidad and Tobago.
- Group support for recovering addicts and families which bring to the
fore issues with which the victims (both addicts and families) have to
grapple and which will ultimately empower them to take responsibility for
their lives.
- Support group for development of women in an effort to enahnce their
self-esteem and maturity.
- Summer camp for youth, e.g. Choice International Youth Camp.
- A twenty-four hour, seven days a week Hotline for persons in acute
distress.
- Assignment of second and final year students who attend the
Certificate in Social Work programat the School of Continuing Studies at
the University of West Indies for practical exposure in counselling
techniques and services as a compulsory part of their final practicum.
- Prison/Youth Training Center Outreach Support and Counselling which is a rehabilitation effort. Here attempts are made to put meaning to life for many inmates and therefore, has significantly helped them in making a smoother transition back to society.
Families in Action also supports a program called EXCEL which seeks to provide an interactive setting for the reduction of drug abuse while promoting healthy lifestyles. The geographical location of Trinidad and Tobago has made these islands a transshipment point for a large percentage of South American cocaine. In fact, Colombian traffickers have targeted the Caribbean as a viable route in their trafficking network. By virtue of the islands' link between the cocaine producers in the south and the vast cocaine markets in the north, a thriving cocaine industry has been established and will continue to grow if barriers are not implemented to reduce and finally decimate the spread of cocaine use among nationals of Trinidad and Tobago.
EXCEL seeks to promote knowledge about the ill effects of drug abuse an at the same time, promote healthy drug-free lifestyles in schools and communities affected by the scourge of drug abuse.
To address this problem effectively, EXCEL volunteers, together with the Community Police and Police Youth Groups, intervnene at the school and community level. All levels of the education system, from pre-school to secondary, are targeted. In addition, EXCEL solicits the input of teachers, parents, religious organizations and other established leasdership in each community.
Other non-governmental organizations in Trinidad and Tobago benefit from the services provided by Families in Action. They include the following:
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How You Can Help
The mandate by the community to provide such a cadre of service places
this organization in a serious dilemma, since out commitment to serve must
still be pursued, using all the professional and para-professional support
at out disposal, while not being able to collect fees for services
provided.
Trinidadian expatriates have assisted in the past, mainly by sending
updated literature on current topics with which we have attempted to
improve our methods of managein our clientele.
We are in desperate need of financial assistance to sustain our programs
which concern our Youth Outreach, particularly those youngsters who are
incarcerated. We would also be grateful for books/games which could be
distributed to them. We would also appreciate boos/videos on such topics
as:
The majority of clients, including substance abusers, street children,
battered women, etc., who seek the assistance of Families in Action are
unable to look after themselves and as a consequence, unable to make any
financial contribution for the services rendered. All costs incurred and
associated with the services provided are borne by Families in Action.
Families in Action
82 Maraval Road
Port of Spain
Trinidad, West Indies
Telephone: 868-628-2333/868-622-6952
Fax: 868-622-5365
The information provided on this page was generously sent
to me by Mrs. Ivis Gibson, Managing Director of Families
in Action.
