Focus Appeals For Christmas Generosity
Focus Counselling Service is encouraging generous Bermuda residents to remember the organisation this Christmas as the charity struggles to continue its mission helping those most in need of addiction treatment.
Focus is a Hamilton charitable organisation providing a support system for those who suffering from the disease of addiction. Its open door policy allows anyone who has a desire for help with their addiction to come to its offices for assistance without waiting for an appointment.
“We focus on people who have ‘fallen through the cracks’ of society,” said a spokesman. “While not all of them suffer from substance abuse, it is estimated that at least 75 percent have problems associated with alcohol/drug abuse. Most express a desire for direction in their lives but are reluctant to seek help from formalised helping agencies.
“The economic situation has led to withdrawal of some of our funding, and as a result we are experiencing a shortfall in our budget. Focus provides substance abuse intervention for some of Bermuda’s most needy. We serve persons who have no work, no insurance, and no place to live. If it were not for Focus many of these persons would spend the day on the streets — feeding a drug habit — any way that they could.
“We are asking the community for financial support so that we can continue to do the work of Focus. There will be a series of fundraising events that will be held over the next 12 months. Please help us where you can.”
Focus takes the person off the streets, motivates them to enter a substance abuse treatment programme and prepares them for a new life.
“This is a big challenge as many of the people whom Focus serves have been cut-off from their families for a very long time because of addiction,” said the spokesman. “hey are likely to be homeless and jobless. Once they have completed a treatment programme, persons are eligible for the Supportive Residency programe.
“Through Supportive Residency persons are provided with housing and life skills education so that they are ready to become healthy and productive citizens.”
Focus recently added LOM Securities Bermuda Ltd.’s Mark Jennings as a volunteer to provide both financial advice and to continue the public service work he first embarked on with the Knights of Columbus in the US and the Pembroke Rotary Club in Bermuda.
“We are also grateful for LOM’s support of Focus Counselling Services,” said the organisation’s spokesman.
Focus was created in 1993 by two addiction counsellors who identified a gap in the “helping services” system.
The programme’s education training efforts commenced in August of 1993 at the Salvation Army’s Shelter located on North Street in Hamilton. The doors to its current address at 35 Union Street were opened in 1995.
For information on how to donate to Focus Counselling Services please call Sandy Butterfield at 532-1292, or email sbutterfield@focus.bm
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