Raleigh Bermuda Relocates To New Facility
Raleigh Bermuda has relocated to a new facility at 61 Verdmont Road, noting that “the new space will enable Raleigh to have more capacity to run their youth programmes as well as commence new projects such as a vegetable garden and a men’s sanctuary space.”
A spokesperson said, “Since the pandemic, the charity has struggled with operational costs due to increase in rent during and after the pandemic. The rising costs directly impacted on their ability to deliver services and programming at its full capacity.”
Dany de Rodriguez, Executive Director of Raleigh Bermuda says, “During the pandemic, we didn’t get a waiver in our operational costs, instead our rent was tripled, and many of our corporate funding was cut due to the perceived notion that we were not essential workers, when the reality was, our workload increased due to the needs of young people requiring more supporting services.
“During the pandemic, Raleigh Bermuda stepped up to the front line to directly tackle violence in our community by addressing gang violence, drugs, alcohol, crime, and toxic behaviours.
“It was gratifying that in August 2021, Her Excellency the Governor Mrs. Rena Lalgie recognized and appreciated Raleigh Bermuda’s important work in the community.
“However, increasing costs were impacting us greatly, but thankfully our President, Madam Gita Blakeney Saltus, JP, came to our rescue with an available and affordable space at Pathways Bermuda.”
Gita Blakeney Saltus, Executive Director of Pathways Bermuda says, “We are truly delighted that the Pathways Bermuda building, which has served as an outpatient addiction treatment center since 2007, has fully emerged as a healing space that now also houses Raleigh Bermuda, and Gina Spence Productions.
“We feel that this holistic relationship is aligned with our core values and enables us all to address some of the critical needs of our young people and their families, in an environment that is conducive to fulfilling our respective missions.”
The spokesperson said, “The new space will enable Raleigh to have more capacity to run their youth programmes as well as commence new projects such as a vegetable garden and a men’s sanctuary space.
“Moving into the new space also allowed Raleigh to keep “Malcolm’s Room”, in honor of their alumni the late Malcolm K. Outerbridge Jr. The room continues to serve as a safe haven for youth in the community escaping abuse and toxic environments.
“Raleigh Bermuda’s youth programmes serves over 400+ young people between the ages of 14 – 35 years old, which includes the Brave: Anti-Violence Programme for teenagers 14-17 years old and their Venturer’s Scholarship Programme for young adults aged 17-24 years old which provides a once in a lifetime opportunity for our young Bermudians to travel on overseas expeditions to South Africa and Costa Rica.
“At Raleigh Bermuda, they continuously work with underserved youth to help them manage and overcome the ‘day-to-day’ risks such as gangs, depression, drugs, abuse, anger management and criminal activities. Raleigh Bermuda is the only organization on island that hosts an “Anti-Violence / Anti-Gang” Campaign in the community and is a court advocate for youth who need support in court services. Raleigh Bermuda also works with the Bermuda Police Services, Court & Probation Services, Child & Family Services and Private/School Counselors.
“If you would like to refer a child between the ages of 14-17 years old for our Brave Programme, please contact info@raleigh.bm or call 333-5678. For more information, please visit www.raleigh.bm.”
Bermuda must learn from this example.