THE WESTMORELAND Parish Council has joined forces with a number of charitable groups to open a day facility for street people in the parish.
The facility, which was refurbished by the Parish Council at a cost of $2 million, opened its doors in December. It provides day shelter, meals, bath, changes of clothes and medical attention for over 30 street persons.
It is being operated by the Westmoreland Association of Street People (WASP), which is also responsible for paying the salaries of the six staff members, who are supervised by Janet Carrol, Matron of the Westmoreland Infirmary.
Churches across Savanna-la-Mar, play their part by providing lunches for the street people on weekdays, while the Parish Council sees to their morning and evening meals as well as all meals on weekends.
According to Mayor of Savanna-la-Mar and Chairman of the Westmoreland Parish Council, Ralph Anglin, the establishment of a home for street people was "a dream come true" for the Council. He informed that the council has refurbished the building that houses the facility at a cost of $2 million.
"For sometime now, we in Savanna-la-Mar have thought of ways in which we could do something for the indigent and destitute by taking them off the streets. I am happy that this home has now become a reality and that those less fortunate can receive the necessary care as human beings".
Mayor Anglin noted that while the home was not fully equipped for overnight care, plans were well underway for this to be a possibility within a few months.
He expressed satisfaction with the operations of the home and urged the public to offer their support.
