Top tier government officials and members of the media gathered at the Sunrise Adult Learning Centre to celebrate 25 years of the programme’s existence, as well as to welcome its new director, Shari Smith.
Before touring the facility Tuesday and meeting the clients enlisted in the programme, officials offered a few words.
“This is an important service to the community, which we can expand upon so that the clients can have something to do during the day. We are hopeful in this regard despite budget challenges,” Premier McKeeva Bush said.
The premier also highlighted the efforts of those who were instrumental in establishing the programme, which started in 1986.
“I want to publicly acknowledge the efforts of people like Alitha Powery, Maj Ebanks, Pam Burke, Victor Ebanks, Crestwell Powery and Kay Powery, as well as Rev. Jonas Shepard and Mr. Benson Ebanks, who was the Minister of Health, Education and Social Services at the time,” Mr. Bush said.
The Sunrise Adult Training Centre was formed mainly because students enrolled in the Light House School were growing too old.
When the centre started, there were only nine “trainees’ and four staff. It has developed steadily since then, and now provides roughly 58 “clients” – as they are now called, with care and developmental stimulation throughout the week.
The government supports much of what is needed to keep the clients and the facility going, but a lot of the help is also community based.
“When we see them out working and not locked away, we know there is progress being made and it is a testament to the effectiveness of the programme,” said Education Minister Rolston Anglin.
During the tour of the facility, which was led by newly appointed Director of Sunrise Adult Learning Centre Shari Smith, officials got a chance to see the team at Sunrise working with clients, as well as to gain a first-hand appreciation for some of what is required to assist in their development.
Governor Duncan Taylor told those on hand visiting the facility and celebrating with them on their 25 year anniversary was particularly meaningful to him.
“I have had personal insight into the matter and a real perspective on the work being done,” said Mr. Taylor, with regard to the challenges and rewards of caring for someone who may be challenged.
In addition to physiotherapy, speech therapy, as well as motor skills development and training, the centre has recently introduced music therapy in its arsenal of therapeutic options.
.jpg)
Related Videos
