The H.O.P.E. Centre Ltd., a community centre in East End, Anguilla was graced with the presence of Her Excellency The Governor Christina Scott on Friday 16th Friday 2013.
Pastor Gary Hodge, Chairman of the Board, welcomed the Governor and the Minister of Education, Hon. Mr. Jerome Roberts, to the Centre. Mr. Hodge gave the Governor a brief background as to how the concept of the Centre, being a privately funded community centre, was conceived. He further explained the purpose and intent of the Centre and highlighted all of the Centre’s accomplishments – since its opening on 19th December 2011 – including the Math and Reading Programmes and the computer homework classes to commence in the upcoming school term.
Mr. Hodge identified the pictures of prominent persons from the East End community that are displayed in the H.O.P.E. Centre (including past and present political representatives, educators and Commissioners of Police). Ms. Ami Hunte, a Board Member, gave some insight as to her role as a tutor for the Reading Programme which is currently geared towards assisting the primary school children.
Mrs. Cora Richardson Hodge updated Governor Scott on the positive working relationship between Ms. Hyacinth Augustine in the Department of Youth and Culture and the Directors of the Board and the Centre Manager, Ms. Josette Duncan. (Mrs. Richardson Hodge, although the moving force behind turning the dream of a community centre in East End into reality, is not a member of the Board.)
The Governor was presented with a H.O.P.E. Centre brochure which outlined the mission and vision of the Centre as well as the H.O.P.E. Strategic Plan.
H.O.P.E. Centre is also the umbrella organization for the AXA Cares Food Bank which currently assists approximately ninety-five (95) families across the island of Anguilla.
– Contributed