At this the ten year milestone of Zenaida Haven – Juvenile Residential Center, there is no better time to reflect on its mission and purpose while considering the many lives that have been impacted. While the story of Zenaida Haven is one that is also tinged with disappointments and challenges, the tremendous successes cannot be overshadowed. Where there was no option for offending young men before there is now, and we should all be proud of this accomplishment.
With a week of activities planned from May 12th – 18th, the Chief Probation Officer, staff and I are proud to be celebrating this anniversary under the theme, “Limitations live only in our minds; the possibilities are endless!” We feel that this theme not only speaks to the young men who come to our attention via the Court system, but also to how we have approached residential care in this small island context.
The Juvenile Residential Centre caters to young boys between the ages of twelve (12) and seventeen (17) at the time of the offence. Over the past ten (10) years, staff of Zenaida Haven continue to demonstrate commitment in pursuit of high-quality residential care and excellence in work requirements. This commitment has resulted in Zenaida Haven being recognized both regionally and internationally, by the OECS Commission and UNICEF, as a Best Practice Model in the region due to its non-institutional approach to residential care and rehabilitation. This is an accolade that we are extremely proud of and strive to continue to live up to.
Zenaida Haven has had many success stories and has positive feedback from many residents who would have passed through the Centre. Following is a testimonial of a former resident who, while at Zenaida Haven, was given the opportunity to re-enter secondary school after being suspended. This resident who preferred to be identified by the initials, JH, summed up his experience of Zenaida Haven below:
“Comply then complain,” this is something that rings in my head up to this day. Three small words that can change anyone’s life once you live by them. On January 23rd, 2013 I was sentenced to twenty-four (24) months in the Juvenile Residential Centre- Zenaida Haven. I was given the chance to get back in school and was able to sit my Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) Exams and lastly graduated successfully.
Like every resident that was sent there, my first few days were really about getting to trust those around me. After gaining that trust and confidence in the staff and my peers, I started to open up and feel at ease where I could express myself without feeling intimidated. During the time I spent at the Centre we were all given chances to redeem ourselves and change the paths we were heading. As a past resident, I still use some of the skills that I learnt at my weekly counseling sessions and Key Worker one to one’s today.
How could a place that does so much good, sound so bad? I often look back at the holiday trips that we took and the early morning basketball sessions. Even though I hated waking up at four’ o clock, once the game was on, trust me it was on. At the Centre, I must say I met some of the most caring, loving, firm but yet so down to earth staff. Decision making was one of my weaknesses that the staff at both the Probation office and Zenaida Haven helped me to make wiser decisions and make better daily choices. During my stay I was able to represent Anguilla by playing for the National Football Team only by the help of the staff that made sure I was on time for every practice and received enough rest to go through the next day.
After I left the Centre I paid visits to the staff and tried to maintain a good relationship and just to make sure everyone was ok. Today I currently live in the United Kingdom undergoing courses to become a Professional Personal Trainer and soon to participate in fund raising boxing for charity, but the way I am now is only the outcome of Zenaida Haven. JH
What was said above by JH and the impact on the lives of the young men and their families are among the reasons we continue to be dedicated to this areas of work.
MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of the Juvenile Residential Centre is to provide a year-round residential safe therapeutic treatment programme for chronic and persistent juvenile offenders. The programme is designed to rehabilitate juvenile offenders ages twelve (12) through seventeen (17) [at the time of the offense], through a range of targeted interventions with the aim of reducing offending anti-social behaviour to promote positive reintegration.
Ms. Yoshida Gumbs
Supervisor – Juvenile Residential Centre, Zenaida Haven
