Government 'buys' care services for victims of domestic abuse, homeless persons

The government signed three public-social partnerships this afternoon, which will provide shelter for homeless persons, care and support to victims of domestic abuse, and a social worker to persons with disabilities. 

On her last day as Social Solidarity minister before resigning to take the presidency, Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca underlined the importance of having such partnerships in the social sector. 

"It's a mutual agreement, where the government commits itself to financially support an NGO and the latter provides services according to our society's needs" Coleiro Preca said. 

The beneficiaries who entered the three separate agreements are Dar Emmaus, YMCA and Nazareth Foundation. 

The foundation of Dar Emmaus will ensure that for the first time, care, support and shelter are provided in Gozo for victims of domestic abuse. It started functioning a few months ago. 

"We wanted to avoid the shameful situation whereby victims of domestic abuse are left in the streets with no shelter. It was a need that had to be met within Gozitan society," founder of Dar Emmaus Mgr Vella Gauci said.

Addressing the media, Minister for Gozo Anton Refalo thanked Coleiro Preca's ministry and said that without her efforts, this funding would not have been possible. 

"If it wasnt for Coleiro Preca, this agreement would not have materialised. It is a dream come true for us who worked in this direction," Refalo said. 

Dar Emmaus will host fourteen victims and their children and will initially employ around 12 persons. 

The second agreement was signed with established NGO, the YMCA, with the intent to continue providing shelter for homeless persons and minors. 

"With this agreement the government is committed to buy 25 care-plans for the homeless. In the past, the YMCA even had to pay for hotel rooms in order to accomodate those who request their assistance," Coleiro Preca said prior to the signing of the agreement. 

YMCA chairman Jean Paul Mifsud welcomed the fact that the government was acknowledging that homelessness was a grim reality that needed to be addressed, instead of a taboo that no one wanted to talk about. He announced that during the past year alone, YMCA provided around 11,700 bed nights to almost 350 referrals. 

"Unfortunately we are noticing an ever increasing trend, year after year. This is why YMCA is moving to a new premises in Msida, that would accomodate around 30 beds, eight more than the actual capacity," Mifsud said. 

The third agreement was signed with Nazareth foundation, with the intent to provide the services of a social worker. Founded in 1995 by Dun Ang Seychell, it currently has three houses with around 30 residents with different disabilities.