Homeless minors relocated from YMCA home, as government fails to provide funds

Jean Paul Mifsud, chairman of YMCA says that the board never approved of the closing down of the children’s home, despite a meeting with government in September that spelled the end of financing for the home. They will continue to strive for finances from elsewhere to ensure the safety of the places of the children.

YMCA currently houses six teenagers, though one was transferred to Appogg earlier today. Mifsud says “These alternative places have no guarantees and are providing an uncertain future for the children.”

YMCA is a key player in the welfare of homeless children as it is the only home with a no-rejection policy. Thus many of the minors housed at the YMCA home, which is specifically adapted for minors between 12 and 16, have come to the YMCA as a last resort. As the children under their care are mostly social cases, placed at the YMCA through care orders, their welfare is the responsibility of the minister for social policy.

They are often the product of abuse and violence leading to behaviours that cause rejection from other homes. Two of these teenagers were imprisoned despite their young age.

Mifsud is also concerned for a number of children that have “slipped through the net” and not been placed in homes. He makes an educated guess of the figure being around 60 children.

Donations may be made on telephone number 50618088 (€4.66) and 50619219 (€11.65) or calling YMCA on 21228035.