Background

Credo Aylward House is an extension of Credo Centre for Socially Displaced Children, and it is a project of Credo Foundation for Justice by the Holy Faith Sisters. The facility provides temporary accommodation for youth who have settled down and have returned to the education system, but who cannot reintegrate with their families at this time.

CREDO Aylward House

Scope & Purpose

Aylward House caters for a maximum of eight residents who embark on an Independent Living Skills Programme of not more than two years, designed to enable them to either reintegrate with their families or to pursue independent living.

Three basic life acquiring principles will form the focal point of the facility’s operations:-

• Self discipline
• Maturity
• Responsibility

Further training and acquisition of everyday living skills is emphasised. Additionally, the Independent Living Pro-gramme co-exists with the society’s economic, social and cultural disposition.

Programme Objectives

• To offer residential accommodation
• To facilitate training and employment of residents
• To empower the family and to encourage family reintegration, where possible
• To provide life skills for independent living

Family Support System

This service is for the families of those children already on the street as well as for families of those at risk.

Programme of Activities

The thrust of the facility is to help the residents make the transition from institutional care to coping with life in the wider society. To this end, its programmes are geared towards equipping the residents with certain life skills:

• Job readiness
• Occupational / job training
• Food preparation
• Budgeting and financial management
• Leadership training
• Self esteem and anger management
• Sexuality
• Substance abuse
• Consumer education
• Sports
• Communication
• Goal setting and time management
• Spirituality
• Peer pressure and peer support
• Character building

Community

Residents interact and liaise with the community and with other like-minded organisations. This helps foster love for all people and instills the support mechanism so vital to young, impressionable minds. Members of the community are invited to become involved and to offer assistance.

Family Development

Credo Aylward House builds upon the parenting/family programme of Credo Center. This is a vital part of our efforts at reintegration. Involvement of parents and family members in their child’s development is fundamental to Credo’s operation.

When/where can you find us

Aylward House Transitional Living Facility is located at 63 Hermitage Road, Gonzales.
Telephone: (868) 625-6385

Conclusion

Aylward House seeks to fulfil its role as a catalyst in Transitional Housing and to produce young men worthy of taking their place as disciplined, employable citizens. It is to be expected that with a dynamic programme of activities and independent living skills, the sometimes unfortunate living situations confronting our young people will be lessened.