Family matters

Bermuda’s re/insurance companies and service businesses put families first, in terms of donations and in industry volunteers giving their time. 

Family structures are changing and coming under strain all over the world, and this is as true in Bermuda as it anywhere else. 

Research shows that early interventions can make all the difference between a child who goes on to a successful life and one who will face challenges as they grow up. 

Fortunately, Bermuda has many non-profits dedicated to helping at-risk families and children and the re/insurance industry has been an invaluable ally to these organisations. 

As with the other charitable efforts, these initiatives often prove to be valuable to the donors as well. They help to show that the companies are good corporate citizens and help to strengthen the community’s social fabric, which is vital for the Island’s stability. 

As important, they help to show the community that the businesses are in Bermuda to be full members of the community. 

Investors and employees also want to see that companies have a social purpose. Bermuda needs this help. While it remains one of the wealthiest places on earth on a per capita basis, many residents struggle with the high cost of living, which has been exacerbated by the surge in inflation and especially in the cost of food. 

Three charitable initiatives are described below.

The Transformational Living Centre 

The Transformational Living Centre (TLC) for Families is a purpose-built housing shelter and facility that seeks to address the growing problem of homelessness among families with children in Bermuda and therefore reduces the risk of children being taken into care.

Its vision is to enable the transformation of women and their children to move beyond surviving to thriving.

Over the next five years, the TLC for Families aims to dramatically transform the trajectory of 45 homeless women and as many as 135 children. The home can house nine families at a time and can include as many as 27 children over a 12-month period. 

Eleven single mothers, most displaced from stable housing for three to five years, took up residence at the TLC between February 2022 and March 2023. By March, adjustments were in progress to accommodate one additional family. 

“Our ultimate goal is to prepare our families for a stable and fulfilling life after the TLC.” Elaine Butterfield, TLC for Families

According to executive director Elaine Butterfield: “The magnitude of the need is significant. 

“We are at full capacity and maintain a growing waiting list. This is one of our main challenges, stretching us to be creative. Accommodating families at the TLC expands beyond the need to provide comfortable beds and nutritious food. 

“We intentionally incorporate personalised empowerment programmes, dedicated case management, regular counselling, and more. All this comes as we reconnect them with housing, employment, and the life skills they must master to be independent and to thrive. Our ultimate goal is to prepare our families for a stable and fulfilling life after the TLC,” she said.

Among the companies that have assisted TLC are Ariel Re and its employees, who donated $16,000 to the TLC in 2022. Ariel Re chief executive Ryan Mather said: “Being a responsible corporate citizen is one of our core values. We are committed to making a meaningful contribution to the communities in which we operate and where our employees live and work.

“I am extremely proud of our employees, who recognise the important role non-profits play in helping our community, and generously stepped up to help support so many families across Bermuda. 

“Our goal is to make many more contributions to help Bermuda families through not only monetary donations, but also volunteering our time in the community. We are committed to supporting the organisations that work tirelessly to help people in need.”

Local insurer Freisenbruch-Meyer has also been a major supporter of TLC, beginning in 2021. Since then it has donated resources and its staff volunteered their time to assist with interior painting, cleaning, landscaping, and the cultivation of the central courtyard and surrounding gardens of the TLC. In 2022, the local insurance firm focused its monthly Denim Days to support the existing TLC projects including a vegetable garden, sandbox with toys for children, and courtyard renovations as part of its annual commitment to helping the homeless.

Assistant vice president of claims and avid gardener Julian Sykes, active volunteer, and assistant vice president of claims at Freisenbruch-Meyer, took up the mantle of helping the TLC team to create a vegetable garden and children’s sandbox. 

He said: “It has been extremely rewarding and I am so pleased to provide support to the resident families.”

Brit Insurance has aided TLC with volunteers helping to decorate and fit out housing as well as collect essential items to settle families into their new homes.

They did included installing closets, painting, cleaning the floors, organising clothes and accessories.

To find out more visit: www.tlc.bm 

The Family Centre 

The Family Centre is an accredited non-profit dedicated to improving families’ lives in Bermuda. It provides innovative, free-of-charge mental health counselling services for children, teens, and their families, community outreach programmes, and advocacy initiatives. The Family Centre is committed to ensuring access to support without barriers. Its holistic, therapeutic approach to care fosters healing, wellness, and empowerment.

Among its programmes are: Youth Leadership Academy, Beyond Rugby Bermuda and Beyond Yoga Bermuda. Additionally, the Family Centre has been at the forefront and an active participant in advocacy initiatives that promote positive parenting and protection of children and their wellbeing. Family Centre is the only not-for-profit social, behavioural and mental health organisation for children in Bermuda that is not hospital or government-based.

Among the companies supporting the Family Centre was the Canopius Group, which used its Global Community Day to help to restore the kitchen garden at the Family Centre’s headquarters.

Accounting firm PwC is another supporter of the Family Centre. It has established a 10-year $250,000 funding and volunteering commitment to the organisation. 

This includes volunteers from PwC providing academic support to seven students in the 2022/23 school year. 

A spokesperson said: “The accounting professionals have been volunteering their time and expertise to provide the students with support in their 4-core subject areas, in weekly one-to-one sessions during the school year. The programme is designed to provide academic support to students who need extra help by pairing them with experienced and knowledgeable volunteers.”

Sandy DeSilva said: “PwC’s long-standing support of Family Centre has significantly impacted our ability to sustainably deliver our therapeutic programmes and services to children, youth and their families. In particular, the encouragement, positive presence, and academic support provided by PwC volunteers helps youth feel valued and want to strive to meet their life goals.” 

“We are grateful to our team of volunteers for their dedication in donating their time and skills to make a positive impact on the lives of the students,” said Scott Watson-Brown, partner of PwC Bermuda.

“PwC is proud to be a long-term supporter of Family Centre in its mission to create a healthier Bermuda for our children, by providing vital intervention and counselling services. By working together, we can create meaningful change and improve lives.”

Athene Life Re also donates to the Family Centre. 

To find out more visit: tfc.bm 

“PwC is proud to be a long-term supporter of Family Centre in its mission to create a healthier Bermuda for our children.”Scott Watson-Brown, PwC Bermuda

Coalition for the Protection of Children 

The Coalition for the Protection of Children (CPC) was established more than 30 years ago as a non-governmental organisation to advocate on behalf of children and their families. 

The CPC later expanded into direct service provision to meet the growing needs of Bermudian children and their families. Over the years, the CPC’s services have included intervention, therapeutic treatment, a child abuse hotline, food assistance and a free breakfast programme.

CPC operates a walk-in crisis intervention centre, with life-coaching and a triage service. It offers grocery support for struggling families through its onsite storehouse, as well as an educational fund for caregivers who are looking to improve their skills. It facilitates two school-based programmes: Speak up Be Safe, a child abuse prevention programme, and the Breakfast Programme.

Among the re/insurers which have supported the CPC are Aeolus Capital Management, Arch Re, Athene Life Re, AXA XL Services, BF&M, BMC Insurance, Convex, Enstar, Hannover Re, the Lancashire Foundation, Marsh, Everen Management Services, RenaissanceRe and Validus. 

To find out more visit: www.coalition.bm 

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