THE RICHARD ARCH CHILDREN'S CENTRE

A major renovation and refurbishment programme was undertaken in 2003, following the completion of the new foster home. A second storey was added to the existing building which was then renamed the Richard Arch Children's Centre. This now houses the Administrative Offices of the NCVO, Miss Nadine's Pre-School and the Jack & Jill Nursery.

THE JACK AND JILL NURSERY AND EARLY LEARNING CENTRE

This facility caters for infants from birth to two years and can care for 16 babies. It is under the direction of a Nursery Supervisor and three care- givers.

Again, the aim is to provide quality care at a manageable fee and the weekly charge for day care is CI$85.00. Operational hours are the same as "Miss Nadine's". Parents of very young babies are expected to provide formula, diapers, and wipes. Parents are encouraged to telephone or visit in person to check on their little ones and also to breast-feed their child.

Early learning activities are included in the programme which include colours, numbers, identifying body parts, shapes, singing, story telling, animals, social skills etc. Infants progress easily from Nursery to Pre-school stage as they are already familiar with all the staff.

The cost of running this programme for the 2008-9 financial year is projected to be in the region of CI $110,000, therefore a considerable amount of donations are needed to fund the nursery.

Contact Tammy Barnes, Supervisor, 949-5794/945-1078

 “   MISS NADINE’S” PRE-SCHOOL                              

The NCVO's belief is that all children should have the opportunity to participate in Pre-school and its guiding principle is "Dedicated to Supporting Parents in the Care, Guidance, and Education of Today's Child".

The School is headed by a Principal, who is a trained in early childhood education, and she is supported by four other staff members who have all received training in early education, two teacher's aides, and two domestic/care assistants. "Miss Nadine's" is registered and approved by the Education Department.

The School operates from 7 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. Monday to Friday and can accept up to seventy three students from 2-5 years of age.

                                                                                         
Fees are kept at a manageable level to support working parents and one-parent families at a cost of CI$85.00 per week and this includes provision of breakfast, cooked lunch, and afternoon snack.

As a developmentally appropriate Pre-School, we believe that most of a child's learning is done

through play. Therefore, all of our classrooms are learning centre based.

Each classroom has an Art, Maths & Science, Dramatic Play (home living), Books & Puzzles and Cars & Blocks Centre. School days consist of two lesson times, a daily art project, two playground times and three free play times (in centres).

A comprehensive curriculum, based on the "Rigby's Pebble Soup" Curriculum and approved by the Early Childhood Education Department is provided. This offers a care and education programme consisting of gross motor skills, fine motor skills, cognitive and language skills, social, emotional and spiritual development and self-help skills.

The NCVO expanded the school in September 2007 by adding two classrooms and five teachers/teacher's assistants, thus expanding the service to more children and ensuring the school's continued compliance with the Early Childhood Education regulations.

The Pre-school is projected to cost around CI $370,000 for the 2008-9 financial year, just over half of this comes from school fees therefore a large amount of donations are necessary in order to continue to run this prgramme.

Contact Heather Lopez, Principal, 945-1078

THE NADINE ANDREAS RESIDENTIAL FOSTER HOME

The NCVO's aim is to create a "family type" home and provide the essential ingredients that offer the children as normal a life as possible. A new home with improved facilities for the children was completed and opened by HRH the Earl of Wessex in May 2003.

This facility can house up to ten children from birth to sixteen years of age in residential care.The home currently cares for nine children from four to fifteen years old who reside full time at the home. Emergency short term placements of children are also accomodated when needed. Care Manager John Alban is responsible for the administration and management of the home. He is supported by a married couple Mr. & Mrs. Blake, who act as foster parents and live in the home along with another staff member, in addidtion there is a full-time assistant.The children are placed in the foster home through the Department of Children & Family Services and the Court either on a short-term or long-term placement according to circumstances. The Department of Children & Family Services contributes a monthly fee which assists with accommodation costs and all other necessities. The Home also receives a quarterly donation from the Nadine Andreas Trust which contributes towards operational costs, this trust is due to end in early 2008..

The NCVO received donations which enabled the Foster Children to go on a Summer Vacation to the Brac in August 2007, and also to attend various Summer Camps. We would like to send the children on vacation in August 2008 and are in need  of donations towards this project.

The NCVO relies heavily on other donations and fundraising activities to sustain this programme as projected costs to run the home for the 2008-9 financial year are in the region of CI $250,000.

Contact John Alban, Care Manager on. 945-8698 or caremanagerncvo@hotmail.com

THE NCVO CARING COUSINS WELFARE SCHEME

This is a fund which provides lunch for students in need . In addition we offer small welfare grants like pocket money for a few of The Pines Retirement Home residents who have no other source of income, and give donations throughout the community to people who are undergoing severe financial problems due to personal hardship or tragedy.

During the past year we have been able to assist ten students from several different schools by donating to the lunch support programme which ensures that needy cases receive a daily lunch. We have also supported families undergoing hardship by paying student book fees, purchasing school uniforms, shoes, and book bags. We have assisted needy families with rent payments, food purchases, and utility payments. We were able to assist with medical surgery costs which ultimately saved a young girl's sight. A walking aid was purchased for an elderly person. A donation was made to the Christmas campaign by a local service club to encourage funds for the needy. A family was assisted with funeral expenses. Spectacles were purchased for a small boy with severe astigmatism.

Applications for assistance from this fund continue to grow and ongoing donations are required to keep it active.

Contact Janice Wilson, NCVO Chief Executive Officer, 949-2124

THE JOHN R GRAY MEMORIAL GRANT

The NCVO donates annually to this fund from proceeds raised at the Radio/Telethon. Students, who have insufficient funding, are encouraged to apply for financial assistance if they wish to attend an overseas university or a college of the Cayman Islands. These grants are not intended to cover the full amount of study costs but to augment the funding they already have acquired.

Students may be assisted throughout their university or college period if they maintain acceptable grade pass results.

During 2007 the NCVO assisted twelve students with their further education costs, donating a total of US$22,000.

The deadline for applications for 2008 is 1st August 2008, funds will be distributed in September 2008.

Contact Janice Wilson, NCVO Chief Executive Officer, 949-2124

THE PINK LADIES VOLUNTEER CORPS

This is an organisation started by the NCVO in 1980 which has approximately 100 members. The organisation was created for two main purposes (a) to provide much needed voluntary help at The Pines Retirement Home, The Lighthouse School, and the George Town Hospital and, (b) to raise funds to meet some of the needs of The Pines Retirement Home, The Lighthouse School, the George Town Hospital, NCVO projects, and other causes throughout the community.

Over the years, activities have expanded in other directions. The Pink Ladies opened the Pink Hibiscus Coffee Shop at the George Town Hospital in 1981 and in 1982 a Craft Group was formed. The main fundraising activities include the Coffee Shop, Craft Group, Christmas Bazaar, a Spring Luncheon and Fashion Show and a Golf Tournament.

We are always looking for new members to join and the amount of time a Pink Lady volunteers is entirely up to the individual. On average this is probably in the region of three hours per week; but we would welcome any amount of time an individual can give as it would contribute towards the success of the organisation. The Pink Ladies focus their efforts in many areas, some of which are:-

THE PINES RETIREMENT HOME:
Work here is mainly assisting with the general care of the residents, especially at meal times.

THE LIGHTHOUSE SCHOOL:
This School cares for children who are physically or mentally challenged. Here, the need for voluntary help is great and teacher assistance is always needed.

CRAFT GROUP:
The group meets once per week. Only basic sewing skills are required to join in and the ladies have tremendous fun producing items for sale at the Christmas Bazaar.

THE PINK HIBISCUS COFFEE SHOP:
This is the major fundraising source. The shop is located in the George Town Hospital and has a superbly fitted air-conditioned cafeteria which serves hot meals and snacks throughout the day.

As you can see, the activities that the Pink Ladies participate in are quite varied and diverse. There is something for everyone to get involved in. New members are always welcome and encouraged to become part of the organisation to ensure that these projects continue to flourish.

If you would like further information about joining the Pink Ladies, please contact Jane Bird,Diector, at  P.O. Box 11402, KY1-1009

GAMES & BOUNCY CASTLE RENTAL

Several games are available for rent through the NCVO offices for school fun days etc at a cost of CI $40.00 per game. A bouncy castle is also available for rent at a charge of CI $150.00 for a weekend. The proceeds go towards NCVO programmes.

THE NCVO "NEW TO YOU" BARGAIN SHOP

The NCVO Bargain Shop is located on 90 Anthony Drive, George Town, next to the Richard Arch Children's Centre. It is open from Monday to Saturday 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Clothing and other items are donated and sold for low prices to generate income. The shop has a wonderful supply of gifts and household items at very reasonable prices. Items of clothing, furniture, and appliances, are also donated to needy cases throughout the community.

The Bargain Shop operates mainly on a volunteer basis and The Pink Ladies Volunteer Corps assist with the staffing of this project.

Contact Janice Wilson on 949-2124.