We had a client who faced significant challenges, including a history of alcohol and drug addiction, specifically heroin and cocaine. He had spent years in prison. Upon his release, the client was referred to our services, and together, we began working towards helping him achieve independence.
We arranged appointments with his psychiatrist, assisted him in applying for his pension, and enrolled him in active aging centers as he suffered from loneliness. We also applied for housing accommodation on his behalf and supported him during hospital appointments. During our sessions, we developed a budget plan, which enabled the client to start saving money.
The housing authority eventually granted him a place to stay, and we then focused on helping him settle into the community. Our interventions included assisting him in acquiring some furniture and basic kitchen equipment for his new home. We accompanied him on grocery shopping trips and familiarized him with the neighborhood, showing him where essential amenities like the pharmacy and clinic were located.
Once the client moved into his new home, we continued to check in on him every few days. He is now living independently, and he occasionally visits us to share a cup of coffee while recounting his experiences and life stories.
Author: silvester.vella@gmail.com
A woman in her thirties and her 5-year-old son came to us after becoming homeless. The mother had endured significant mental health issues and past domestic violence, which took a toll on both her and her child. Finding a job was incredibly difficult for her, as was managing her time, taking care of her son, attending appointments, and even getting out of bed each day. We provided extensive support, helping her with mental health care, navigating the challenges of employment, prioritizing her responsibilities, and developing her parenting skills, with the help of other professionals.
We also addressed her son’s mental health needs, ensuring he received the support necessary to manage his learning disability. With our collective efforts, she was able to stabilize in a job, save money, and eventually rent with her friend.
Her journey highlights the resilience required to overcome adversity and the transformative impact of a supportive community.
Dar Imelda and Paul Debono
Service Description
Dar Imelda and Paul Debono is a community-based residential service with round the clock support. It provides psychosocial support to adult women who experience mental health and homelessness challenges.
The Home is specialised for adult female individuals who have been admitted to Mount Carmel Hospital for a myriad of different reasons. The multi-disciplinary team (Coordinator, Social Worker, Support Worker and a team of care-workers) work hand in hand with Mount Carmel Hospital and the Mental Health Community Clinics to facilitate pathways and assist and support the residents who have been institutionalised for a long period of time due to mental health difficulties by enhancing their skills and activities of daily living. This, with the aim to help them reintegrate back in society as independently as possible.
Potential residents are informed about our services by the professionals at either MCH or the Mental Health Clinics. All referrals are reviewed by the intake team and discussed with the multidisciplinary team of the Home to ensure that the prospective resident’s needs can be met.
Aims and objectives
Once the assessment is done and the resident starts her placement, we start by formulating a care plan where it targets the very first basic needs and goals such as keeping up personal hygiene, budgeting, learning new skills raging to more elaborate goals such as discovering job or academic opportunities.
Our aim is to provide a safe residential environment for adult females with mental health challenges, enabling them to develop independent living skills, enhance their social and emotional well-being, and actively participate in the community.
Objectives.
- Promote Social Interaction and Emotional Well-Being:
- Fostering a community atmosphere that encourages social interaction among residents, reducing feelings of isolation and loneliness.
- Provide emotional support to help residents manage their mental health challenges effectively.
- Enhance Independent Living Skills:
- Educate residents on the significance of essential life skills, providing guidance and support to help them develop competencies in areas such as personal care, basic cleaning and cooking.
- Encourage residents to increase levels of responsibility in managing their daily routine and promoting self-reliance and confidence.
- Facilitate Community Integration.
- Support residents in participating in community activities and access local services, fostering a sense of belonging and inclusion
- Collaborate with local organisation to create opportunities for residents to engage in meaningful social, educational and recreational activities.
- Provide Round-the-Clock Support.
- Ensure that residents have access to continuous support from trained staff, addressing their needs promptly and effectively.
- Maintain a safe and secure living environment where residents feel comfortable and supported in their journey.
- Empower Residents to Reach their Full-Potential.
- Create individualized support plans tailored to each client’s unique needs and goals, helping them to maximize their personal growth and development.
- Encourage residents to set and achieve personal goals, fostering a sense of accomplishment and self-worth.
- Support Transition from Homelessness
- Provide stable housing and support services to residents by helping them rebuild their lives and establish a sense of routine.
Success Stories:
Testimonials
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“Dar Imelda is a safe home for my mother and that makes my thoughts rested. Whenever I asked something as regards within my mother, support and help were everytime there.…
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“To start with they have a very highly qualified and well trained management and staff for all kinds of life situations, especially when it comes to mental health. This Foundation …
“We might not always see the results we want on a daily basis, but it is satisfying when daily wins are celebrated along the way within the team and residents.” Ms Kimberley Xeureb, Home Coordinator
Dar Franġisk
Service Description
Dar Franġisk is a community-based residential service designed for five adult males who are capable of managing most personal needs but struggle with complete independence. It serves as a transitional stage between fully supported residential services and independent living arrangements. Residents are empowered to gain life skills like cooking, cleaning, and household management by the end of their stay. Dar Franġisk provides a more flexible structure than Dar Victoria, helping residents refine their skills and preparing them for more independent living arrangements.
Aims and Objectives
To offer a transitional residential environment that supports adult males in refining their life skills, achieving greater independence, and building meaningful connections, preparing them for a successful transition to independent living arrangements.
- Facilitate the Transition to Independent Living:
- Support residents in refining essential skills such as cooking, cleaning, and household management.
- Encourage residents to take responsibility for their personal care and living arrangements, promoting self-reliance.
- Promote Skill Development in a Flexible Environment:
- Provide a flexible setting where residents can practice and improve their skills at their own pace.
- Offer opportunities for residents to set personal goals and work towards them with minimal guidance.
- Strengthen Networks:
- Assist residents in building stable relationships with family and social circles, promoting community integration.
- Encourage participation in community groups or voluntary work, fostering a sense of contribution to society.
- Prepare Residents for Independent Living:
- Work with each resident to create personalized plans that focus on personal growth and development.
- Regularly assess progress, adjusting support as needed to ensure a successful transition.
- Empower Residents to Achieve Long-Term Stability:
- Equip residents with the tools and resources needed to sustain independence beyond their stay at Dar Franġisk.
- Provide ongoing emotional and practical support to navigate the challenges of independent living.
Testimonials
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“Fondazzjoni Suriet il Bniedem has always shown a high level of care, dedication and professionalism in running and managing Dar Imelda and Dar Victoria/ Franġisk. Over the years, I have…
Success Stories
“True independence is more than just having a place to call home; it’s about nurturing the confidence, resilience, and skills needed to truly flourish. We find great joy in empowering residents to take charge of their lives, build meaningful connections, and step into a future where they can live with dignity and pride.” Dar Franġisk Team
Dar Victoria
Service Description
Dar Victoria is a community-based residential service offering specialized services for thirteen adult males. This service supports individuals struggling with mental health difficulties who do not require inpatient hospitalization but face challenges in managing daily life independently. Many may be transitioning from homelessness. At Dar Victoria, we offer around-the-clock support to help residents maintain a high level of independence. Our residential home fosters a positive environment that encourages social interaction, focusing on emotional well-being and community engagement. We also aim to empower residents by helping them learn or re-learn essential life skills to integrate fully into society and reach their maximum potential.
Aims and Objectives
Our goal is to provide a safe, supportive residential environment for adult males with mental health challenges, enabling them to develop independent living skills, enhance their emotional and social well-being, and participate actively in the community.
- Promote Social Interaction and Emotional Well-Being:
- Foster a community atmosphere that encourages social interaction, reducing feelings of isolation and loneliness.
- Provide emotional support to help residents manage their mental health challenges effectively.
- Enhance Independent Living Skills:
- Teach residents essential life skills, providing guidance on personal care, basic cleaning, and cooking.
- Encourage residents to take responsibility for managing their daily routines, promoting self-reliance and confidence.
- Facilitate Community Integration:
- Support residents in accessing local services and participating in community activities.
- Collaborate with local organizations to create opportunities for social, educational, and recreational engagement.
- Provide Round-the-Clock Support:
- Ensure continuous support from trained staff, addressing residents’ needs promptly and effectively.
- Maintain a safe and secure environment where residents feel comfortable and supported.
- Empower Residents to Reach Their Full Potential:
- Create individualized support plans tailored to each resident’s unique needs and goals.
- Encourage residents to set and achieve personal goals, fostering a sense of accomplishment and self-worth.
- Support Transition from Homelessness:
- Provide stable housing and support to help residents rebuild their lives and establish a sense of routine.
Success Stories
Testimonials
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“I would like to thank you for the care and attention you give to my son and the rest of your patients, which you call residents. You send us emails and…
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“Dar Victoria provides a supportive and safe environment for male patients suffering from severe and chronic mental illness. Without this residential home, many of the current residents would still be…
“In the realm of mental health, it is crucial to recognize and celebrate not only significant achievements like gaining employment or learning new skills, but also small, everyday accomplishments. Acts of kindness, showing respect, and thinking of others are meaningful actions. The journey in mental health recovery is not always swift, but pride in even the smallest achievements can have a profound impact on our residents.” Ms Lara Abela, Home Coordinator
Dar Tereża Spinelli
Service Description
Dar Tereża Spinelli is a homeless shelter for adult women and their children who need temporary accommodation due to various social difficulties. The aim of our service is to provide dignified and safe accommodation to individuals who are sleeping rough or couch surfing, while also helping them work with a professional multi-disciplinary team to create a plan that leads to full and independent integration into society.
At Dar Tereża Spinelli, we offer secure and peaceful temporary accommodation that helps residents regain a sense of dignity and self-worth. Through our services, we aim to provide the necessary skills and resources to help women and their children confront life’s challenges, paving the way to a better quality of life and eventual independence.
We focus on offering guidance and professional support through personalized care plans, empowering residents to achieve their goals and reintegrate into society with the tools and confidence needed for long-term success.
Goals and Objectives
We aim to provide homeless women and their children with a service that brings about positive changes, helping them realize their full potential and achieve independence through the following objectives:
- To offer temporary accommodation and basic provisions, promoting the safety and well-being of women and their children.
- To create a safe and supportive environment where residents can reflect on their situation and address socio-economic difficulties, dysfunctional relationship patterns, and emotional or psychological stressors that contributed to homelessness.
- To provide psychosocial support through a multidisciplinary team of professionals, using a person-centered approach that gives individuals autonomy and responsibility to choose their own goals through a non-judgmental care plan.
- To empower residents to cultivate holistic well-being, enabling them to make decisions that lead to a dignified, rewarding life with minimal dependency while fostering self-respect and self-worth.
- To support individuals in developing essential life skills needed for independent living.
- To offer services that encourage individuals to engage in education and/or employment, secure alternative accommodation, and build a supportive social network.
- To provide emotional and psychological support for children, helping them cope with the difficulties associated with homelessness.
- To ensure children receive educational and behavioral support, safeguarding their holistic well-being.
- To help families or individuals establish a sense of belonging within the community, built on mutual respect and responsibility toward society.
Success Stories
Testimonials
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“As a professional who collaborates closely with the staff at Fondazzjoni Suret il-Bniedem, I have witnessed firsthand the transformative impact they have on the lives of individuals experiencing homelessness. The…
“Our work is a testament to the resilience of humanity and the power of compassion in the face of societal challenges. As professionals, we strive to make a difference in the lives of vulnerable individuals, one action at a time, creating a more just and equitable society.” Ms Tracey Vella, Coordinator Dar Teresa Spinelli & Dar Leopoldo
Dar Leopoldo
Service Description
Dar Patri Leopoldo is a homeless residential shelter for adult men in need of temporary accommodation due to being homeless because of various social difficulties. The aim of our service is to give individuals who are sleeping rough or couch surfing a dignified and safe accommodation while also providing the opportunity for these individuals to work with a professional multi-disciplinary team on a plan that would eventually lead them to being fully and independently integrated into society.
At Dar Leopoldo, we offer a safe, secure, and calm environment where residents can regain their sense of dignity and self-worth. This peaceful accommodation helps them develop skills to tackle life’s challenges with the ultimate goal of enhancing their quality of life.
In addition, our objective is to offer residents professional care and support from a multi-disciplinary team while guiding them through specific interventions and pathways that enable them to work towards independence and integration back into the community.
Goals and Objectives
We aim to provide homeless men a service which brings about changes contributing to the process of achieving optimum potential in dealing with their life situations to become independent through the following objectives:
- To offer temporary accommodation and basic provisions.
- To provide a safe and supportive environment whereby the individual can reflect on his situation and address any socio-economic difficulties, dysfunctional relationship patterns, and emotional and psychological life stressors which led to homelessness.
- To provide support through a multi-disciplinary team of professionals using a person-centered approach, where the individual is given autonomy and responsibility to choose his own goals through a care plan without judgment.
- To empower residents to develop a healthy holistic well-being and make decisions that enable them to lead dignified and rewarding lives with minimum dependency while fostering self-respect and self-worth.
- To support the individual in acquiring life skills necessary for independent living.
- To offer a supported service whereby each individual is encouraged to engage in education and/or employment, secure alternative accommodation, and establish a supportive social network.
- To encourage the individual to foster a sense of belonging within the community based on moral respect towards society.
Success Stories
Testimonials
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“From social workers to caregivers, I arrived at Dar Leopoldo as a lost and confused 19-year-old. I left with a clear plan, a stable life, and an education (Bachelor’s degree).…
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“As a social worker, I had the pleasure to work closely with professionals working at Dar Leopoldo. I am highly grateful for their sterling work purposely to support and improve…
“In the realm of mental health, it is crucial to recognize and celebrate not only significant achievements like gaining employment or learning new skills, but also small, everyday accomplishments. Acts of kindness, showing respect, and thinking of others are meaningful actions. The journey in mental health recovery is not always swift, but pride in even the smallest achievements can have a profound impact on our residents.”
Ms. Lara Abela, Home Coordinator at Dar Victoria
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