Small Grant Makes A Huge Difference For The Shelter

Small grant under the Spotlight Initiative makes a huge difference for The Shelter

The Spotlight Initiative Trinidad and Tobago continues to engage with civil society and the women’s movement by providing funding to support their institutional strengthening, as these organisations are instrumental in efforts to end family violence.

One of the successful recipients of the UN Women small grant under the Spotlight Initiative is The Shelter for Battered Women and Children, a safe haven for women and children who are victims of all forms of domestic violence. 

The Shelter reopened after 3 years of intense renovations, with all new staff. This state-of-the-art facility now has a capacity for providing a safe haven for 21 female survivors of domestic violence along with their children below the age of 10. The goal of The Shelter’s “Project Reset”, funded by the small grant, is for sustainable organisational effectiveness by training staff on efficient operational procedures, good governance, transparency and accountability. Quality service delivery for survivors of domestic violence and their children is crucial for their healing and empowerment. This also facilitates opportunities for building on their strengths and becoming empowered independent women and families.

Chairman Colin Mitchell was grateful to have been a recipient of the small grant and highlighted the numerous improvements he has witnessed thus far in the delivery of the organisation’s services. “It’s changing things in The Shelter already and other organisations should apply for a grant because it makes a huge difference,” he said.