The Ministry of Community Affairs, Youth and Sports is pleased to announce the opening of the new boys wing; an extension of the Frances Bodden Children’s Home (formerly Frances Bodden Girls Home).

The 1800 square foot, open concept facility is located adjacent to the existing building currently housing children who have been placed there for care and protection. This expansion allows the CAYS Foundation to enhance their services for boys and girls who have experienced some trauma in their lives. Girls will reside in the existing building, while the new building will house up to 10 boys who require the same attention.

In 2014, Cabinet granted approval to construct a separate home for boys at the Lower Valley site. The CAYS Foundation Board (which runs the facility), subsequently raised funds through private sector donations to commence and complete the project.

Speaking to the crowd gathered, Minister of Community Affairs, Youth and Sports, Hon. Osbourne Bodden said, “This critical facility ensures that children placed on care orders will not mix with those placed on Youth Rehabilitation Orders thereby allowing the CAYS Foundation to better meet the specific needs of each group.

“The Board of Directors, the General Manager and the staff of the CAYS Foundation have worked tirelessly to accommodate both of these populations, while bringing about meaningful change in the children’s lives. This facility, therefore, will enhance their therapeutic programmes and ensure that children placed in care can continue to flourish, explore and understand their personal and family experiences within an appropriate peer-group setting.”

Several private sector companies and individuals reached out and offered their support raising more than $500,000 to complete the project. John Doak Architecture provided all of the architectural services; Arch and Godfrey managed the building project.

Major financial contributions were provided by Hedge Funds Care, MaplesFS, the Maples Foundation, Frank Hall Homes, Rotary Club of Grand Cayman, Race for Grace Organization, Good Technologies, CI Triathlon Association, AMR Consulting

Engineers, Avatar Mathura, Roland Bodden & Co., Cox Lumber, Caribbean Impact Windows & Doors and Island Paving.

Chairman of the CAYS Foundation Board, Mr Garth Arch, in his thank you speech said every element of the project was donated, “This new building, while it is modest in size, is significant in what it represents – a community coming together for the youth of these islands.”

Her Excellency the Governor, Helen Kilpatrick, was also in attendance and assisted Mr. Arch by presenting plaques to the major donors in recognition of their contributions. Mr. Arch then officially delivered the keys to Her Excellency the Governor, which she received on behalf of the Government.

Acknowledging that the new building was completed in less than a year, Minister Bodden added “This facility is a testament that we—private sector businesses, community service groups and Government—can work together to generously and quickly provide for the needs of the people of the Cayman Islands.”

Photo 1: Frances Bodden Children’s Home boys wing ribbon cutting

(l-r) Premier Alden McLaughlin; CAYS Foundation Board Chairman, Garth Arch; Community Affairs Minister, Osbourne Bodden; Governor Helen Kilpatrick; Deputy Premier Moses Kirkconnell; Finance Minister Marco Archer and Community Affairs Chief Officer Dorine Whittaker

Photo 2: Bunk beds in open concept boy’s wing

Photo 3: Living room area of the Frances Bodden Children’s Home boy’s wing