President of Family Support Network (FSN), Ms Judith Charles said the organisation is poised to execute two new programmes: Partnership for Peace for women and the other is a 'Get back on your Feet' for women but they need funding. Photo: VINO/file

Peter Island Resort held a yard sale on Friday November 8, 2013 to raise funds for FSN's work. Photo: VINO/file

The young members of the New Life Baptist Children’s Church recently embarked on a project to donate canned and non-perishable foods to the Family Support Network (FSN) for a 4-month period. Photo: VINO/file

The estimated sum of approximately $3,000 from the Peter Island Resort yard sale will go towards the execution of one of the programmes. Photo: VINO/file

FSN has bravely taken on the mandate to execute the two programmes despite not having the full funding in hand for either just yet but believes it is necessary to make a start because of their importance at this time.

“Partnership for peace is sponsored by the government and it is for men where they are sent for their court mandated anger management and training but there is not a similar training programme for women,” Ms Charles said. She added, however, that FSN has been asked to fill the void with a similar programme for women which it has humbly agreed to.

Get back on your feet is a programme designed to equip women with the necessary skills in areas of resume writing, budgeting among others. “We have so many women that are facing these challenges and need the help. But financing these programme is our main challenge at this time,” said Ms Charles.

The FSN President told Virgin Islands News Online that FSN has succeeded in organizing one of the programmes in terms of securing a venue and other “foundational things” and is hoping that the funds raised from the recent Peter Island Resort’s yard sale will go a far way in executing one of the programmes.

Contacted on November 11, 2013 Ms Charles said she was not able to confirm the direct amount that was raised at the yard sale but said that based on the list that they were given and the cost that was attached to each item they should have in the vicinity of $3,000. “This should be able to get at least one of the programmes, like the ‘Get Back on Your Feet’ programme, off the ground.”

The Family Support Network (FSN) is a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) that assists victims and others affected by Domestic Violence.