Social
Ministries
Outreach Cluster
Ave Maria House
Known fondly as “Duncan Street Centre”, breakfast, lunch, a shower and a change of clothes are on offer here with grace before meals for spiritual nourishment. An average of 150 individuals come in off the street daily and receive.
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Like most cities throughout the world, Port of Spain has its share of destitute men and women who eat, sleep and live on its streets.
For over 30 years, Living Water Community has been reaching out to them through our Caring Centre on Duncan Street, in the heart of the city. Those who used to search for their meals in garbage cans can now be assured of a nourishing and tasty breakfast and lunch at noon, along with a shower and change of clothes.
No one who comes hungry is ever turned away and we have seen divine intervention at work as our ‘five loaves and two fishes’ get multiplied to feed the multitude.
We believe that whereas food for the body is important, the whole person needs to be fed, so we also provide these, our less fortunate brothers and sisters, with spiritual nourishment viz. a Bible reflection at breakfast time, and a Wednesday morning prayer meeting…..And of course, Grace Before Meals is always said at mealtime.
Bethany Place Food Bank
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Whether our country is experiencing an economic depression or an ’oil boom’ the poor continue to be with us. Many families are deprived of the basic necessities of life. Through the generosity of all who contribute to this work of the Community, by providing food hampers, donating milk and helping with the distribution, the Food Bank is able to give out food and clothing on a regular basis.
The Food for the Poor organization, based in Florida, USA, ships container-loads of rice, soya, cornmeal, beans, clothing, etc. and Living Water Community acts as a distribution centre to supply religious and non-religious organisations throughout Trinidad and Tobago.
Rainbow House Warehouse & Distribution Centre
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Rainbow House is aptly named not only because the roof of the warehouse is shaped like an arc but also because it reminds us of God’s promise to supply the needs of His people. “I have placed a rainbow in the clouds. It is a sign of my permanent promise to you and to all the earth.” (Gen 9:13). St Paul reminds us in his letter to the Philippians that “…this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches.” (Phil 4:19) This is the distribution centre and also the storage facility which houses anything that may have been donated to the Community and may assist a poor family. Food for the Poor, based in Florida, USA, supplies a steady flow of containers which are packed with foodstuff, medical supplies, clothing or whatever may have been donated to them in bulk. On a regular basis the warehouse offloads flour, beans, soya and rice and then distributes to various religious and non-religious groups throughout Trinidad and Tobago.
Marian House Developmental Programme for Young Men
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Marian House opened its doors on Christmas Day 1987, welcoming seventy-five young street dwellers with breakfast and carol singing. Established at the request of the Government of Trinidad and Tobago, it has since grown into a transformative developmental programme for adolescent males — offering second chances to young men who need them most.
Rooted in the belief that every child is a victim of circumstance and deserves the right to education, growth and a future, Marian House provides holistic support through individualised development and educational plans, psychometric assessments, career coaching, spiritual formation and life skills training.
The results speak for themselves. Young men who arrived on the streets — some with histories of homelessness, conflict with the law, and broken family relationships — have gone on to pass CSEC and CAPE examinations, attend UWI and UTT, and enter careers in medicine, environmental management and the protective services. A 90% CSEC success rate reflects not just academic achievement but the restoration of dignity, confidence and hope.
Marian House is more than a programme. It is a second chance family — and a quiet but powerful investment in the future of Trinidad and Tobago.
Ministry for Integral Human Development
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The Living Water Community Ministry of Integral Human Development (LWC MIHD) was created when the Venezuelan migration crisis was no longer a cause for concern in Trinidad and Tobago and thus the Living Water Community Ministry for Migrant and Refugees (LWC MMR) was no longer needed.
There is still a considerable Migrant population in Trinidad and It was felt that this population was not to be left behind. A more inclusive approach has now been taken and the empowerment of both our migrant and local communities have now become a priority to the LWC under the new Ministry of Integral Human Development (LWC MIHD).
This new Ministry is to provide a holistic development of the individual, covering all aspects of life: social, economic, cultural, personal and spiritual. It promotes the dignity of the human person, equality between every person and the common good of all people in the community. The development must be moral and open to God as we recognise we are all made in God’s image, the rights of the person young and old must always be upheld.
New Life Ministries Drug Rehabilitation Centres
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New Life Ministry – Drug Rehabilitation for Men
The Community’s ministry towards alleviating the scourge of drug addiction and abuse is two-fold: prevention and rehabilitation The New Life Ministries Rehabilitation Centre is located at Mount St Benedict and offers for clients with the disease of addiction:
- Rehabilitation through a comprehensive 3 month residential programme
- A 21 month follow-up and after-care programme
- Drug awareness and education at schools
This ministry has been in existence since 1986. The Rehab Centre occupies the building that formerly housed the Benedictine Abbey School. The serene location, high up in the Northern Range, its spectacular view, clean mountain air and the prayerful surroundings of the Benedictine monastery, create a healing environment.
New Life Ministry – Drug Rehabilitation for Women
The Community’s ministry towards alleviating the scourge of drug addiction and abuse is two-fold – prevention and rehabilitation.The New Life Ministries Rehabilitation Centre (for Women) is located Palo Seco and offers:
- Rehabilitation through a comprehensive residential programme
- Follow-up and after care programmes for clients with the disease of addiction
- Drug awareness and education at schools
- Aquaponics & Green Garden Projects
At Palo Seco we have launched into an exciting new component to our women’s rehab, with an aquaponics and green garden project. This will involve the raising of tilapia fish on a commercial scale. One of the spin-offs of this enterprise is a ‘grow food’ venture that is biologically connected to the fish tanks. Staff and clients are all involved in this operation, which of course will be a source of food supply for the ministry. Digicel Inc., and Food for the Poor Inc., are sponsors of this project.
Living Water Hospice (dedicated to St. Maximillian Kolbe)
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Mercy Home
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As a Community we are always eager to respond to the needs of the destitute wherever possible. The epidemic rise in HIV/AIDS cases in Trinidad and Tobago caused the Community to embark on a project where those who are so stricken can receive the care that is otherwise unavailable to them.
In April 2006, Archbishop Edward Gilbert cut the ribbon to mark the opening of Mercy Home, our hospice for AIDS patients. This home has ten beds and a wonderful, dedicated and caring staff.
A 38 year old female patient was diagnosed with HIV/AIDS from Medical Research Foundation and was admitted to Mercy Home in 2012. Her husband had died a year before, leaving her with three children. When she was admitted for further care and supervision in taking her medication, from a weight loss of 60 lbs. she left Mercy Home weighing 130 lbs. While at Mercy Home, she joined us in our daily morning prayer and helped with the laundry.
As is done for all our patients before leaving Mercy Home, she received her Welfare Assistance and her Food Card services. From her first pay cheque, a small donation was given to Mercy Home, with tears in her eyes. She comes to visit us often, and when possible, she joins us in prayer and offers encouragement to the other patients.
She says often to others that “Mercy Home is a home away from home.”
Our Lady of The Wayside Halfway Home
This is a safe place for children in crisis – abandoned or abused – they receive emotional support, counselling, help with schoolwork and extracurriculars, religious guidance and big doses of God’s love.
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This home initially began as a home for infants and children in crisis was started in 1988 as more and more abused and desperate mothers turned up at our main centre on Frederick Street begging for help. At first a house had to be rented and eventually the necessary funds were provided to purchase a more permanent home. This now accommodates children ages 5 – 12 who have been abandoned or abused and brought in by social workers or community police. This ministry involves round-the-clock supervision and a caring permanent staff as well as many ‘aunties’ and ‘uncles’ who help in various aspects of caring for these little ones.
Join Us in Serving Our Community
Whether through a financial gift, your time as a volunteer, or donations of food and goods — every act of generosity makes our Social Ministries possible.