Government signs public private partnership for Dar Emmaus, Gozo

by Gozo News · August 5, 2016

Dar Emmaus, the first residential shelter for victims of domestic violence in Gozo, has opened a new chapter in its life. Fondazzjoni Kenn u Tama, who run the home has just signed a public-private partnership agreement with the Ministry for Gozo and the Ministry for the Family and Social Solidarity, through which Dar Emmaus will be managed by a Governing Board.

Apart from emergency shelter and temporary residence Dar Emmaus will begin offering social, emotional, psychological and health protection to all those who need this type of shelter. To this end, Dar Emmaus is putting at the disposal of the Ministry for the Family and Social Solidarity, its ground floor in which to set up a Resource Centre for the Family.

Fondazzjoni Kenn u Tama opened Dar Emmaus in April 2014. The need for this type of service in Gozo had been felt for some time, giving assistance to Gozitans, Maltese and/or foreigners who seek refuge in Gozo. The aim of the home is to provide much needed shelter and to spare victims of domestic abuse the humiliation of being without a home.

The Foundation said that the demand for this service has been far greater than could have been foreseen for the shelter. It said that in two years, Dar Emmaus has provided more than 2,000 overnight shelters.

By virtue of this agreement, the Foundation said that not only can it offer temporary shelter in an emergency but is also able to offer help to the victims to get on their feet and give hope for the future.

The establishment of the Family Resource Centre at Dar Emmaus aims to improve and increase support services – some of which are not present in Gozo, make better and more productive use of human resources, and make a quality leap in efforts to integrate vulnerable people back into society.

The Minister for Gozo, Anton Refalo reiterated the importance of this home offering shelter to those in need. He stated that through this agreement more people will be offered shelter. The Minister thanked Minister Farrugia for his support, and praised the caring staff who looked after those in need at Dar Emmaus.

For his part, the Minister for Family and Social Solidarity Michael Farrugia, said that this is another public-private partnership which will strengthen the country's welfare service. He said that in the coming months the work will be completed on the ground floor of the home, and a Leap Centre will be opened incorporating a Family Resource Centre.

"This will enable vulnerable people who are using the Emergency Shelter services to have all therapy services under one roof. This Family Resource Centre will be for the use of the whole Gozitan Community, Minister Farrugia said."

"I take this opportunity to thank Minister Anton Refalo and Fondazzjoni Kenn u Tama, especially Mgr. Joe Vella Gauci and Fr Michael Xuereb," concluded Minister Michael Farrugia.