About Us
Rainbow Rescue, a registered NGO, is a home for socially displaced boys aged 10-18 years referred by the Children’s Authority or the Childrens Court and assessed as being severely “at risk” owing to poverty, breakdown in family life, toxic environments or abuse. The home caters for no more than fourteen (14) boys, brought up as a small and manageable family unit, where they learn a range of both practical and psycho-social life-skills. All the boys attend learning institutions outside the home.
Since they all come to us with a history of varying types and levels of trauma or neglect compounded by irregular school attendance, we are always extremely aware of the need for extra assistance in their school-work, training for future work and in counselling for their continued psychological well-being. Some, for example, have ADHD; and others have dyslexia.
Background
On 16 th November 1999, Rainbow Rescue was registered as a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) and incorporated under the Companies Act 1995 of Trinidad and Tobago. The home enjoys charitable status under the Ministry of Finance and operates under licensure of the Children’s Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (CATT).
The Present Situation
Children of today live in a world with increasing materialism, instant gratification, less supportive family structures and in many cases, extremely toxic family environments, increasing school violence, shrinking economies and addiction to devices. Within this scenario are parents unable to cope with the many challenges in meeting their responsibilities. With the resulting breakdown in family life, our children regretfully become victims of neglect and/or abandonment of one kind or other. In this scenario, the State is more and more asked to care for or is often forced to remove the children, to save them from further negative influences. Realistically, some of the residents are more damaged than others, demanding higher levels of trained staff to treat with the various issues. The high cost of this much-needed treatment escalates expenditure by a significant degree and is vastly different than what occurred a generation ago.
Under contractual arrangements as a licencee under The Children’s Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (CATT), the Government via the Ministry of the People, Social Develoment and Family Services pays a variable monthly sum to the Home, dependent on the number and ages of the children under our care during a given month. This amount is less than before the establishment of CATT, when a subvention was given on a quarterly basis. While the present funding arrangement has improved in its timeliness, it approximates 28 % of the operational cost of the Residence, leaving the necessity for continuous fund raising. Many other Children’s Homes face a similar situation.
Operational expenses for 2025 are estimated to be just under one million dollars, ($980,000.00) with a total government subvention of two hundred and eight thousand five hundred dollars ($280,500.00) for that year. There is also recognition of a reduced number of In–kind donations, which trend is expected to continue, given the current economic climate.
The People Behind
The Mission
Mr Dennis McSween
Member
Board Chairman from 2018–2023, Mr McSween remains a Board member. An Industrial Engineer with qualifications in international relations, he brings NGO, Lions Club, senior management, Rainbow Rescue fundraising, and resident support experience.
Mr Mark Andre Augustus
Operations Manager
Mark Andre Augustus manages the service delivery to the residents of the home. Mr Augustus is a professional with considerable experience in helping youth-at-risk, having spent fourteen years in Laventille and three years at Marian House Living Water Community, a residence for boys. Mr Augustus is qualified in facilities management, media and culture.
Ms Curlene George
Programme Coordinator
Ms George coordinates activities beyond primary, secondary, and vocational school, including football, swimming, 5K runs, hiking, volunteers, tutors, and workshops. She is qualified in psychology, criminology, and speech therapy for children.
Administrative Assistant
Administration
Provides financial and logistical support, including cashflow data entry, report filing for the Children’s Authority and Board, and day-to-day assistance to the Manager, staff, and residents.
Caregivers
Residential Care Team
Four caregivers rotate overnight and weekend support, providing meals, structure, chores, life-skill education, and supervision. They receive annual trauma-informed training and maintain the required food, character, and medical clearance documentation.