Mission Statement

To facilitate participatory community based, self-reliant and sustainable action programs in order to reduce isolation, strengthen the bonds between Government and people and bring about meaningful social change to all throughout the island.

Functions

• To transform all community centres into vehicles for community action and development.
• To provide education and skill training opportunities at the community level to enhance social wellbeing.
• Conduct community audits to determine status and needs of communities.
• Mobilization of communities to initiate community activities and the formulation of community groups.
• Facilitate community projects through BNTF.
• Upgrade, maintain and management of community centres.

Vision

To provide opportunities for individuals and communities to develop the concepts of self-reliance and community action to bring about social change.

Sustainable Priorities

• Initiate homework assistance programs for students in all communities.
• Provide computer and other skill training opportunities for both students and adults in all communities.
• Provide the framework for the building/enhancement of good relationships among youth through training in leadership skills, life skills, conflict resolution etc.
• Establish and develop community groups.
• Mobilize communities into organizing festivals and competitions and provide logistic support for the same.
• Upgrade and maintain existing community centres and construct new centres as necessary.
• Establish neighbourhood watch to reduce incidences of crime and violence.
• Encourage and support cultural development through dance, music, drama and other aspects of the arts for both children and adults.
• Establish a community audit system to capture the demographics, human and physical resources, health and environment issues, employment, needs assessment etc. throughout the island.
• Reduce the vulnerability, in a sustainable and gender sensitive manner of people living poverty through community projects.
• Establishment of community libraries.

Values

• At the Community Development Department we are committed to the following:-
• We strive to provide the highest quality service to the public.
• We treat all individuals with respect, dignity and fairness.
• We recognize fellow employees as caring human service professionals and the essential role that each of us has in helping the Department pursue its mission.
• We foster communication and cooperation within our Department and with other community service agencies to establish and effective network of resources for people in need.
• We recognize and accept changes as an essential requisite for ensuring that services are efficient, effective and equitable.
• We encourage active leadership roles to make service improvements that better addresses our mission.
• We hold ourselves personally and organizationally responsible for achieving outcomes that support our Department’s mission.