For many years, the government of Belize has sought to address troubled or at-risk youths who have behavioral or educational problems using the facility known as the Princess Royal Youth Hostel.
Inside this section of the Community Rehabilitation Department, professionals try to work with children who find themselves in need of the hostel's interventions. But, in making tough decisions for the best interest of their dependents, they have long since been branded as the place where out-of-control children are locked up.
The government wants to change that image, and so the Princess Royal Youth Hostel has been renamed the "New Beginnings Youth Development Center." The name was coined by one of the current residents of the Youth Hostel who is currently participating in the rehab programs. The renaming ceremony took place yesterday, and here's what the creator of the new name had to say about the importance of a positive outlook:
Starla Bradley - Director, Community Rehabilitation Department
"This name change has been long overdue. We've wanted to do this for many years now. But it was not until Minister Dolores came on board. And, you know, she's been a strong advocate for the institution. She motivated us and pushed us to let's get it done. So last year, we actually had a naming competition that we opened up to the residents within the facility or past residents who had already left. We only got a few entries, one from somebody who had already left. And we got a couple from inside the facility. We took a look at it, and we knew that New Beginnings had to be the one. The facility over the years,  you know, we've had such highs and lows, and that's kind of the mirror of the kids' lives. What they come with and what they go through, it's a journey. It's that transition, and I think the name 'hostel' has always had this negative connotation. And so we knew we wanted something more fitting, something that would capture the experience that these children have when they come here."
Hon. Dolores Balderamos-Garcia - Minister of Human Development
"We want to move away from old things, things that have gone before. And we want to have new beginnings. And what I am so thrilled about is that the name was chosen by a resident right here, Mr. Davejon. We changed the name of the institution when we passed the law to repeal the Certified Institutions Act. And now, this facility is called a residential care facility. So along with that change of the law, we have the symbolism of the change of name."
Daveion Dougal - Originator, "New Beginnings" Name
"As soon as I sat down, they were two words that distinctly appeared in my mind. They were 'New Beginnings.' Yes, we all make mistakes. But the words 'New Beginnings' bring to light that we are no longer looking in the rearview mirror but straight ahead into a future that is so bright that we need to wear sunglasses."
The New Beginnings Youth Development Center is now classified as a residential care facility.
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