Living Hope, which was formerly known as Freedom for Life Ministries, has been developing the Life Centre project for the past seven-and-a-half years. It purchased a property in Vauxhall Street in 2012 with the hope of turning it into a drop-in centre.
The government has now agreed to give the organisation, which was founded by former probation officer Kevin Houiellebecq, £61,500 from the Criminal Offences Confiscation Fund to help develop the project.
Treasury Minister Susie Pinel has signed a ministerial decision authorising the transfer of the money from the fund to the Justice and Home Affairs Department, which will then pass it on to Living Hope.
The report accompanying the decision states the drop-in centre would be the first of its kind in Jersey.
It adds: ‘It has been designed as a safe and friendly space which will provide much needed support for people who are struggling to settle back into the community. The project not only works with individuals, but also with families, both of prisoners and ex-prisoners, and provides mentoring support and practical support (such as helping individuals find suitable accommodation and employment), in order to help people move away from their offending behaviour and become contributing members of society.’
