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News JAM ES J. PISCOPO THE government signed three public-social partnerships yes- terday, which will provide shel- ter for homeless persons, care and support to victims of do- mestic abuse, and a social work- er to persons with disabilities. On her last day as Social Solidarit y Minister before re- signing to take the presidency, Marie Louise Coleiro Preca underlined the importance of having such partnerships in the social sector. "It's a mutual agreement, where the government commits itself to financially support an NGO and the latter provides ser vices according to our socie- t y's needs," Coleiro Preca said. The beneficiaries who entered the three separate agreements are Dar Emmaus, YMCA and Nazareth Foundation. The foundation of Dar Em- maus will ensure that for the first time, care, support and shelter are provided in Gozo for victims of domestic abuse. It started functioning a few months ago. "We wanted to avoid the shameful situation whereby victims of domestic abuse are lef t in the streets with no shel- ter. It was a need that had to be met within Gozitan societ y," founder of Dar Emmaus Mgr Vella Gauci said. Addressing the media, Min- ister for Gozo Anton Refalo thanked Coleiro Preca's min- istr y and said that without her efforts, this funding would not have been possible. "If it wasnt for Coleiro Preca, this agreement would not have materialised. It is a dream come true for us who worked in this direction," Refalo said. Dar Emmaus will host four- teen victims and their children and will initially employ around 12 persons. The second agreement was signed with established NGO, the YMCA, with the intent to continue providing shelter for homeless persons and minors. "With this agreement the gov- ernment is committed to buy 25 care-plans for the homeless. In the past, the YMCA even had to pay for hotel rooms in order to accomodate those who request their assistance," Coleiro Preca said prior to the signing of the agreement. YMCA chairman Jean Paul Mifsud welcomed the fact that the government was acknowl- edging that homelessness was a grim realit y that needed to be addressed, instead of a ta- boo that no one wanted to talk about. He announced that during the past year alone, YMCA provid- ed around 11,70 0 bed nights to almost 350 referrals. "Unfortunately we are notic- ing an ever increasing trend, year af ter year. This is why YMCA is moving to a new premises in Msida, that would accomodate around 30 beds, eight more than the actual ca- pacit y," Mifsud said. The third agreement was signed with Nazareth founda- tion, with the intent to provide the ser vices of a social worker. Founded in 1995 by Dun Ang Seychell, it currently has three houses with around 30 residents with different disabilities. maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 2 APRIL 2014 Get the best deal for your Travel Money Going abroad? Going abroad? Going abroad? Going abroad? Going abroad? Going abroad? Going abroad? Going abroad? Going abroad? Going abroad? Going abroad? Going abroad? Going abroad? Going abroad? Going abroad? Over 100 currencies, Great Exchange Rates, FREE Buy Back Guarantee, No Commission and FREE KM Airmiles. Simply order your foreign cash online, via email, or by phone and pick it up from FexServ when it's ready. So easy, so quick, so convenient. V A L L E T T A | S T . J U L I A N S | S A N G W A N N | G Z I R A | G O Z O T: 2576 2576 F: 2137 8869 E: info@fexserv.com W: www.fexserv.com Terms & conditions apply. TRAVEL MONEY T H E M O N E Y P E O P L E Victims of domestic abuse, homeless to benefit from public-private partnership Dar Emmaus, YMCA and Nazareth Foundation to join forces with government Marie Louise Colerio Preca (centre) and YMCA Chairman Jean Paul Mifsud (right)