Caribbean Haven Celebrates 25 Years

On 16 November 2025,  Caribbean Haven Residential Centre (CHRC) celebrated 25 years of transformation and hope. Established on 16 November 2000 under the Department of Counselling Services (formerly Department of Substance Abuse Services) and opened by the then Minister of Health, Honourable Anthony Eden, CHRC has become a cornerstone of substance use treatment and recovery for adults in the Cayman Islands.

When CHRC opened its doors in Breakers, Grand Cayman, the island’s treatment landscape for substance misuse was limited. The decision to establish a dedicated residential facility for both men and women recognised the pressing need for a safe, structured environment where individuals could begin rebuilding their lives.

“Prior to the opening of the Department of Substance Abuse Services, and by extension CHRC, the arrangements in place at the time involved sending persons affected by substance misuse to established facilities for residential treatment overseas,” reflects Judith Seymour, Director for the Department of Counselling Services.  “However, it was recognised that those arrangements were woefully inadequate to address the complexities of the needs presenting in our clients and their families, and that for long-term transformation to take place in their lives, it would be critical to offer treatment to persons within their own environments.”

Initially offering an integrated co-educational residential programme that was three weeks in duration, CHRC later evolved to meet the distinct needs of men and women, and as recommended in a 2006 review of services, adopted a therapeutic community approach to offer habilitation and rehabilitation to its residents. By 2008 a dedicated women’s unit was established, providing a tailored space for recovery in response to local demand and expert review.

Today, CHRC operates as an agency within the continuum of services provided by the Department of Counselling Services, alongside The Counselling Centre (TCC) and the Family Resource Centre (FRC). It provides non-medical withdrawal management and long-term residential treatment for adult men and women residing in the Cayman Islands who are living with substance use disorders and often co-occurring mental health concerns.

At the heart of CHRC’s person-centred approach is an inclusive and collaborative ethos, emphasising readiness for change and a therapeutic environment grounded in empathy and positive regard. Care pathways include short-term screening and non-medical detoxification followed by longer residential programmes tailored to individual needs.

Over the past twenty-five years CHRC’s key achievements include:

• Opening of the 6-bed dedicated women’s wing to fill a gap in care for women.
• Establishment of annual Recovery Month celebrations featuring community education, donation drives, family fun days, and outreach aimed at reducing stigma around substance use and mental health.
• Ongoing review of community needs, followed by rigorous programme enhancement, based on evidence-based practices and through data-driven programme development measures to ensure that services best meet the relevant needs of the clients seeking care.
• Establishment of a smoke-free environment within CHRC to more meaningfully support the health and recovery efforts of residents.

Honourable Katherine Ebanks-Wilks, Minister for Health, Environment and Sustainability, reflects:

“In marking 25 years of Caribbean Haven Residential Centre’s establishment, we reaffirm our commitment under the Misuse of Drugs Act to ensure evidence‑based residential treatment, prevention and rehabilitation for all those affected. The work of both the CHRC is essential in operationalising our responsibilities in education, prevention, awareness and treatment of substance misuse. This milestone underscores our unwavering resolve to build a healthier and more resilient Cayman Islands community.”

Tamara Ebanks, Chief Officer for the Ministry of Health, Environment and Sustainability, adds:
"Caribbean Haven Residential Centre exemplifies the transformative power of dedicated care and community support. This milestone is a testament to compassion and the enduring impact of investing in people."

As it enters its 25th year, CHRC remains mission-driven; to provide a safe and structured environment for individuals seeking to rebuild their lives, foster recovery trajectories, and support the Cayman Islands community in reducing stigma and expanding access to treatment. Moving forward, the Centre continues to uphold its slogan to serve with compassion, innovation, and unwavering hope.

Kimberly Febres, Clinical Supervisor for Caribbean Haven Residential Centre, noted: “Caribbean Haven Residential Centre is currently seeking to redevelop, review, and expand services to continue providing the highest standards of care in line with regional and international best practices. This includes adding additional staffing roles, adding to the physical spaces to meet treatment needs, and continuing to work with our partner agencies to provide a thorough continuum of care. Caribbean Haven’s services are crucial, providing a safe space where people can focus on recovery, healing, and personal growth to build satisfying lives as healthy members of the Cayman community.”

To commemorate its anniversary, CHRC has partnered with the National Tree Planting Programme to create a “Hope Garden” on its Breakers campus. Each tree represents the flourishing recovery journeys of residents, symbolising CHRC’s enduring commitment to the individuals and community it serves.