ORIGIN

Coaching basketball (unofficially) in St. Maarten, Lloyd J. Richardson, M.D. saw firsthand how young people participating in the healthy activity of sports are targeted to engage in recreational drug use, and how quickly that turns into substance abuse.  In 1989, already thinking of a remedy to this problem, Lloyd Richardson, M.D. applied for, and was awarded funding for the H.E.W.E.Y. (HEalth Welfare Education & Youth) building in Zagersgut, which was constructed in 1990.  At the very same time, Mr. Rudy Irion was putting together a concept to combat this issue and approached Lloyd Richardson, M.D. to help build it and sit on the Board of Directors.  Lloyd Richardson, M.D. pulled in two associates and almost immediately began the work of what is known to most today as Turning Point. 

LAUNCH

The team began to work directly, and the foundation was officially registered and launched as a legal entity in early 1990.   The original Supervisory Board of Directors (SBOD) comprised of Lloyd J. Richardson, M.D., Roland Tuitt M.B.A., C.P.A, R.A., and Julien Richards, M.A. Immediately Turning Point began the work of lobbying for and seeing the laws passed for mandated care for clients with serious issues as a result of substance abuse. 

GROWING

In May of 1990, the Turning Point Outpatient Center opened with Psychologist, Dr. Judith Arndell joining the rising institution as the Clinical Director along with two full-time staff and twenty volunteers, to provide a range of substance abuse related counseling to individuals and families on the island.  Turning Point established working relationships with a substantial amount of residential rehabilitation centers from Aruba, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, New Jersey, USA, Philadelphia, USA, Delaware, USA, and the Netherlands.  Additionally, Turning Point worked along with the founders to see to the establishment of Capriles in Curacao.

FUNDRAISING TELETHON

Three years later, Turning Point held Sint Maarten’s first and to date, only region-wide telethon. Supported by a bi-partisan leadership in government and social clubs such as the Kiwanis and the Rotary, Turning Point successfully raising over $250,000 USD to fund the material cost of building the Turning Point Outpatient Center.

PHYSICAL BUILDING & RESIDENTIAL PROGRAM LAUNCHED

Just around 1992, under the leadership of Justice Minister Inderson, the Federal Government of the Netherlands Antilles turned over the hotel property in Upper Princess Quarter (UPQ) to the Island government of St. Maarten and ear marked it to be used by Turning Point for a Comprehensive Rehabilitation Compound (CRC).  At the time, the Upper Princess Quarter Hotel was abandoned and unofficially used as a sort of shelter for drug users and the homeless, so it seemed fitting that government hoped to revitalize the property to combat the wave of substance abuse plaguing the island.

Plan D2, a local city planning an architectural firm was engaged and they delivered professional planning and drawings for the UPQ CRC.  However, Turning Point’s Board was advised to accept an alternate piece of property until the Island Government was prepared to turn over the assigned UPQ to Turning Point.  With that understanding, and with the funds acquired from the telethon, Turning Point erected what was intended to serve as its Interim Center.  The first staff members were trained and subsequently Turning Point opened in June, 1997.  The institution directly began to receive and to see the first inpatient residential clients.

YOUTH PREVENTION PROGRAMS

Soon after opening, Turning Point was commissioned by the Federal Government of the then Netherlands Antilles, to hold an island-wide, regional, youth-focused Drug/Crime Prevention Convention on August 24 – 30, 1997. Turning Point was goaled with building awareness around the importance of living sober and positive lives. The convention was widely successful, hosting over 200 students daily from most of the major high schools on the island, and providing educational workshops on:

·      Peer Counselling

·      Navigating Environmental Challenges

·      Leadership & Motivation

·      Reproductive Health

·      Art (as a preventive tool)

·      Ceramics (as a rehabilitative tool)

·      Individual Vocal & Performance Coaching

·      Mass Gospel Choir

Presenters and instructors were engaged, bringing together local and international professionals from Washington, D.C., the US Virgin Islands, and the Southern USA.

10-10-10 – MANDATED CARE

Following the change of status of territory St. Maarten on October 10, 2010 the Federal Government elected to return St. Maarten’s mandated clients from Curacao. The sitting Minister of Justice issued a “beschikking (decree)” for Turning Point to take up the portfolio of Sint Maarten’s mandated clients. Stepping up, Turning Point agreed to provide support and care for these displaced clients.  The Federal Government sought and assigned funds for the renovation of the property to accommodate this new population. Thus, Turning Point began and has continued to provide care and treatment to mandated clients for the island since that time.

YOUTH PREVENTION CONTINUED

In 2012, under the requests from the VSA (Ministry of Public Health) to continue youth prevention on the island, the Turning Point Drum Corp (TPDC) was created. TPDC provided Sint Maarten’s youth with an opportunity to learn a skill, showcase their discipline and talents, promote drug-free living and bring a positive attitude and activity to the island. Known for having a penchant for excellence in rhythm and style, the Turning Point Drum Corp participated in various local and regional parades throughout the years. Parades included the annual Sint Maarten’s Day Parades; Turning Point parades on Christmas Day to raise funds for local foster homes, and on World Drug Prevention Day to promote awareness surrounding substance abuse issues and drug prevention. When the subsidies from VSA were discontinued, the activities of the drum corp were forced to a halt.

RISING FROM DISASTER AND ASHES

Like many structures on the island after 2017’s devastating Hurricanes Irma and Maria, Turning Point faced incomparable destruction. So much so, that Public Works marked the building like many others in the same condition, to be destined for demolition.  None the less, Turning Point never closed the doors to the residents.  Thankfully, due to the generous funding and support from the Indian Merchants Association and other funding agencies, Turning Point had already erected an annex, which served as a temporary housing alternative for the residents during this most testing time.  Committed to their mission, the staff never missed a day of work. They never left a shift unattended. The cook and supervisor worked at times, in knee-deep water to cook and maintain some semblance of order. 

Defying the predictions of a despairing end, repairs on the main building commenced heatedly with returns from Turning Point’s insurance policy.   As if the success of the repairs were being contended, the “landfill fires” struck.  All businesses and homes on Pond Island were evacuated. With all other emergency housing facilities unavailable to Turning Point residents, and having received no assignment for shelter, one of the Turning Point Board Member’s took the need upon themselves and opened their home to the residents and staff alike. The operation moved “home-based” for almost four weeks, until clearance was given by government, allowing operations to return to the center.

Without government funding for reconstruction, or community aid for the same, Turning Point was remarkably able to rebuild enough to resume operations in the main building. Albeit, the money had limitations. As such, Turning Point was forced to focus on the areas of the building most devastated by the storms.

Despite many trials, insufficient reconstructing finances, hurricanes, landfill fire evacuations, and rebuilding… Turning Point never closed its doors.

Through the years, Turning Point has worked tirelessly to treat and care for those in our community struggling with substance abuse. Turning Point puts our clients first.