Ellen Douglas was born September 1st. 1934. In her chosen career she studied psychology Sociology and Counselling at the University of Maryland, she furthered her studies at the National Association of Mental Health in Britain and earned a degree in Vocational Rehabilitation at Loretto Heights College in Colorado. She had a teachers training degree in Speech Education.

Ms. Douglas started her work volunteering at the earlier St. Brendan’s hospital in Devonshire Bermuda. While working at St. Brendan’s as a nurses assistant she observed the status of the young boys as they dealt with their issues of mental disabilities and out of concern she introduced day trips and educational programmes for them. She felt that a residential home would be better for them and she started on the quest of obtaining this goal.

Ms. Douglas found a location on Cedar Avenue (Brunswick Street) and it opened in 1982, under the name of Hope Homes. It was operated by the Association for the mentally Handicapped of Bermuda and run by a board, with Ms. Douglas as Executive Director. The home provided shelter and day programmes for the residents, offering self help and vocational skills. It wasn’t easy trying to operate with so little funds. She pushed on and was assisted by other Charities to acquire the funding to support the Home.

In 2012 she was recognized for her community service and was awarded after 50 years of giving to others. Twenty years of that time she put into the Department of Health. Now in present years the institution where she gave so much of her service has had a name change and is know as MUWI. She followed her calling until the very end, and went on to her great reward on June 3rd. 2022. Well done Ms. Douglas thy good and Faithful Servant.

Researched and Submitted by Joy Wilson-Tucker