
Our History
Vision on Mission is a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) that has been in existence since 1995 and was incorporated on the 17th August, 2001 under the Trinidad & Tobago Companies (1995) Act. Vision on Mission is non-denominational with responsibility for the reintegration and rehabilitation of prisoners, ex-offenders, deportees/returning nationals, delinquent youths, and socially displaced persons.
The aim of the organization is to promote and support restorative justice – a philosophy that the Trinidad & Tobago Prison Service and Criminal Justice System has adopted as a policy; to provide transitional housing, training and re-training opportunities, employment opportunities, reduced-rate rental facilities, banking opportunities – such as with our money management programme, and assistance in acquiring government grants and loans. The organization also assists in providing credible references, referrals, recommendations, and legal & civil representation for its clients. We prepare inmates while incarcerated, through the pre-release programme of the Trinidad & Tobago Prison System which consists of the use of various modules and workshops, tailored to prepare an inmate to successfully reintegrate into society. The organization also provides counselling, mediation and professional services to our clientele.
Our Founder
The Founder and Executive President, Mr. Wayne Chance, founded Vision on Mission in 1995 within the Port-of-Spain prison during his incarceration. Mr. Chance recognized the steadily increasing population of young men within the prison system. Mr. Chance, himself, who was also incarcerated at the tender age of nineteen, hails from the community of Arima, Trinidad, W.I., and from a family of seven as the eldest child.
During his sentence, he drew upon his strong spiritual beliefs, and this, coupled with deep introspection acted as the catalyst for his overall transformation.
This transformation resulted in the emergence of an organization that would assist ex-inmates on their release to re-enter society successfully. It is an organization dedicated to the rehabilitation and reintegration of ex-offenders, deportees, delinquent youths and the socially displaced into society. It is also dedicated to conceptualizing anti-crime strategies and dedicated to re-educating the citizenry.
Prior to the formation of Vision on Mission, there was no organization in Trinidad & Tobago, or the wider Caribbean that performed such services for ex-offenders. It is this clear vision to found such an organization which establishes Mr. Wayne Chance as a pioneer and vanguard in the field of charitable work in Trinidad and Tobago and the region at large.
Mr. Wayne Chance
VISION ON MISSION adheres to the Restorative Justice Philosophy
Restorative Justice is not a specific programme but rather a way of practicing justice that embraces various Restorative Initiatives. A Restorative Justice System sees crime as an abuse of people and relationships. It creates a duty to make things right and involves the victim, offender and community in search of ways to promote healing, understanding and support. Restorative Justice is not a blue-print, programme, or mediation, but is primarily about forgiveness and reconciliation, designed to reduce recidivism, not necessarily a replacement for prison. Restorative Justice seeks to make offenders take responsibility for their actions and to make amends.
Our Time Line
The Opening of VOM’s Rehabilitation and Reintegration Estate at Wallerfield
Acquisition of 12 Acres of Agricultural Land
VOM was named the 2012 recipient of the JB Fernandes Award for NGO Excellence
VOM awarded the Citizen’s Award by the Institute of Law and Academic Studies
Vision on Mission’s Board was Officially Installed
Vision on Mission’s Pre-Release Programme
Official recognition of VOM by the United Nations Development Programme
The Youth Arise Programme is Established
Task-force Developing the National Youth Policy
Official Recognition of VOM by the MNS
Establish In-Transit Facility at Champs Fleurs
First Major Donation
Talk Show Presenter
First appearances on media
Incorporated as a NGO
Embrace of concept of Vision on Mission
Released from Prison
Our Birth
Donate To The Reduction In Recidivism And Creating Safer Communities
Each donation goes towards the operations of the varied programmes and services provided to VOM’s clients.