SINT MAARTEN (ST. JOHN’S ESTATE) - The White & Yellow Cross Care Foundation (WYCCF) officially opened its new Psychogeriatric Daycare (Daycare PG) and Training Facility on Friday, August 28, marking an important milestone in the Foundation’s continued development of care and training services in Sint Maarten.
The official opening brought together representatives from government, healthcare partners, staff, clients, families and other invited guests. Among those attending were Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina, Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor (VSA) Claret Connor, representatives of Social & Health Insurances SZV, members of the WYCCF Board and Management Team, staff members and other stakeholders.
During the ceremony, WYCCF Chairman Jon Duijnstee emphasized that the opening represents much more than the completion of a new building.
“This building is about creating a place where people with a form of dementia can feel safe, respected, valued and connected,” Duijnstee said.
Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina congratulated WYCCF on the new facility and highlighted its importance for both people living with dementia and their families and caregivers. He described the opening as creating more space for dignity, more support for families and more opportunities for healthcare professionals to learn and develop.
“Buildings create capacity; people create care,” Mercelina said, emphasizing the importance of continued professional development and the dedication of the healthcare professionals who will work within the facility.
The Prime Minister also highlighted the importance of continued collaboration between WYCCF, Government, SZV, healthcare professionals, families and community partners as Sint Maarten responds to an aging population and increasingly complex healthcare and social-care needs.
A special moment during the ceremony was the unveiling of an honorary plaque by longtime WYCCF employee Macfolda Gumbs, following remarks by Duijnstee addressed to Michel Soons. Having served as a board member of the WYCCF for 33 years (of which 17 as chairman), Michel's visionary leadership and enduring commitment to compassionate care were carved in bronze to honor his legacy.
Following the unveiling, Father Johannes blessed the new building. The official opening was marked by the ribbon-cutting by Daycare PG client Violet Mathew and Daycare PG Unit Leader Mildred Lake.
Guests were then invited to tour the new facility and see the spaces clients and staff will use.
More space for specialized dementia care
WYCCF’s Psychogeriatric Daycare was established in 2012 in response to a growing need among families caring for loved ones with dementia at home. The service provides clients with a safe and structured environment where they can socialize, participate in meaningful activities and receive specialized care, while also supporting families and helping clients remain at home for as long as possible.
The Daycare initially opened with 12 places and was gradually expanded as demand increased. In 2018, it moved to a ground-floor location at St. Martin’s Home with a fenced garden and capacity for 20 clients.
By 2023, the waiting list had grown to more than 15 people, making further expansion necessary. With input from the Daycare PG team and architect Jon Hart, plans for a dedicated new building were developed. Groundbreaking took place in July 2025, and the Daycare moved into the new facility one year later.
The new facility doubles the Daycare PG’s capacity from 20 to 40 clients. The additional space is already needed, with the current waiting list standing at 17 clients.
The facility provides a spacious, dementia-friendly environment where clients can socialize, remain active, and participate in structured activities while receiving specialized care.
Investing in training and professional development
The building also represents an important investment in WYCCF staff's continued education and professional development.
The second floor includes a skills lab, a PC room for online learning, two soundproof classrooms and offices for WYCCF’s Quality Team. The classrooms can be used separately for courses, trainings and workshops or combined into one larger space for larger training sessions, seminars and conferences.
Lifelong learning is an important part of WYCCF’s mission and vision. The skills lab provides staff with a dedicated environment in which to practice nursing technical skills and maintain their competencies, while the broader training facilities support employees in their continued professional development.
The opening represents the completion of a major project for WYCCF and an investment in both the capacity and quality of care available to the Sint Maarten community.
Duijnstee thanked the Daycare PG team, WYCCF employees, management and Board, as well as SZV and the Ministry of VSA for their continued support. He also specifically thanked Windward Roads for completing the new building on time and within budget.
The project reflects WYCCF’s continued commitment to responding to the changing healthcare needs of Sint Maarten by investing in both care facilities and the professionals who provide that care.
