Local NGOs determined to give more CoCT homeless people chance to start over
U-turn Homeless Ministries and the Hope Exchange officially announced a collaboration on Tuesday that will see them reach more people living on the street.
A group of Homeless people living on the Beitengracht street pavement were served with an order from the Western Cape High Court pending their eviction. Picture: Kayleen Morgan/ Eyewitness News
CAPE TOWN - Local non-governmental organisations (NGOs) U-turn Homeless Ministries and the Hope Exchange are determined to give more homeless people an opportunity to start over.
The two organisations officially announced a collaboration on Tuesday that will see them reach more people living on the street.
A 2020 study by U-turn Homeless Ministries into the cost of homelessness found that more than 14,000 people live on the streets in Cape Town.
The NGOs are now focused on creating a pathway for vulnerable people to overcome homelessness.
U-turn Homeless Ministries said its approach is to change the cognitive thinking of the people by showing them they don't have to live on the street, and that there are other options available for them.
The first phase starts at its support centre, where the basic needs of people in need are met.
This is followed by the rehab phase, where the focus is on addiction and providing tools to become and stay sober.
U-turn Homeless Ministries CEO Jean-Ray Knighton Fitt said staying sober is a very important step in the programme.
“When they have really maintained their sobriety… we immediately get them into some kind of functional participation.”
They are then put into the work readiness phase, which is the third step, where their goals and life skills are explored to ensure that they can succeed in the working world.
Knighton Fitt said at the end of the programme, the candidates will be equipped to reintegrate into society and find work on their own.