The new management of Helderberg Omgee Halfway House is planting new seeds of hope, cultivating second chances for men ready to bloom beyond addiction.
“Second chances are important because they give men an opportunity to reintegrate into society,” said Bevan Alloys, new executive chairperson of the halfway house.
The facility has started a garden of hope where residents can plant vegetables that provide nourishment while also teaching them patience. The garden serves as a living metaphor for recovery and second chances, where growth takes time and careful tending.
Just as dying gardens require replanting to flourish again, the facility faced closure until Alloys stepped in to nurture it back to life.
Omgee provides accommodation for men over 18 who have completed rehabilitation programmes for substance abuse. It serves as the crucial step for residents between recovery treatment and returning home to their families and community.
Established by concerned Helderberg community members in 2010, Omgee’s founding members cultivated the programme for 14 years before stepping back. Last October, Alloys (29) brought fresh ideas to transform the facility into a space residents would want to call home.
“I wanted to restore the residents’ dignity and honour so they would want to live again.”
To implement his vision, Alloys brought Heather Daniels in as operations manager. The 58-year-old brings 30 years of corporate financial experience, seeing this role as her own second chance after she became unemployed during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“I’ve never been close to anyone with substance-abuse issues, so this has been a revelation for me.”
She implemented structure using the existing 16-week Eagle programme, which was initially met with resistance from residents.
“There’s a person in there who just needs a little understanding. Once you establish structure, even if they resist initially, they eventually embrace it.” Daniels points out.
Even when residents push back Daniels maintains a maternal approach.
“If you’ve been rude to your mother, do you think she’s going to throw you out? No, she still puts her arms around you and says, ‘I love you.’ That’s exactly what we do here.”
The Eagle programme has three components: mind, body and spirit. The mind develops emotional regulation through counselling and life skills; the body focuses on physical wellness through exercise and activities; and the spirit develops a Christian foundation.
“Omgee is a Christian organisation that has the Bible as its anchor,” Daniels added.
Supporting this approach is Smart at Helderberg Care, which provides treatment and after-care services.
“Omgee and Smart work together to ensure clients receive the help they require to live a life of recovery,” said Nicola Arendse, executive director of Smart. “It means not judging or blaming the person, but recognising they have a brain disease and need treatment.”
Omgee’s transformation is just beginning. The team continues planting seeds that bloom into second chances for men ready to build new lives.
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