A group of passionate young adults from Oasis Drop-In Centre’s Youth Development Programme are making waves in the community with their ambitious plan to address the issue of homelessness.
Determined to make a tangible difference, they have organised several fundraising events, which are planned to fund a headline event entitled Homelessness Awareness Day: Live the Experience, which is scheduled to take place in October.
All proceeds are dedicated to supporting local homeless shelters and organisations.
Steered by Gertruida Hendricks of Oasis Drop-In Centre and supported by Helderberg Community-oriented Project Service (COPS), the youth are led by Tanya Weber and Amirah Ruiters.
Inspired by the growing number of people experiencing homelessness in the area, they felt compelled to take action.
The Homelessness Awareness Day promises to be an unforgettable experience and aims to nurture empathy and understanding within the community by enabling participants to simulate a day in the life of a homeless person.
Beyond raising awareness about homelessness issues, the event also serves as a platform to generate funds supporting skills development programmes conducted by the participating organisations, including the City of Cape Town.
“Our focus is on homelessness, not just rescue, but also reintegration and prevention,” explained Hendricks.
“In the Helderberg there’s been a tremendous increase in homelessness. Another challenge is ensuring people who are helped remain in a conducive and supportive environment, and don’t become homeless again.”
Hendrik Cloete of Helderberg COPS is excited about the initiative. “The Homelessness Awareness Day is a joint initiative that brings together various organisations united in their commitment to shared goals,” he related.
“This distinctive partnership reinforces our mission of community development and skills enhancement, concurrently fostering awareness about homelessness and encouraging empathy within the Helderberg community.”
As the event draws closer the organisers are eager to see the impact of their efforts. They are confident that with the support of the community they can make a lasting difference in the lives of those experiencing homelessness.
More details on the Homelessness Awareness Day will shared closer to the time.
The first of the fundraising initiatives takes place this Friday (2 August), with a toffee apple sale at the premises of Oasis Drop-In Centre at 29 Main Road, Strand (next to Strand Clinic), followed by a boerewors sale at the same venue on Saturday 17 August.
V For more information, sponsorships or any contributions, call Tanya on 067 890 3588.
