The Somerset West Night Shelter was among numerous NPOs working with people living on the streets that not only received a much-needed boost to their coffers, but are aided by long-term plans to ensure sustainability.
This past week the City of Cape Town’s Community, Arts and Culture Development Department (formerly Social Development and Early Childhood Development), started disbursing aid to the value of R157 000 to 12 shelters around the city, to help the organisations navigate the demands of winter.
The aid included refreshments, cleaning materials and hygiene packs for clients, handed over to the following organisations: The Haven Night Shelter in District Six, Kensington, Kraaifontein, Napier Street and Retreat; the Somerset West Night Shelter; Elim Night Shelter; Oasis Reach for Your Dream; Ubuntu Circle of Courage; U-Turn Ministries; Hope Revolution; and MES.
Recipients are required to be registered as a non-profit or public benefit organisation, have existing facilities to accommodate clients and address their needs through developmental programmes, and provide essential services such as meals and access to ablution facilities.
The City also has an existing and ongoing partnership with the provincial Department of Social Development to provide institutional capacity building training for employees and volunteers of shelters.
Training includes a range of topics, like financial management, environmental health management, and building and development topics.
In addition, the City is investigating a potential funding proposal that can help shelters keep their premises compliant.
“Our NGOs do their level-best to keep their services going, but access to funding is an ongoing challenge,” said Patricia van der Ross, Mayoral Committee member for Community Services and Health.
“The City understands all too well the pressures that many of our shelters are facing, and that is why we are looking at a number of interventions to ease the load.
“While this administration has put a lot of effort into expanding the Safe Space model to more areas around the metropole, it is critical that existing shelters remain sustainable too. The more resources there are, the more individuals we help.
“I also want to appeal to the public to get involved. If you want to help people off the streets, please do not give direct hand-outs, but rather donate your time, money or resources to one or more of the shelters in our city.”
