U-turn sleep-out raises R1.65 million in a rain-soaked night. The recent event brought the community together despite challenging weather conditions on Saturday 18 April. Over 30 leaders braved the rain and cold to highlight homelessness.
Cold rain and strong wind swept across the city as participants in U-turn Homeless Ministries’ “A Night on the Streets” fundraiser spent the night outdoors in Constantia.
More than 30 business and community leaders took part, collectively raising funds for U-turn’s rehabilitation programmes. Participants each committed to raising R10 000 while sleeping outside to raise awareness, as previously reported in People’s Post (“A Night on the Streets”, Tuesday 14 April).
Harsh conditions deepen experience
Participants remained outdoors for up to 12 hours despite persistent rain; organisers said the weather intensified the discomfort and exposure faced by participants.
“It was a very difficult night, but the participants were troopers and stayed out most of the night,” BMW Constantia dealer principal Matthew James said.
Funding supports Claremont centre
The funds raised will support the organisation’s Claremont Homeless Service Centre, also known as the Powerhouse Centre, says U-turn communications lead Steve Underwood.
The facility operates at the corner of Stegman Road and Claremont Boulevard, operating 24 hours a day. It provides meals, clothing, ablutions and overnight shelter. It also offers counselling and rehabilitation support aimed at long-term change.
According to Underwood, the centre serves about 800 unique individuals each year, many of whom engage only briefly. “Many of those individuals just go from place to place and never really long term,” he said.
Structured pathway off the streets
U-turn runs a structured rehabilitation and work readiness programme with about 175 spaces available. The programme forms part of a two-year pathway from street homelessness to reintegration.
Underwood said the sleep-out funding could support about a year of operations at the Claremont centre.
Building awareness and empathy
Underwood said the event goes beyond fundraising and helps build awareness. “When people sleep outside on the street, it does make a statement,” he said.
He said the harsh weather helped participants better understand life on the streets. “It was just so impressive to see them out there sleeping in the wet. People who live on the streets do not have a choice.”
Participants also experienced sleep deprivation. “You only get about one or two hours of sleep. You realise how tough it must be day after day,” he said.
Plans to scale nationally
Underwood said U-turn aims to expand the initiative nationally, although participation remains a challenge. “Most people do not want to sleep outside, and that is understandable,” he said.
He said the long-term vision is to grow the event into a national movement, possibly linked to awareness days such as World Homeless Day. “If we can get to a national scale, even small contributions would make a huge difference,” he said.
Long-term impact focus
U-turn says its programmes combine immediate relief with rehabilitation and skills development.
The organisation says about 80% of participants who complete the programme remain stably housed and employed.
Organisers said this year’s rain-soaked sleep-out reinforced both the urgency and complexity of addressing homelessness in Cape Town.
READ MORE: Cape Town NPO U-Turn urges employers to support formerly homeless graduates
