Driven by a mission to make the community safer and provide young people with an alternative to drugs and gangsterism, the First Community Resource Centre (FCRC) was birthed over two decades ago.

Founder pastor Craven Engel believes the Hanover Park faith based non-profit organisation (NPO) is even more needed today than it was then.

Engel said FCRC was started in 2002 with the intention of poverty alleviation and provide counselling targeted at residents, youth influenced by gangsterism and drugs as well as abused and neglected children.

Connecting children

According to Engel, the centre runs a range of community programmes aimed at supporting vulnerable residents.

Among these is an Orphan and Vulnerable Children (OVC) programme for children aged 0 to 17 years, which connects young people with safe houses and foster parents when needed.

He said a social work programme also provides counselling and support services to families and individuals in distress.

Engel explained that older residents are supported through a senior programme, which operates three times a week and offers activities and social support.

“Food security forms a key part of the centre’s work through its sustainable livelihood programme, which provides around 1 000 people with a warm meal each day.

“Unemployed residents can access assistance through the job desk, where they can create CVs, use computers and take part in a job-readiness programme run in partnership with Beulah Africa.”

Recovery services

According to Engel, the centre also offers a substance abuse support programme, linking participants to recovery services including Camp Joy, a halfway house for people undergoing rehabilitation.

He said violence prevention is addressed through the CeaseFire Cure Violence programme, which focuses on reducing violence in the community by working with individuals considered to be at high risk.

“Young people are further supported through an intervention programme that offers art, culture, dance and drama activities for participants aged five to 36.

“The programme works closely with Artscape Theatre, where participants stage annual productions. All children involved in these productions are from Hanover Park.”

Most of the programmes are offered free of charge, however, some programmes require a fee.

He explained that they have clients as far as the Eastern and Northern Cape.

“Our programmes do not have border lines. There are no limits on who can access the programmes. But we target the Hanover Park community and surrounding areas.

“There is a big need in our community regarding the social ills plaguing the community. We have a data-driven and scientifically proven programme so we can measure the impact in real time. We have qualitative data.”

Data driven support

Engel said about 350 000 people pass through the centre annually.

“We measure our qualitative data by looking at how many people are processed into job opportunities, reunited with their families, their communities.

“We measure that data in real time and that gives us credibility. The data proves that the work we do is adding value.”

Engel said when the organisation was founded, it was designed and structured to remain relevant even 20 years into the future.

“We grew with the times and today we are one of the most relevant entities. The organisation ran the flattening the curve programme during Covid 19 on behalf of the provincial department of social development.”

He explained that the organisation’s approach is rooted in a public health model that aims to tackle complex social challenges in a measurable and structured way.

“Most of our programmes are based on epidemiology – how to stop the epidemic of violence, substance, poverty, unemployment.

“We have the public health approach towards all our projects. So, we can measure and make an actual impact.”

He called on organisations and religious institutions to provide funding and support for their work, whether by sponsoring a child or assisting someone battling substance abuse.

He said they do receive support from partners and civic organisations, but stressed that additional funding is always needed.

Albert Matthews, who serves on the management team at the facility, said he sought help from the centre as a young boy addicted to drugs.

“I went there for help because I had a drug problem. Through the programme my parents, who were addicted to drugs and alcohol, also got the help they needed.”

Lives Changed

Matthews explained that after completing the rehabilitation programme, he stayed on at the organisation and began volunteering.

“When I arrived there as a young person I was treated with respect. They never spoke to my condition but to my potential. I just needed somebody to recognise my potential. The centre was that platform for me.”

Today, Matthews is a staff member, using his experience to support and inspire others on their recovery journey.

Samuel Gerwel, a former gang member, joined the cease fire programme in 2014 to escape the cycle of gangsterism, violence and drug abuse in his community.

He believes the organisation offered him a second chance in life.

“I was involved in gangsterism for about 30 years. I was told about the organisation by a family member.

“The programme helped me make better decisions and eventually I left that life behind and started a new chapter.”

Today, the Mitchell’s Plain resident is a landscaper and now helps young people in his community by guiding them away from gangsterism and supporting them to build better futures.

“I am proud of myself and how far I came in life. It wasn’t easy but you need to make that decision to change your life,” he explained.

For more information or to support the organisation email contact@fcrc.org.za

READ ALSO: Cape Flats woman trades wedding night for matric dream