- The Voortrekker Road Corridor Improvement District (VRCID) and Mould Empower Serve (MES) were awarded the prestigious Downtown Achievement Award of Excellence for their Centre of Hope.
- This initiative provides safe spaces and holistic support to homeless individuals in Bellville and Parow.
- The recognition highlights the success of public-private partnerships in addressing homelessness.
The International Downtown Association (IDA) recognised the impact driven by the Voortrekker Road Corridor Improvement District (VRCID), in partnership with Mould Empower Serve (MES), and awarded them the prestigious Downtown Achievement Award of Excellence.
This award signifies this partnership for its resourceful approaches related to the Centre of Hope: Holistic approach to homelessness.
Deliberated by professional jury
Washington DC-based IDA is the premier organisation for urban place professionals who are shaping and activating dynamic city centre districts. The VRCID is the urban place management organisation representing the interests of property owners in Bellville and Parow.
“A jury of peer professionals reviewed, deliberated and evaluated all entries in the 2024 Downtown Achievement Awards. The Award of Excellence acknowledges an excellent response to an urban place management challenge, demonstrating application of industry knowledge and exceeds the jury criteria,” said Derek Bock, VRCID’s Chief Operations Officer (COO).
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Back on local soil from Seattle, United States, where Bock attended the award ceremony, he said MES’ Centre of Hope championed their holistic approach to homelessness as entered in the category of Public Space Management and Operations.
Unique organisational approach
This, the IDA identifies as one of the seven professional urban place management practice areas.
This category features unique organisational approaches and projects in the areas of cleanliness, safety and hospitality, placemaking, activation and facilities management.
“Receiving this award underscores the strength of our partnership with MES, our dedicated social development partner in Bellville and Parow,” added Bock.
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“This recognition is shared with MES and highlights the power of public-private collaboration in helping those in need. Through the Centre of Hope, we’ve shown that it’s possible to bring individuals off the streets and offer them hope, even if only through a safe place to sleep. Our deepest gratitude goes to Ilse Maartens, MES Cape Town Manager, her incredible team, and our former Social Development Manager, Wilma Piek, for their relentless dedication to this cause.
“We sincerely hope that the authorities will take note of the work done by the VRCID and MES in providing safe spaces for the homeless. Despite operating on a limited social development budget of just R360 000 per year, together with MES, we have made significant strides. We remain committed to financially supporting the Centre of Hope for the next year, recognising that the issue of homelessness is one we all must address – not just the City of Cape Town or Province.”
Praised by the City
Deputy Mayor of the City of Cape Town Eddie Andrews praised the collaboration, stating: “This recognition of the Centre of Hope by the International Downtown Association is a testament to the power of collaboration in addressing the pressing issue of homelessness. The VRCID and MES have shown what can be achieved when we work together to provide meaningful support and create safe spaces for those in need. The Centre of Hope serves as an inspiring example for the City of Cape Town and beyond, demonstrating that through partnerships, we can uplift communities and empower individuals towards self-sufficiency and dignity.”
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The Centre of Hope was established to meet urgent needs within the Parow community, providing safe spaces, access to social services, and holistic support aimed at empowering individuals toward recovery and self-sufficiency.
The Centre offers various development programmes, counselling, and physical assistance, with a strong focus on job readiness and personal growth. By supporting individuals throughout their journey, the Centre plays a crucial role in improving the well-being of the area and promoting responsible giving through community education.
Shared gratitude
Leona Pienaar, CEO of MES, shares her gratitude for the partnership: “We are deeply grateful for our successful partnership with the VRCID, which has allowed us to make a meaningful impact in addressing homelessness in Parow. Together, our collaboration model is creating lasting change and offering hope to those most in need.”
Pienaar highlights public-private partnerships as being essential in addressing community needs, as they bring together resources, expertise, and shared commitment.
“By working together, we can create sustainable solutions that uplift and strengthen our communities. Together we are stronger indeed. It is my prayer that our Parow Centre of Hope will continue to bring Hope to the most vulnerable in our community. A special thank you to Derek Bock and Wilma Piek with their dedicated VRCID team who always go the extra mile to strengthen our hands and feet!”
