As the issue of homelessness persists in the Big Bay area, the Big Bay Master Property Owners Association (Big Bay MPOA) is calling on the community to give responsibly.
While the instinct to offer assistance to those in need is commendable, the efficacy of the Big Bay MPOA believes that by coming together as a community to support charitable causes, they can help deal with social issues in a more compassionate and supportive way along with reducing the homeless numbers living on the streets of Big Bay.
The area is also grappling with an increase in illegal car guards, beggars and buying from hawkers on the beach front.
“By giving money, the homeless, illegal car guards and hawkers will remain in the Big Bay area, as it is worthwhile. This type of giving does not help as people living on the streets become more dependent on handouts and therefore will not be able to get back on their feet. The money given to individuals feeds substance abuse, continued living on the streets and criminality,” the Big Bay MPOA says in a recent statement.
For the Easter period, the Big Bay MPOA has joined the Eden on the Bay Body Corporate and the Table View Community Policing Forum endorsed an initiative with Tender, Love and Care (TLC) Outreach Projects who promote responsible giving.
“We encourage you to join us in redirecting support to TLC Outreach Projects who are dedicated to making a positive impact in our community,” the statement further reads.
More about TLC
TLC Outreach Projects is a registered non-profit organisation located in Table View. It runs a street ministry project, trying to get people off the streets or helping them with blankets and food in their struggle for survival against the cold weather and the rain during the winter season in Cape Town.
“The rehabilitation programmes for children and youth that were addicted to drugs and have been living on the street take place at the Skills Development Centre in Parklands. From this centre we run an 11 month skills development programme. Although all of them have been drug addicts at some point, they are clean now and have to undergo drug tests on a weekly basis.
“With our education programme, TLC equips them with the following: reading and writing lessons, English literature, computer skills, life skills as well as we do counselling sessions to address their problems. They are not only receiving basic and advanced education but even more so are taught how to recover and rejoin society. This is done through intensive talks and personal counselling, with teaching them skills like discipline, self-control, communication and respect. TLC also cooperates with other organisations to assist these children using for example horse-therapy sessions to address communication problems and overcome anxiety. We are so grateful and proud to say we have seen many lives changed through our programmes,” Colleen Pietersen from TLC says.
Fore more information on how you can help, send an email to Info@tlcprojects.org.za
