Edenvale’s Child Welfare hosts AGM
“Despite the obvious strain of being under-resourced and over-committed, the staff and committee continue to be positive about the future.”
After its recent 67th annual general meeting Child Welfare SA – Edenvale continues to stand proud of its track record serving the Edenvale and Bedfordview communities.
Also read: Do not give money to beggars – Child Welfare
Despite increasing financial pressure, the NPO continues to assist those in need and help where it can.
Also read: Increasing economic pressure on child welfare leads to pleas for help from community
However, not all branches have been as lucky, in recent years several branches have closed their doors due to decreasing grants and increasing costs.
Also read: Child welfare thank community for support after burglary
In his chairperson report, chairperson of the welfare Pieter le Roux said the organisation continues to prove resilient thanks to its strong committee, community and corporate support.
“Faced with an ongoing three-month cash-flow forecast, it has not been easy to remain optimistic,” said Pieter.
He said through fund-raisers and the generosity of the community the branch has kept its doors open and maintained service levels.
Although donations have assisted in keeping the welfare’s doors open, the organisation’s social workers remain under constant pressure to address the daily caseloads.
Cases the social workers address include abandoned babies, custody access cases, abused and unruly children and foster care placements.
Pieter said social workers spend more time at municipal courts which reduces the time they spend in counselling.
Additionally, social workers are investigating targeted cases of allegations of syndicates working with begging woman and children on street corners.
Earlier this year Edenvale’s Child Welfare partnered with community members and the Bedfordview Community Policing Forum (BCPF) and established the #GiveResponsibly Campaign to address the matter.
Pieter said child welfare is proud of its subsidised early childhood development centre, Pinocchio Educare Centre.
The centre continues to produce graduates that can hold their own in Grade One and provides a school counselling programme to underprivileged schools.
“Despite the obvious strain of being under-resourced and over-committed, the staff and committee continue to be positive about the future,” explained Pieter.
“Every child and family we help means we are contributing to a better society and thanks to our supporters, we intend continuing to offer these services and improve where we can.”
Overall, Pieter said 2018 had been a rewarding year.
Contact Jenny Kennedy on 011 452 5940/1 in the mornings to learn more about Edenvale’s Child Welfare or to make a contribution.
For more news and interesting articles, like Bedfordview and Edenvale NEWS on Facebook or follow us on Twitter
