Home-Start needs funding to keep their doors open

Home-Start needs your help to keep their doors open and to continue looking after the 60 families that depend on them.

The non-profit organisation has run into some tough times and needs a cash donation of R100 000 to cover their operational costs, which include staff salaries, travel costs for volunteers and for the general upkeep of the building they are in.

The organisation started in October 2001 at their main office in Benoni and their purpose is to assist and support parents facing challenges.

Erica Strydom, director of the organisation, said: “Millions of people are struggling to cope with problems such as socio-economic issues, ill health and stress arising out of cultural and political divide. Added to that, the responsibility of caring for a young family can cause unbearable stress.

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“In the worst scenarios, families reach a crisis point where their existing coping mechanisms have proved inadequate and they are unable to care for their children, who are then at risk of abuse and neglect.

“Our programmes are focused on early intervention to prevent the breakdown of families by giving them relevant, practical and emotional support.

“We are there for parents when they need us most because childhood can’t wait,” she said.

The organisation offers multiple services to families, which include:

• Home visits – They visit families in their own homes where dignity and the identity of the parents and their children can be protected and their innate strengths encouraged.

• Parent Effectiveness Training – PET is a programme that teaches parents how to communicate more effectively with their children and offers step-by-step advice for resolving family conflict.

• Bereavement programme – The programme offers group support to children who have lost a parent or a loved one.

When participating in the group, they are able to connect with others of a similar age who have also suffered a significant loss. Parents and caregivers are equipped with skills on how to help their children through the bereavement process.

• Play therapy – This is a form of counselling that uses children’s natural “language” of play to communicate.

Games, toys and drawings are used to help the child express their emotions, thoughts, wishes and needs.

The play room offers children a safe place to express and work through their difficult emotions.

These programmes are offered to families free of charge and, wherever possible, families are assisted with food and clothes as well.

Home-Start is willing to accept any form of donation, including money, food, clothes and goods that can be sold at their charity shop.

All these items can be dropped off at their offices at 18 Mowbray Avenue, Benoni.

They also are looking for a volunteer fund-raiser who would be willing to raise funds for the organisation.

Residents can give annual donations to cover the following:

• R50 000 will cover their monthly operating costs

• R40 000 covers volunteer training for the year

• R24 000 covers play therapy for 10 children per year

• R20 000 covers play therapy training

• R12 000 will train a PET instructor

• R10 000 for an eight-week PET course

• R3 000 for the bereavement programme

• R5 000 to support a family for a year.

Monthly donations can be made as follows:

• R400 supports a family for a month

• R200 provides a play therapy session for one child

• R200 provides materials for bereavement counselling for one child.

Home-Start is also attempting to raise funds through a crowdfunding initiative through the link https://www.thundafund.com/project/homestart

Any donation will go towards helping a family.

Residents can deposit money into their bank account.

Banking details:

Standard Bank

Branch Code: 013 042

Account No: 022 434 259

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