Getting to know the Benoni Child Welfare
The Greater Benoni Child Welfare is a registered non-profit organisation which has been in existence since 1924.
The main office is situated in Northmead, with a fully functional office in Daveyton and a satellite office in Etwatwa.
The organisation renders statutory services to children 12 years and younger, and has in excess 300 children on the case-load.
Colin House is the child and youth centre and is situated in Northmead, it provides a safe haven for children who are considered to be at risk within their home environment.
Children from across Ekurhuleni are accommodated in Colin House at any time.
At present, approximately 60 children are channelled through the house per annum in an attempt to prevent them from moving deeper into continuum of care.
In addition to providing for the emotional needs of the children, their physical and educational needs are also considered.
They, therefore, attend schools within the local community and participate in sport and cultural events.
The percentage of children presently being returned to parental care is 60 per cent.
Where family reunification is not possible, such children are placed in foster care of children’s homes.
Additionally Colin House provides parenting skills, life skills, counselling and reunification services are rendered for their families.
The main objective of the Child Welfare is to protect and promote the interest well-being, safety and development of children within the context of family and the community.
But the purpose is to also safeguard the rights of children,
Services rendered by the society include:
n Foster care screening and supervision
n Investigation, prevention and treatment of physical, sexual and emotional abuse of children
n Counselling and guidance to families where children are exhibiting behaviour that cannot be controlled by their parents.
n Placement of abandoned children and HIV positive children.
n Community projects such as poverty alleviation and ABET.
n Foster parent support groups
n Holiday programmes for foster children
The organisation also collaborates with government and other non-government organisations in Benoni.
Benoni Child Welfare is located at 1 Third Avenue in Northmead and can be contacted on 011 849 5241.
