Crisis centre AGM: Social decay is rampant and increasing yearly – Wayne Newton

Speaking about the sheer volume of clients they have helped over the past year, chairperson of the crisis centre Wayne Newton said it is evident that social decay is rampant and increasing year on year.

“I believe it is only through community, public and private partnerships and programmes that these challenges are addressed head-on.

“This is one of the surest ways we will ensure that our struggle for social upward mobility becomes a reality for all,” he said.

• The team

Newton praised the “magnificent” work being done by a team of highly-disciplined individuals and praised them for their commitment to the daunting tasks at hand.

“I realise our management team must, at times, be pushed to the limit in order to operate in extremely challenging times. Their overwhelming passion for their clients supersedes their own need for comfort, safety, security and self-satisfaction.”

He added that unforeseen challenges over the past year did not prevent the team from participating in a host of programmes offered by the Department of Social Development.

“These programmes are extremely important to the daily intervention strategies and functioning of the crisis centre, as part of the government’s National Social Development Strategy and Implementation Plan.

Newton said the year was not without its challenges, but the biggest remains that of the dangers caregivers face who service beneficiaries in the community.

“They face danger on a daily basis as they enter into the realm of uncertainty every time they enter a client’s home.”

He also cited learning disability and drug addiction as one of the centre’s most serious challenges.

• Achievements

Newton reported:

• Through the introduction of flexible working hours the centre was able to service all reported OVC cases.
• They identified numerous new clients through its door-to-door campaign.
• 126 learners from Reiger Park Secondary took part in the YOLO programme.
• Grannies attended a workshop with the MEC on foster parenting and some received merit awards.
• Ten caregivers attended courses.
• One caregiver received a learnership to attend a teaching college next year.
• Vulnerable children

What has become evident over the years, Newton said, is that the crisis centre has become the central point of contact for the community’s OVC.

“We provide a host of functions which form the foundation for the development of children. The centre endeavours to fulfil the role of absent father and, in part, the absence of extended family – which has left an enormous vacuum in communities nationally.”

He concluded by saying the centre thrives on participation and ownership from the entire community of Reiger Park and beyond its borders – which is evident by the partnerships the centre has established.

The meeting was concluded with a word of thanks to the community, clients, sponsors, partners, volunteers, counsellors, support groups, the management team, faith-based organisations, the local ward councillor, the SAPS, the CPF, government departments and the Boksburg Magistrate’s Court – without whom, Newton said, the centre could not competently perform its function.

The difference the Reiger Park Community Crisis Centre made in the 2016/2017 financial year:

• 57 OVC identified.
• 995 OVC received counselling.
• 48 youth-headed households received food parcels.
• 4 children received antiretrovirals and support.
• 758 adults received antiretrovirals and support.
• 1 495 families assisted.
• 140 older persons who are caregivers received support.
• 8 beneficiaries identified to have symptoms of TB.
• 35 beneficiaries received TB treatment.
• 19 children referred for a child support grant.
• 1 204 food parcels distributed.
• 28 community caregivers received monthly stipends.
• 5 community caregivers received stipends for the first time.
• 28 community caregivers received skills training.
• 7 male community caregivers available.
• 26 youth community caregivers available.
• A total of 3 542 beneficiaries reached during the financial year.