The Open Door Crisis Care Centre shelters men, women and children from harm
A Pinetown NPO has been fighting for social justice for 25 years.
FOUNDER and director of the Open Door Crisis Care Centre, Thora Mansfield, says the organisation started from humble beginnings.
“We began at the back of the Anglican Church, with a borrowed computer and R100,” said Mansfield.
The ODCCC is celebrating their 25th anniversary this year, The organisation works in the greater Pinetown community, supporting men, women and families in crisis. Mansfield’s organisation is a non-profit, interdenominational outreach organisation which was established in 1997.
“We’ve assisted more than 400 000 people with counselling and psycho-metric services. We work in 10 townships on a weekly basis. The organisation has two shelters – one for abused women and the second for men in crisis and victims of trafficking. It has been the most amazing journey where we’ve seen people’s lives change. The priority is to bring healing and restoration,” said Mansfield.
“The aim of the Open Door is to provide a one-stop crisis and trauma centre which offers counselling, social services and support groups. Being able to make a difference in the lives of hurting people or families in our community is what inspires us to carry on – this is how we define success,” she says.
ALSO READ: Mariannhill SAPS commemorating Nelson Mandela Day
Speaking at yesterday’s Mandela Day event at Knowles Super Spar, store owner Roy Sheodin said that his business has had a relationship with Mansfield’s NPO for more that two decades.
“It’s amazing how Thora Mansfield works in the community, and it’s wonderful how the ODCCC looks after and uplifts people. We feel it is important for businesses to be involved with this community work, as together we can do much more,” said Sheodin.
Mansfield said that The ODCCC is thankful for the longstanding relationship with Knowles Super Spar and that they receive weekly donations of vegetables, and regular deliveries of baby nappies and formula from them.
In addition to their advocacy and prevention goals, and the counselling, support and training they offer, the NPO provides registered shelters for women, men, and children at undisclosed locations, to ensure the safety of their clients who might be at risk from perpetrators of violence.
Should you like to support the work of the ODCCC or if you need their services or know of someone who could benefit from their assistance, contact info@opendoor.org.za or 031-709 2679, or visit the office at 7 Windsor Road, Pinetown, 3610,
* Notice: Coronavirus reporting at Caxton Local Media aims to combat fake news
