CEO bids farewell to Cresset House

Cresset House is a residential and work facility for adults with intellectual disability based in Glen Austin, and Van Schaardenburgh has decided to retire from active service after being CEO of the home for five-and-a-half years.

“Cresset House is in my blood, I can’t just walk away and forget about it, it will always be a part of me,” said Van Schaardenburgh. She is not saying goodbye, but rather farewell as she will still dabble in community outreach programmes. Extending a helping hand to the surrounding community in outreach projects is something Van Schaardenburgh worked hard at during her time at Cresset House. One of these outreach projects was the Khanya Satellite Workshop in Thembisa which provides occupational activities for 10 young adults, aged 19 to 21, with intellectual disabilities in the township.

Van Schaardenburgh hopes Cresset House will continue to grow its community outreach projects, and receive exposure and support from the community and business sector.

She is confident that the new CEO, Merilyn Pick will continue to build momentum for Cresset House.

Over the past three months, Van Schaardenburgh has been guiding Pick in a supportive management role to ensure a smooth transition of management, but working together was not too foreign for the two colleagues who previously worked together, although in different departments, at Girls and Boys Town.

Pick, who has a social work background, shares Van Schaardenburgh’s enthusiasm in community outreach projects.

“It is so much easier to take over from someone who has set a firm structure in place, and it has been so helpful having Elrina guide me through the dos and don’ts,” Pick said. Van Schaardenburgh said she was “very pleased and confident” that Pick would take the home to new heights.

“I have written my chapter and it is now time for Merilyn to write the next one,” said Van Schaardenburgh.

She leaves the home with many fond memories, including the lesson she learnt from Cresset House residents which is to live for the moment. Van Schaardenburgh and Pick agreed that their work in serving others was heart-warming, and Van Schaardenburgh said a quote by philosopher Albert Schweitzer applied to how she felt about her service at Cresset House: “I don’t know what your destiny will be, but one thing I know; the only ones among you who will be really happy are those who will have sought and found how to serve.”