JOSH CEO relays the year at a glance

CEO of Johannesburg Organisation of Services to the Homeless (JOSH) Mary Gillett-de Klerk writes:

The National Homeless Network wrote to President Ramaphosa ahead of the lockdown requesting a special response to homelessness. He stated in his address of 23 March 2020 that the homeless would be provided with temporary shelter. JOSH with the help of the City of Joburg’s Department of Social Development set up the first temporary shelter in Randburg thus accommodating many of the clients of JOSH.

In April JOSH was instrumental in establishing the Johannesburg Homeless Task Team with the Johannesburg Homelessness Network, the City of Joburg and business forums to manage the huge problem of homelessness during the Covid-19 lockdown. JOSH has applied for numerous City-owned buildings and land where permanent shelters will be established. This process is proceeding, and it is hoped next year will see a roll out of such services.

JOSH also hosted the first meeting of NGOs across Gauteng in June 2020 serving the homeless. The NGOs met with the Gauteng Department of Social Development to help draft the first policy or strategy to address street homelessness in the province. This policy should be in place by early next year.

JOSH hosted an event on World Homeless Day on 10 October 2020 to honour those who have died and to further the cause of addressing homelessness. I was also part of the core team that organised the 4th National Conversation on Homelessness organised by the National Homeless Network. This took place from 4–5 November as a virtual event with 250 registered attendees.

Having to close the JOSH office in March due to Covid-19 lockdown rulings had a huge impact on the operations of JOSH – especially since its operations have had to continue on the streets and elsewhere.

The lack of securing shelter sites to date has also had a huge impact. Donations are piling up in church halls and pressure is on to move the items elsewhere and it also impacted our fundraising campaigns.

The heroes of JOSH are our volunteers, donors and the Christ Church in Blairgowrie (Rev Dave West and Gina Manson) who enabled us to resume services (soup kitchen, storage and counselling services) when we could during the lockdown.

Storage space for donations is urgently needed, such as free garage space. We also always needs men’s clothes especially, toiletries, blankets and dried goods. Shelters, skills centres, safe spaces – lots of them – so we can truly establish a chain of services and provide a continuum of care. To continue our work we also desperately need donations of money.

Details: Mary Gillett-de Klerk 082 395 1268/ 011 886 0025; email ceo.jobuurghomeless@gmail.com