2023 saw huge growth for Johannesburg Homelessness Network

“We have been able to get a number of our beneficiaries, more than 65 to date, onto the first rung of the employment ladder through the Presidents Employment Stimulus Programme,” said Mary Gillett-de Klerk from the Johannesburg Homelessness Network (JHN).

Through the Social Employment Fund, they have beneficiaries learning about urban vegetable gardening across four sites across the city. The sites range from Bertrams in the east to Rosebank and Craighall Park, Randburg and Alberts Farm in the west.

“It is amazing to see that by working just two days a week, how many people are sustainably turning their lives around.

“We have continued to operate our drop-in centre in Randburg and our weekly one at Alberts Farm.

“In addition, we have now started to use a monitoring and evaluation programme to demonstrate to ourselves and our funders how money is spent and what sort of change we are making.”

She added obtaining their Public Benefit Organisation status (Section 18A) in May this year had meant they could start fundraising in earnest.

“A very successful concert was held in Northcliff in November and we are super grateful to the organisers as well as to all our other donors.”

Gillett-de Klerk said going forward they would seek ‘significant funding to address the growing problem of homelessness’.

“At this time, please remember that it is hard for those on the streets without family and festivities. With the current economic challenges the numbers are growing and their stories are dire.

“Kindly consider donating to the JHN or other organisations serving the homeless.”

For more details or to get the bank account details, email joburghomelessnetwork@gmail.com or call 082 395 1268.

“We look forward to 2024 when finally, we at the JHN, can roll out far more sorely needed services to create a chain of services that enable the homeless to exit the streets sustainably.”