New system to help the homeless
RANDBURG – plans linking soup kitchens, Randburg's first homeless shelter, job skills training, self-created work and cheap apartments move forward.
Plans for a new system of helping homeless people, formulated by Johannesburg Organisation of Services to the Homeless (Josh), are moving forward.
The new system aims to link homeless people to soup kitchens, Randburg’s first homeless shelter, job skills training, self-created work and cheap apartments.
The system would be very different from conventional aid, as homeless people would pay for food, shelter and job skills training, with the aim to decrease dependency and eventually achieve self-sufficiency with their own jobs and homes.
“Things are going very well,” said Mary Gillett-de Klerk, founder and CEO of the non-profit company, which has its headquarters in Ferndale.
She explained that the negotiations with Mintek to be given land next to Malibongwe Drive, Praegville, to construct the first homeless shelter in Randburg fell through, but that another entity had afterwards agreed to help acquire land for the construction.
More volunteers allegedly help at the company than when Gillet-de Klerk last spoke to Randburg Sun, about two months ago.
The company is also now active on Facebook and Twitter, and will soon launch a website.
Details: Johannesburg Organisation of Services to the Homeless info.joburghomeless@gmail.com
