Josh wants to change your mindset toward the homeless

Johannesburg Organisation of Services to the Homeless (Josh) was established by Mary Gillet-de Klerk about three years ago to give the homeless a chance to get off the streets and into the working environment.

Gillett-de Klerk, who has a background in social work, said that she was inspired by the works of Anne Mahlum, an entrepreneur, public speaker and founder of Back on My Feet and organisations like A2B, to start something in her neighbourhood that would better the lives of everyone and not just particular groups of people. She further explained that there are three types of homeless people: the rough sleepers, who sleep on river banks and look for piece jobs; the street sleepers, who are your typical homeless with no home and lastly, the almost homeless who stay with someone and have no homes but are looking for work.

“I saw a problem in the word ‘vagrant’ and saw it as a derogatory term – they should rather be referred to as homeless,” said Gillett-de Klerk.

She further explained that because of her background in social work she was able to recognise what their problems were and work to find the appropriate solution to their struggles. She went on to say that she then approached a group of skilled professionals to form part of the Josh Board of Directors who would support the aims of the organisation.

Gillett-de Klerk also came up with a novel idea that passed its pilot test run. This idea is called the Josh voucher, where people would purchase a bunch of vouchers from their petrol station for instance and then hand one voucher to a homeless person they see on the streets instead of money. This, she said would enable them to get counselling and other services they might require.

“We cannot just sit and moan, we have to do something to change the conversation,” said Gillet-de Klerk. “We need to see people as assets and not liabilities.”

The organisation’s office is located at Randburg Methodist Church in Ferndale and it welcomes donations and is seeking volunteers.

Details: Josh, 082 395 1268.

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