- U-Turn Homeless Ministries in Kenilworth is appealing to employers to hire graduates of their four-phased skills development programme, which helps former homeless individuals become sober, employed, and housed.
- The programme equips participants with work skills and personal development, and U-Turn offers ongoing support to both employees and employers.
- The organisation aims to combat unemployment and poverty by providing opportunities for disadvantaged individuals.
Kenilworth’s U-Turn Homeless Ministries is appealing to “friendly” employers to be transparent and work with them to hire some of their former homeless clients who completed the organisation’s four-phased skills development programme.
In becoming a partner, you not only gain a U-Turn champion but it is their first step of employment away from U-Turn.
Carmen Dickenson, placement officer at U-Turn, says the programme helps the homeless to become sober, employed and able to secure formal accommodation.
“There are more than 14 000 people homeless in Cape Town, 65% of youth are unemployed with little to no skills. There is a significant poverty ratio and inequality, and the stigma towards persons who were previously homeless are some of the challenges we have to face daily. With the four-phased programme we are trying to help the homeless to be model citizens by helping them to get jobs. The typical responses to homelessness are not working. Their criminal records are counting against them even though they have attained rehabilitation to overcome it. We are trying with our programme to assist the homeless,” she says.
Ready for change
In phase one, the emphasis is on if the person is ready for change.
“U-turn runs 14 charity shops, a plant nursery business construction business, IT worksite where clients work to gain on-the-job training and continue in therapy. If you have a love for gardening or are computer literate, we’ll give you a chance at our businesses to help you do the things you love. We provide work opportunities, training on work skills and personal development. When I am talking about therapy, it means counselling and case management.
“In phase four, after the client graduated, we help them get a job on the open market, maintain sobriety and find formal accommodation as part of our aftercare service,” she says.
“If they noted that your business has a vision to contribute back to society and underprivileged persons while combating unemployment.
‘Extensive rehabilitation’
“What better way to do this with the help of U-Turn and we’ll contact the employers and ask them to assist in a transparent and supported way. Clients that reach the end of our programme have had extensive rehabilitation into their behaviour, recovery and work skills. They’ll contact friendly employers and ask for assistance. Our clients are more than equipped to show you the best of themselves in the work environment after they’ve completed the four phases,” she says.
“Our life coaches and I, as the placement officer, would like to extend our skills to assist the employee in transitioning into the workspace at no cost to you as the employer. Assisting the client with personal or admin-related issues can and will be handled by our team at the discretion of what would be suitable for you and your business. Our U-Turn champions form part of the journey towards graduation of the champion by providing open labour work opportunities within the structure of an internship or permanent employment, supported by both U-Turn as well as the Friendly Employer,” Dickenson says.
U-Turn also supports the trainee and employer with the help of the monthly support group and vocational skills group.
“We do individual follow-ups with the life coach, the employer and the employee and if social issues affect the client’s work we have emergency interventions. This can be done once bi-weekly or on a monthly basis on a suitable day on site or telephonically. We offer other services as well and if any skills of the employee need to be worked on, they can phone me. The public can also assist us by donating clothes and accessories to U-Turn Ministries for when our clients have to go for job interviews. Businesses can also have a bin at their offices for said donations and let us know when to collect,” Dickenson says.
For details contact Dickenson on 084 381 6334.
