CAPE TOWN-About 30 enthusiastic walkers from the Joyce Chevalier Centre joined community supporters at Fish Hoek Beach on Tuesday 14 October for the organisation’s Annual Big Walk, a vital fundraiser for the centre’s operating costs.
The centre, officially registered as The Joyce Chevalier Centre Protective Workshop, has served adults with intellectual disabilities in Fish Hoek for five decades.
The walk drew visitors from across the province, including eight learners from Glint Academy, walkers from Harcourts Two Oceans, and numerous families and friends who raised funds through individual sponsorships.
It began on the restaurant side of Fish Hoek Beach, with guests covering distances from the 2 km trip to the turnaround point near Clovelly. Some experienced walkers covered 12 km.
Organisers ensured walkers maintained energy levels with sweets and water stations, while Harcourts Two Oceans provided ice lollies at the finish line.
The event allowed walkers to proceed at their own comfort level, accommodating various fitness abilities while maintaining the community spirit that characterises the annual fundraiser.
The centre thanked volunteers, sponsors, and corporate partners who made the event possible. Key supporters included Harcourts Two Oceans, The Write Shoppe, and Deep Blue Security, along with the management team at Fish Hoek Beach, said organiser Dr Catherine Pitt. “Community support makes this special community event possible every year,” organisers stated, highlighting the collaborative effort required for the fundraiser’s success.
Workers at the centre engage in contract work and manufacturing across various departments including sewing, beading, card making, woodwork, and baking.
This employment provides dignity and financial independence, allowing workers to contribute to household expenses and save for personal goals.
The centre employs a holistic approach, offering additional activities designed to develop skills and promote health among participants.
The organisation traces its origins to the early 1970s when Joyce Chevalier, who had a son with down syndrome, motivated other parents to join a support group focused on learning effective approaches to raising children with disabilities.
The current centre evolved from this initial parent support group, maintaining the founder’s vision of providing comprehensive services and community integration for adults with intellectual disabilities.
The annual walk represents one element of the centre’s fundraising efforts to maintain operations and continue serving the Fish Hoek community’s most vulnerable residents.
