With winter fast approaching, the Pride Shelter Trust, the country’s only LGBTQIA+ shelter, is in desperate need of funds for repairs to their building.
The shelter based in Oranjezicht is a non-profit organisation (NPO) that provides a safe space to the LGBTQIA+ community.
The NPO, established in 2011, provides psycho-social support, meals, empowerment workshops and shared resources on site.
Nicole Alexander, director of the trust, says they need about R80 000 to fix the roof and broken windows, among other things.
“The building is leased from the City of Cape Town. It is one of the Heritage buildings owned by the City. However, the infrastructure is in need of urgent upgrading and tender love and care. The funds raised will go towards the leaking in the dorms where the residents sleep. The kitchen area needs a fresh coat of paint, including the food pantry,” Alexander says.
She adds they urgently need painting, scaffolding, electrical maintenance, plumbing, roof fixing, and other minor repairs for all the dorms.
Like many other institutions, the facility was hard hit by the Covid-19 pandemic.
“We have been trying to stay afloat with the resources received. Even though there is a R35 per day fee for residents, many of them are not able to afford this due to unemployment. As a result the shelter needs to explore other avenues to cover these operating costs.”
The facility accommodates 20 who can stay for a period of three months.
During their stay, residents participate in various developmental programmes, interventions like psycho-social support services, personal development and leadership, gender-based violence support services, job- readiness, nutritional health, and physical wellness.
She says they also work towards their re-integration into society.
“Our success rate of about 80% of LGBTQIA+ means residents have gone back to family structures or created their own self sustainable journey in society. This indicates that our model is working, and our intended vision and mission should be incorporated into other shelter environments.”
She says one of their major challenges is insufficient space to accommodate more LGBTQIA+ individuals in crisis.
“Of recent, we discovered that there has been a huge challenge and a need for LGBTQIA+ youth safe spaces. Pride Shelter, unfortunately, offers space for 18 years and older, because there are other crucial factors to take into consideration based on the Children’s Act and for Social Services (government) needs to step in.”
According to Alexander, they are constantly faced with referrals from other shelters who are not able to accommodate the LGBTQIA+ community.
“You would think that during these times, organisations and institutions would be open to accommodating the LGBTQIA+ sector. However, you can understand the various dynamics and adjustments that need to be taken into consideration. This is not a walk-in-the-park sector and you need to be constantly aware of the complexities within the LGBTQIA+ community.”
Alexander says, as an NPO, they are always in need of donations.
“We solely depend on volunteers. Individuals who would like to cook a meal for the residents or even offer specific skills that they could transfer to the residents as part of their skills development. In addition, volunteers who have specific artisan skills that can assist with plumbing, electrical or painting. For the donations drive, we welcome donations of food, toiletries, blankets or clothes.”
Alexander says they have set up a crowd funding campaign to help reach their target.
- To donate, visit https://www.backabuddy.co.za/champion/project/colormyworld-lgbtqi-sa-shelter
