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BUSINESS NEWS - Families going through divorce, separation, disputes involving children or the foster care system are often expected to navigate a complicated network of professionals at precisely the time when they may feel least equipped to do so.

The reality is that many families cannot afford to access all the professionals they need, sometimes contributing to less-than-ideal outcomes in an already difficult process.

It is this gap that inspired family law attorney and mediator Alida Gerber to establish Family Circle, a community initiative aimed at educating, connecting and supporting families through difficult transitions.

When a family enters the system, who helps them understand it?

Family disputes are rarely confined to one area of expertise. A family going through family disputes may encounter attorneys, mediators, counsellors, psychologists, the Office of the Family Advocate and other professionals.

For families, the challenge is often simply understanding who does what, when to approach who, what information is needed, how the different systems interact - and how the family itself can remain at the centre of the process while still navigating everyday life.

Bridging the gaps

Family Circle aims to create a space in which parents and families can access practical guidance and support through a range of platforms. This includes free educational content on social media and other community events, as well as more targeted webinars and in-person events that provide access to professionals with a wealth of knowledge and experience.

It is also about creating community, allowing families to connect with others who may be experiencing similar challenges.

According to Gerber, professionals need to rethink how they engage with families. “It is time that we start meeting families where they are at, and not where we think they should be. Because one of the biggest reasons that families do not ask for help is the shame and the guilt that they feel about their challenges. 

"A professional operating from the proverbial ivory tower and who creates more conflict becomes part of the problem and is not helping to resolve it.”

For Gerber, this vision is also personal. Alongside her professional experience in family law, her own lived experience of a traumatic divorce and co-parenting journey has given her a unique perspective on the challenges families face, and on how a system designed to help families can sometimes cause further harm.

More than a legal problem

One of the central ideas behind Family Circle is that a family should never be reduced to a file.

Behind every parenting dispute are children and two parents trying to navigate intense emotional, practical and financial pressures.

Behind every divorce is a family that still must survive everyday life and find a way to build a future.

Behind every foster care matter is a child and a network of adults trying to make important decisions in circumstances that may already be difficult and emotionally charged.

And behind every legal dispute are people who may need information, emotional support, professional guidance and practical resources.

Our system and the professionals operating within it unfortunately does not have the capacity to always do this. It is overburdened, inefficient and does not assist or even consider the day-to-day impact on families.

The launch of Family Circle comes at a significant time for Gerber, who has also been nominated for Voelgoed Media’s Inspirasievrou 2026.

The annual initiative recognises South African women whose contribution and care make a difference in the lives of others. Nominees are considered through a process that includes a public longlist and judging, with public voting taking place during Women’s Month.

For Gerber, the nomination is not about personal recognition. Rather, she sees it as part of a broader journey of turning personal and professional experiences into opportunities to serve her community and uplift and to advocate for those who are vulnerable.

Her work has increasingly moved beyond the traditional role of an attorney. She actively advocates for alternative dispute resolution in family matters and uses her social media platforms to educate her community, reaching more than one million views across platforms in just a few months.

Creating a circle of support

Ultimately, Family Circle is built around a simple belief: families should not have to navigate difficult seasons alone.

The name reflects the vision, a circle of people, professionals, organisations and communities surrounding families with knowledge, resources and support.

Because sometimes the answer is not another person telling a family what to do.

Sometimes the answer is simply helping them understand that they are not alone, and that there is hope, purpose and a future beyond a difficult season. 

Platforms:

• TikTok: @alidagerberfamilylaw
• @thefamilycircle_alidagerber
• Facebook: Alida Gerber- Divorce & Family Solutions
• The Family Circle, by Alida Gerber
• Instagram: @alidagerberfamilylaw
• @thefamilycircle_alidagerber
• Website: www.alidagerberlegal.com

Upcoming events: 

• Help! I’m a Mommy, in collaboration with social worker and play therapist, Tronel Van Rooyen
• Surviving Divorce, in collaboration with Narrative therapist and Relationship Coach, Dr. Nicholas Neaves

How can you get involved: 

• Email: [email protected]

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