GEORGE NEWS - The Community Development division that falls under the umbrella of the Corporate Services Directorate at George Municipality comprises different sections that assist the community by developing and implementing effective community-based projects and programmes, focusing on children and vulnerable adults.
Through the aforementioned programmes, the division strives to successfully address the social needs of the broader community of George and surrounding areas including Uniondale and Haarlem.
The subsections are Gender and Disability Development; Youth Development; HIV and Aids; Community Projects and a LGBTIQA help desk.
Projects
The Community Projects subsection is involved in Project Hope (people living on the street), early child development, disaster assistance, nutritional centres (soup kitchens), aftercare skills development, food gardens and pauper burial investigations.
The HIV and Aids section contributes toward a reduction in the prevalence of HIV and Aids in the George municipal area. The section creates awareness and education with door-to-door campaigns by distributing information about the disease.
They also do pamper sessions for affected and infected people and arrange that people get treatment and care through the correct channels.
This subsection is responsible for special events in different communities throughout the year, especially on Worlds Aids Day (1 December), Khomanani Day and International Candlelight Day.
The Youth Development subsection facilitates and co-ordinates the strengthening of youth issues within George. The section aims to empower young people to realise their full potential in making a meaningful contribution to South Africa. Youth issues that receive attention are job readiness and career opportunities.
The unit co-ordinates awareness events and career expos to assist job seekers. In addition, the officials assist the youth with online applications, CV formulation and more.
The Gender and Disability subsection aims to assist women and disabled people with developmental programmes to progress them into the mainstream for jobs, businesses, opportunities and more.
Disability awareness and skills development programmes are some of the ways the subsection assists its demographic.
A member of the public in his food garden that the Community Projects subsection assisted with.
The LGBTQIA+ Help Desk focuses on:
- One-on-one sessions with clients, scheduled with social workers. Clients receive psycho-social support and are referred where necessary
- Support groups meet monthly
- The help desk refers clients to safe spaces
- Assistance and referrals are given on human rights and treatments
- Education and awareness of rights and safe sex (sensitisation training and condom distribution)
- Community outreaches to assist members in need of advice or assistance
- Visibility in the community
- Special events that the help desk focuses on include: Pride Month in June, Human Rights Day, Freedom Day and World Aids Day.
Contact the Community Development Section on 044 802 2000 or visit the offices at the corner of Varing and St John's streets.
Ejustley Boshoff, co-ordinator of Gender and Disability Development, playing with two children during a developmental sports event.
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