GEORGE NEWS - A holistic and co-operative approach involving all key government departments and NPOs could see George's homelessness situation all but resolved within three years.
This, according to the Christian Rehabilitation Ministries to the Homeless in George's (Cremhog) general manager, André Olivier, who has dedicated the last 15 years of his life to reintegrating homeless people back into society.
He estimates there to be between 150 and 200 homeless people in George - a drop in the ocean compared with Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg, where the estimated count ranges between 14 000 and 20 000.
Olivier outlines a four-prong approach. The first element, he says, is early intervention. He said the Department of Social Development should appoint a dedicated social worker to rapidly intervene when people first become homeless.
The second step would be to establish safe spaces similar to those implemented by the City of Cape Town to address the shortage of shelter space.
According to the City of Cape Town's website, it has five safe spaces that provide basic overnight accommodation, access to ablution facilities and secure storage lockers for personal belongings.
Each person also receives an wellness pack containing hygiene essentials as well as a refreshment pack containing sugar, milk, coffee and tea. Olivier said establishing similar safe spaces in George would eliminate the need for homeless people to camp out on Morris and other so-called 'problem streets'.
The third tier Olivier recommends is social services working on the streets in co-operation with NGOs able to offer the variety of services people might need to get off the streets.
The fourth element, he said, was investment in social rehabilitation programmes similar to that offered at the Ithemba Centre that work towards reintegrating homeless people back into society
Unfortunately, he said, when it comes to affordable psychiatric and drug rehabilitation services for people who need more than what the above mentioned role-players are equipped to offer, George falls dismally short.
Reintegration, not a quick fix
Cremhog operates the Ithemba Centre in George Central, which, through a multifaceted six-month programme, works toward the social reintegration of homeless individuals.
Heavily reliant on volunteers and donations from churches and community members, it starts with serving about 90 meals a day, six days a week, to the homeless people in George.
In addition to consistently meeting a basic need for food, the feeding regime also serves as a point of contact for getting to know the homeless and identifying those who can be helped off the streets through the reintegration programme.
The criteria is strict. Candidates must have been homeless for at least two years, must not have any active criminal cases against them and cannot have a history of violence.
They must also admit to having a drug problem if they have one, and agree to participating in all aspects of the programme.
"This is not just a Band-Aid. Ithemba is not an overnight shelter," Olivier said.
Able to optimally accommodate 12 men and two women on a full board and lodging basis, the centre has two intakes per year. At the end of the six-month period, residents are ideally reunited with family or significant others and equipped to transition to independent living.
While Ithemba is not a rehabilitation facility, the first month sees residents go into a detox lockdown to get clean from drugs as far as possible.
Drug tests are also conducted at the George Clinic to evaluate the need for medication to assist with the detox.
Addressing physical, emotional and spiritual needs, the programme incorporates regular sessions with the South African National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (Sanca), a social worker and a trauma counsellor.
Residents also complete the Alpha course (a Christian evangelistic course) as well as a personal development course through Brightstar and a Work 4 A Living course that prepares them to join the workforce or start a business. In addition, residents are also evaluated by occupational therapists.
An internal rewards programme that sees residents awarded tokens redeemable for items such as chips, cooldrinks and cigarettes for completion of tasks and assignments, teaches them basic budgeting skills.
Olivier said those who succeed leave the programme miles away from where they started - clean and with their dignity restored.
He said Ithemba's 50% success rate far exceeded that of overnight shelters.
• Don't miss Deon Frans' powerful story of transformation in next week's edition. From the harsh streets of George to a hopeful new beginning, Frans shares his raw journey of survival, addiction and redemption after 29 years of homelessness.
Randall Segole, André Olivier and Chantelle de Bruin of the Ithemba Centre. ‘We bring you the latest Garden Route, Hessequa, Karoo news’
