We’re on a mission
To equip people with skills to overcome homelessness
Because we believe
“God made every person intrinsically valuable and no-one should have to sleep on the street.”
What’s the challenge?
Over 14,000
People are experiencing homelessness in Cape Town City alone.
Here’s why
Chronic Homelessness
- 50%
Chronic Health
- 85%
Suffer Addiction
- 64%
How we do it
OVER 25 YEARS
We have crafted an innovative skills based programme designed by a multidisciplinary team of Social workers, homeless support workers, Occupational therapists, counsellors, trainers and life coaches. The programme is Christian faith based, with long term results for rehabilitation and reintegration. Six months after graduating from the programme, more than 80% of participants remain sober and employed.
“WE EXIST TO CREATE AN EFFECTIVE LIFE CHANGE PATHWAY ACCESSIBLE TO EVERY PERSON EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS IN SOUTH AFRICA.”
OUR PHASED PROGRAMME
Starts with basic needs relief, like food and clothing, available at our First Phase Service Centre. It continues on to Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation Support, and finally culminates in a work-based learnership that lasts on average 19 months, called the “Life Change” programme, which nurtures an individual’s personal and vocational skills, as well as relapse prevention.
Journey
OUT OF HOMELESSNESS
The first phase of the U-turn Life Change Journey prepares people experiencing homelessness for change. This includes providing access to basic needs services such as meals, clothing and ablutions through the voucher system. It also includes daily change -readiness groups and individual case-management.
The second phase of the U-turn client journey exists to provide support to individuals who are in a therapeutic process at a partner rehabilitation. This is done by financial assistance for transport, placement and accommodation at a shelte. In addition to this the second phase provides a structured environment for client to volunteer in and ongoing Individual Case Management.
The third phase provides actual work experience through our social enterprises. It focuses on skills development that prepares Champions for graduation into the open labour market. Once a week, Champions attend personal development, group therapy and counselling. Case-managers coordinate the entire intervention programme, working in close-collaboration with the worksites and their managers.
The last phase of the U-turn Life Change Journey extends long after U-turn’s interventions. After completing the program graduates have access to the Graduate group for ongoing connection with peers and U-turn staff. This forms a healthy part of their ongoing support network and also created new relationships for new graduates stepping into a Life beyond Homelessness.