Project Napier was successfully completed - R1.2 Million was raised!

Project Napier has been completed at our Napier Street Shelter. Through the great generosity of our donors who came on board for this project, we are happy to report that we raised R1.2 million for the project. Most of the donated funds were from the Mayors Fund and Thinkst Applied Research. We were then able to achieve our goal of adding sixty additional beds to our shelter and built a new administrative block in the carpark. We are very grateful to all those who partnered with us on this project. City of Cape Town Mayor, Geordin Hill-Lewis, attended the opening ceremony which was held on Wednesday, 20 September 2023. Many thanks to all who attended.

The Haven will continue the work of creating extra (permanent) bedspaces at various shelters. We have started working on Project Wynberg and Project Claremont and we are currently working on plans for family shelters close to our District Six shelter since we are finding more and more family units resorting to the streets due to unemployment.  If you would like to contribute towards these fundraising initiatives, please feel free to connect with us or follow us on social media for more information!


Mandela Day Letter - Kalk Bay

Dear Kalk Bay Community,

 

On this special Mandela Day, our hearts were filled with pride and warmth as we gathered outside The Kalk Bay Haven to pay homage to the legendary Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, lovingly known as Madiba. Despite the gloomy weather, our spirits shone brightly as we united to make a meaningful impact and strengthen the bond with our shelter and the greater community.

 

The Double My R100 Drive

The day kicked off with a powerful initiative - The Double My R100 Drive. As some of our clients attended their various programs, our team, led by our dedicated hosts, social workers, and manager, ventured out with awareness banners to share the shelter's mission with the community.

 

At first, there was a hint of hesitation among our clients, but as the day progressed, the community rallied behind us. Smiles, waves, donations, and hooting cars filled the air, demonstrating the incredible support and compassion of our fellow residents. The drive showcased the true power of coming together, breaking down barriers, and embracing unity.

 

A Day Filled with Heartwarming Gestures

The magic of the day continued with heartwarming gestures from our incredible community. Vanessa from Harbor House kindly provided a hake parcel, offering a warm meal to everyone at the shelter, fostering a sense of togetherness and joy among us.

 

Another group that touched our hearts was the students from False Bay College TVET, Fish Hoek Campus, led by Ms. King and Mr. J du Plessis. Their visit sparked an interest in the shelter's daily activities, and they decided to organise a blanket drive to support our cause. Witnessing their kindness firsthand reaffirmed the impact of reaching out and supporting those in need. During a closing prayer, one student’s compassion was clearly visible as the tears overwhelmed her.

 

The Innocent Power of Compassion

Among the visitors, one young soul left a profound impact on us all. An 8-year-old girl approached the entrance gate with a bag of peanut butter sandwiches she had lovingly prepared. Her sincere desire to share with those less fortunate touched our hearts deeply, reminding us of the immense power even the smallest acts of kindness hold.

 

A Generous Community

Throughout the day, the generosity of our community shone brightly. Amy and Belinda together with two young boys delivered clothes, Bevan's donation of towels, Liz's extra blankets, and the naartjies from the Muizenberg Community Kitchen all contributed to the atmosphere of unity and support.

 

Thank You, Kalk Bay!

(This article was written by Quintin Ellis, one of our talented clients.)

 

The origin of the Haven - Our Story

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The origin of The Haven. In February 1975 a group of NICRO Social Workers were having their morning tea break in their offices in Harrington Street. One of the Social Workers was married to a doctor. This doctor the previous night was working in Casualty at Groote Schuur Hospital. The Social Worker was telling the other Social Workers that her husband and the other doctors on duty were puzzling over a man who had been found in Roeland Street and had grass stuffed down his throat. He was dying, was he dying from suffocation or from hunger?

The other Social Workers were listening to this story with growing shock and dismay. They were very distressed by what they heard.

Those were the days when a group of criminals were destroying the prettiest and most ancient part of Cape Town - District 6. Hundreds of people were being rendered homeless by this act of vandalism. People who lived in the back yards of the residents of District Six. People who had been given space in houses in District 6 but were not legal owners or tenants. All of these marginal residents were now homeless and living on the streets. Harrington Street was on the border of all this chaos.

These NICRO Social Workers were incensed and galvanised into action. They were determined to find out how someone could die around the corner from them in such terrible circumstances. They wanted to find out the size of the problem. They got out onto the streets with their questionnaires. The results were horrifying. Within a very small area they found hundreds of people clinging to the edges of District 6, bewildered, confused, malnourished and afraid. Living behind dustbins, in alleyways, under cars and in the entrances to shops.

These NICRO social workers were determined to make a difference. They wanted to alert Capetonians to this terrible tragedy. Some took a film on homelessness around the community halls of Cape Town, Mowbray, Wynberg, Sea Point etc to get support. Others starting looking for a building to shelter these refugees from District 6, others started negotiating with government for a licence.

The result of all this activity was the opening of the NICRO Night Shelter in Harrington St in January 1976. Two of these NICRO Social Workers used to attend a church service held in this very church every Friday at lunch time. Fr Roger Hickley was the parish priest of this church at the time and lived next door alone, in a large empty building which used to be a primary school and convent. Another victim of the Group Areas Act. The Social Workers would have a cup of tea with Fr Rodger after the service and keep him up to date with the NICRO Night Shelter campaign.

The Opening of The Haven Night Shelter

Within a short period of time Fr Roger Hickley and Sam Gross formed a partnership, launched the Haven Night Shelter and opened a Night Shelter next door.

Now, what is the thread that connects the NICRO Social Workers to Fr Rodger a Catholic priest to Sam Gross a Jewish lawyer? Indeed what is the thread that connects all of us together in this church to-day? 

I believe it is the virtue of KINDNESS. Kindness to the stranger, the poor, the vulnerable in our communities, a practical sort of kindness, a kindness that says let’s “do something” simple, effective and long lasting.

Kindness has a poor reputation

Now ‘kindness’ has a poor reputation and the Art of Kindness is very underrated and is often linked with the word ‘good’, ‘do good’, ‘be good’. These words have a child like quality. We say to children sentences like “That wasn’t very kind” or “You must be kind to your sister”. Yet this is to underestimate the value and power of these words.

 I believe that there is something deeply important about kindness and goodness which we frequently overlook. Stefan Einhorn a Swedish author, says “ A kind person carries within their consciousness a constant concern for their fellow human beings.....the kind person has realised that what we do to our fellows we also do for ourselves.”

The American Poet and Author Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote “It is one of the beautiful compensations of life that no man can sincerely try to help another without helping himself”.

It’s time for a paradigm shift in the way we view ourselves as kind people and it comes to this. “Be kind to others and you will reap rewards for yourself”. Or as James Freeman Clarke put it “do good, and you will find that happiness will run after you”.

Kindness has the power to transform the world.

Wasi Mohammed the Executive Director of the Islamic Centre in Pittsburg spoke at a gathering to mourn the 11 Jewish souls recently murdered in their Synagogue. He announced that the Muslim community had raised $190 000 to contribute to the funerals and medical expenses of the victims. He offered the protection of the Muslim community at Jewish services by standing outside their synagogues.

It all starts with kindness. Kindness can change the world and Wasi Mohammed is proving that against all the odds.

The Haven reflects brilliantly the quality of kindness of the communities of the Western Cape. You have a proud record and I congratulate you Madam Chair and hope that in the years ahead the Haven will flourish and expand until there are no more homeless people living rough on the streets of our towns and villages.

One last thought. Perhaps that poor man who died in agony in Roeland St while eating the grass on the side of the road did not die in vain. His death set in motion a chain of events which brings us here to-day and perhaps he should be considered the true founder of the Haven Night Shelter movement in the Western Cape. A movement for the homeless, started by a homeless man, sounds good to me. Thank you.

Speech delivered by Mr Peter Templeton at the Haven AGM 2018.

Out of the bottle, back to a job, home and family.

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Haven Bellville Success story

Mr. Smith*(name changed), had been homeless as a youth and lived on the streets for a long time. He applied at the Haven Bellville on 24/01/2020 showing an eagerness to get back to his family. We welcomed him and began the Social Work intervention with an assessment. With good co-operation on his part a personal development plan was completed on 30/01/2020. He completed all the agreed programs and activities as per his PDP and returned home on the 5th October 2020 a new man with a new plan for his life.

His abuse of alcohol had contributed to this father of 3 with 1 on the way to be separated from his family, making him homeless again. He really worked on changing and after completing the substance abuse program at Sultan Bahu he attended the anger management program at the Haven. Individual sessions were provided by the Haven Social Worker and he also participated in the change program offered by TB/HIV care. The next step in his personal development plan called for his participation in the parenting program, which he tackled enthusiastically.

When he was work ready he started looking for work as a handyman as he is has experience in plumbing, gardening and roofing.  Work etiquette skills were provided to ensure that Mr. Client will present himself well when searching for work. Family contact was made and Mr. Client started visiting his family on a weekly basis.

He is currently on a WhatsApp support group. He also started a support group in Delft. His willingness to work on himself and sticking to his personal development plan work out for the best. Mr Smith is employed and he was reunified with his family.

The reason why some kids become homeless adults

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Runaway – back to a caring Grandmother and planning to be primary school teacher.

Sarah*, a young 16 years old schoolgirl was brought to the Haven Wynberg on 19 July 2020 by officers of the Wynberg Police Station. She appeared to be lost and confused.

She related that she was struggling to deal with the conflict in the family as well as her personal behavioural challenges. We tried to contact her family as she is a minor. Her mother was discovered to be in a Haven shelter. Her brother, also homeless, was sleeping in a safe space in the City of Cape Town. Sarah was living with her granny outside the Cape Town area. Due to Covid-19 she was all alone at home during the day and idle. Her relationship with her granny deteriorated and she became unhappy and yearning to see her mother. Sarah stole money and ran away from home to look for her mother in Cape Town.

After intensive sessions with the Haven Social Worker a Personal Development Plan (PDP) was agreed on, divided into three sections viz.

 a)  Short term- Looking for her mother and brother, whom we quickly located and referring her to Badisa since she was minor.  She refused to go to the children’s home as was suggested by Badisa. In collaboration with Badisa, the child, her mother and the Haven Social Worker agreed that she would be allowed to remain in the shelter for few days until we could contact her granny.

 b)  Medium-term- Going back home process:  Her mother was co-operating and we could communicate with Sarah’s granny, who was shocked that she was in Cape Town. She readily agreed to take Sarah back. To help make the reunification sustainable, Sarah attended the in-house life skills program and an online anger management course. After the telephonic reunification agreement was concluded with the granny, the Haven Wynberg supported Sarah with transport arrangement and costs to complete her reunification on the 24th July 2020.

 c) Long term –Completion of her education: Sarah agreed to go back home and committed to continue with her education. She wants to become a primary school teacher when she completes her matric.

We are grateful that we could help her back on track and reunited with a caring Grandmother. The outcome for this “runaway” could have been so different. Some kids are not that “lucky” and become homeless adults!

Thank you for assisting the Haven to help homeless people back to a home, family and community.

Homelessness and "houselessness"

Introduction

We have been asking some questions about homelessness, houselessness and the role of The Haven. In this blog post our CEO explains a bit more. Take a couple of minutes to read it and a bit more to reflect and think about the text. Homelessness and "houselessness" are two different issues and need to be separated if we are to assist in either one.

Houselessness

Houselessness is a condition of a family, however defined, without a structure wherein they can experience life as a family. A house is what is needed. One or more of the family members are working and together they can and are willing to care for each other. A typical case would be a family evicted from someone else's property. They might slip into homelessness if enabled to move onto a pavement in a tent and provided with material support by kind neighbours.

Another example would be migrant workers whose family life is mutually supportive but the individual goes to another city to look for work. On arrival the person is not homeless, s/he simply needs accommodation. We can prevent him from becoming homeless by offering shelter while he looks for work. Whether s/he is successful in finding work or not will determine what support is needed to help her to reintegrate locally or reunify with family. Options are explored with the help of Haven Social Workers when constructing or reviewing the mandatory Personal Development Plan with the client.

Homelessness

Homelessness on the other hand is characterised by a person feeling unwelcome in the family home or feeling that they would not be welcomed or assisted by relatives. In our experience more homeless persons leave home rather than having been pushed out.

Typically young people abusing drugs are pushed out in a "tough love approach". However, their families are generally willing to give them a second chance provided they are willing to conform to the family's norms and standards. These are the easier cases to reunify, especially if the client see that they have the power to make different choices and attract different outcomes. Once a client is committed to changing we see remarkable strength on display on their journey home, after participating in drug rehabilitation, conflict resolution and other programs.

Mentally ill persons, on the other hand, leave of their own accord due to feeling unwelcome. They require more support to stabilise, find their psychological balance and then, when ready, reach out to family.
If they stay too long in a shelter they might become institutionalised and regard the shelter as their home instead of a bus-stop on their way home. If they leave the shelter too soon they come back due to the same behaviour. Fortunately, they have access to qualified, experienced social workers at the Haven to help them overcome or manage their particular behaviours that leads to homelessness.

Backyard dwellers, affordable housing

Backyard dwellers are not necessarily homeless. They require affordable housing and perhaps even a steady income to be able to afford the housing unit. In Cape Town we need nearly 400,000 social housing units. We do have social housing units being occupied by people who earn enough to move but chooses to stay in the community in which they grew up in. It is often cheaper than moving into rental units or purchasing starter homes or apartments.

  1. Perhaps we should be working on 3 fronts to help the backyard dwellers.
    Build more social housing units, faster.

  2. Free up social housing units occupied by people earning enough money to be able to move out on their own.

  3. Encourage and financially support more people to buy starter apartments. In Wynberg main road one can buy a small flat which will cost R4000 per month on a 20 year bond. I believe that with the abuse of the PIE act no-one really wants to be a landlord. Encouraging people to buy seems a good alternative to waiting for state provided social housing.

Conclusion

In conclusion we at the Haven shelters are not a housing agency and we don't provide jobs. At the Haven we offer qualifying applicants an opportunity to use our social work services to end their homelessness. While working on the elements of the Personal Development Plan we make available a full hospitality and support service to our guests and clients. Guests don't have to pay the Haven if they don't have any money. Guests become clients as soon as they agree on a Personal Development Plan and the Social Work support needed. From that moment s/he should pay the Haven at least R15 per day or one hour of household chores per day in lieu of payment.

We at the Haven are grateful for the support from our community and in turn share all excess goods with the community. We prefer to share with NGO's but will also help families in distress or the other social workers.

How Facebook helps homeless people

A 22 year old young women was taken into the shelter in June 2020 after being on the streets for 18 months. She originally came from Johannesburg to work in Cape Town. When she arrived in Cape Town she was told that the accommodation and the job she came for was taken by someone else.

Feeling lost in Cape Town

She did not know anyone in Cape Town and felt lost. Down on her luck she still had to endure being robbed of her phone and could not make contact with any of her family in Johannesburg. She ended being on the streets. 18 months later, after much difficulty, she found her way to DSD who referred her to the Haven Night Shelter- Kensington.

Via Facebook connecting with family again

During her stay at the shelter she did some domestic work in the area and then bought herself a cheap phone that will allow her to go onto Facebook. She registered on Facebook and started communicating with her family in Johannesburg letting them know about her whereabouts.  She was not even sure if her parents are still alive, because when she left Johannesburg her mom was very ill. One of her family members noticed the Facebook page and made contact with her. Sadly she was informed that her mom has passed about 6 months ago but her dad is in the Western Cape and lives in the West Coast. She got the contact details from her dad from the family member and one Saturday morning early in July 2020 her dad and her older sister came to fetch her to live with them in Langebaan.

Thanks to the work of DSD and Haven Kensington this young woman was helped back to a home, family and community. Have a blessed Christmas!

Determined to walk again

From hospital back home via the Haven Ceres.

Mr Adams* came to the Haven Night Shelter – Ceres on 30/11/2019 after having been discharged from the hospital following a severe assault on him which left him with severe damage to his head, difficulty speaking and struggling to walk.

Nine months later on the 11/09/2020 his sister took him home to a Farm in Ceres.    

Due to injuries sustained it took a while to complete the assessment and a personal developmental plan. However, Mr Adams was determined to walk again and diligently followed the exercise regime agreed to and steadily made progress.  

We had difficulty tracing his family.  However, the family was searching for him since his discharged from the hospital. In June 2020 a detective accompanied by his sister enquired about him at the shelter relating to the assault that he had suffered. This was the break needed to work on his reunification.

Individual and family sessions were conducted by the Haven Social Worker leading to his sister seeking permission from her employer for him to come and stay with her. On the 11/09/2020 was a happy day for us when his sister came to the shelter to fetch her brother to come and live with her. He was able to access the Disability Grant due to the disabling injuries sustained. A follow up visit by the Haven Social Worker confirmed that Mr Adams* is coping and doing well. We wish him and his family well. (*name changed).

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4 years on the streets

Mr. Zee (name changed) was referred to the Haven by the Claremont Improvement Districts, Security Officer on 19/10/2020.

He had been living on the streets for 4 years. During a one on one session with the Social Worker he disclosed that he had family in Port Elizabeth. He expressed the desire to be reunited with his family in PE and this goal was incorporated in his personal development plan (PDP).

He participated in the programs offered and through the family outreach and support programs he was soon ready to be reunited.  His family was also.

On 16/12/2020 the client was picked up by the Taxi to transport him to Port Elizbeth. The next morning his family called to inform us that he had arrived home safely. The Social Auxiliary Worker will be in contact with him should he need any assistance. 

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Ali’s story

He’s a young man in his early 30’s. Mild-mannered and described as ‘a totally likeable, helpful guy’. A married man, father of two daughters aged five and three. He had a good job as a business consultant in a call centre, and was providing adequately for his family. He wanted only the best for his wife and children and saw a good future for them.

Drowning in debt

Three years ago, it all changed for Ali * (32), when he started to take out micro loans in an effort to finance the arrival of his second daughter. There were many loans and the repayments soon became massive. Just before he lost his job, his entire salary was servicing his debts every month.

“When you have a steady income and a good credit record, all the banks want to lend you money,” he says, “I was receiving numerous text messages on a daily basis offering me large sums. I made the mistake of accepting the offers, without taking into account my ability to repay them.”

Ali’s wife and family were unaware of the financial trouble he was in. The stress of the repayments and keeping the secret took their toll on him. A naturally strapping fellow, he soon became thin and gaunt. Everyone assumed substance abuse was the reason for his rapid weight loss and the change in his temperament.

“I told no-one about the trouble I was in – neither my wife, father, nor my two brothers.” It was when he lost his job that things really turned for the worst. “My wife assumed I had been dismissed as a result of drugs. Then I eventually owned up about the debts I had incurred. It was the last straw for her”. In September 2016, Ali’s wife asked him to leave the house, and he complied.

“I’m not an addict”

“I didn’t know where to turn. I didn’t have the courage to talk to my father and brothers. I was too proud, and ashamed at the same time.” For three months, Ali roamed the streets, sleeping in parks and the waiting room of the day hospital; scrounging for food where he could. Eventually, he mustered the courage to contact his dad, who called on Ali’s brother to assist. They contacted The Haven in Bellville, which works closely with a drug rehab facility in Bonteheuwel. Ali remembers his first thoughts when he walked into The Haven, and immediately being struck by how ‘normal’ and ‘decent’ the Haven residents looked.

“There were people who I would never have expected to see in a homeless shelter”, he says. “Many are well-spoken and educated. But looking back now, I’m not sure what I expected. All I know is the staff instantly made me feel welcome. The manager and social worker both reassured me that I was in a safe space and that they would do whatever possible to help me get back to my life.”

Shortly thereafter, Ali enrolled in a drug rehabilitation program to the surprise of the counsellors and practitioners who worked in the facility. After numerous random tests, they could not find any trace of drugs, confirming that he wasn’t a drug addict. When pressed for a reason that he enrolled in the drug rehabilitation program Ali responds “Though I wasn’t on drugs, I didn’t deny the accusation. I thought my family wouldn’t believe me anyway – as most drug users deny they are addicts, so I went along with it and proved them wrong!”

Cooking up a storm

Ali went back to The Haven and so began his journey back to his life. Days after his arrival he decided that moping around was not going to help his cause. He volunteered to do chores around The Haven and soon found his niche in the kitchen. Ali chuckles as he remembers his first days as a Haven chef.

“My mother had no daughters to pass her recipes on to, so my brothers and I were taught to cook and bake from an early age. But I had to figure out ingredients in large quantities at The Haven. It is very different cooking for 60 people when you have been cooking for four your whole life!”           

From the pot to the wheel

Whatever task was asked of Ali was executed with dedication and commitment.  The management team at The Haven noticed his potential, his sense of responsibility and diligence. One day there was an urgent need for a driver to collect food donations from pick-up points in the area. The usual driver was off for the day. Ali was called on to fill in.

“The manager grilled me about whether I had a driving license, and if I was prone to getting speeding tickets”, laughs Ali.  Within days he became the regular driver at The Haven. “I was happy to be earning my keep at The Haven. I had stopped feeling worthless, and my new colleagues made me feel part of the team, like I had something unique to offer, even if it was just driving.”

On a personal level, Ali continued sessions with the social worker at The Haven. He had gained immense value from the advice and tools that she was teaching him, to help him cope with stress and depression.

Getting real

“The part of this journey that I am most grateful for is what I have learned at The Haven through the social worker. Most importantly, she encouraged me to open up to people about my feelings – not to keep things inside. This was a huge step for me, as I never let people know how I felt. Not even my wife really knew my feelings about anything.”

The social worker also taught Ali about journaling – writing down his thoughts and feelings when they became too difficult to deal with. He learned to embrace his mistakes; to own them and learn from them. 

“For the first time I am living my truth. It took an enormous, unpleasant, distressing life experience, to get me to the point of truth. In my community, we are taught to cover up mistakes, and hide them for fear of bringing shame on yourself and your family. But that’s like living in denial. Everyone has a problem or makes a mistake. It’s about opening up and dealing with what’s really happening. That’s what I will take away from the past two years. Stick to the truth and keep it real.” 

A hand up

Ali always knew that The Haven was not going to be a permanent address.

“The Haven was a stepping stone for which I will always be profoundly grateful, but I was not planning to stay indefinitely.  It was my desire to get a job and a place of my own, and somehow get my family back.” Ali’s wife had changed her phone number and had moved away with their children. He had no idea where they were. She and his family had lost contact. They all believed that Ali was on drugs. He knew that if he had any chance of a reconciliation he would need to become independent, build up his confidence, and start building his life.

A way out

“Unexpectedly in July 2017, I was called into the manager’s office, and immediately I thought that maybe I had received a speeding ticket, and that I was in some sort of trouble because of it.”

He remembers his anxiety as he sat down. “Imagine my relief and delight when the reason for the meeting was to offer me a job!” The Haven needed a relief host at the weekend. It would mean working through the night at different shelters when the day hosts went off-duty. “It meant working night shifts, but that did not bother me”, he says. “All I could think was that this was the big break I needed to get my life back on track.”

A new place to call home

It was very soon thereafter that Ali managed to rent a small flat for himself, and was able to EXIT The Haven.

“By the grace of God, my future looks bright for the first time in so long. I eventually made contact with my wife who had thought I was dead. It was very emotional making that first call to her. I wasn’t sure if she ever wanted to see me again, and if she had perhaps moved on with her life. I’m happy to say that she agreed to see me. There is constant contact between us, and I love being back in my kids’ lives. At the moment, we are looking for a place to live together.”

When asked about the relationship with his father and brothers, Ali thinks for a moment. “I have made peace with my family and I have forgiven them. I want them to be happy, as I move forward and make a new life with my wife and children. As for my work here at The Haven, I have found my purpose. This is where I am meant to be. I want to help others as I have been helped by this organisation. The Haven truly has changed my life.”