Entities empower Alberton’s homeless
Various entities recently joined hands to introduce vital services for the homeless people in Alberton.
LOTS# Alberton and their many partners collaborated to profoundly impact the lives of homeless people by introducing them to vital services.
They worked with the Department of Social Development (DSD) and associated departments to meet with homeless people in Alberton on November 24.
They [LOTS#] had a location they believed was most central for the homeless people on Swartkoppies Road and Alberton North – under a tree in Florentia.
While wanting to transform lives and empower homeless people to lead dignified lives, they presented them with social housing options, rehabilitation, envisaged homeless programmes and skills development programmes.
The DSD shared their programme that focused on homeless people. LOTS# also moved their Thursday evening outreach to the actual day and provided meals and devotion to those on the streets.
Naidene Coates from Manger Care Centre, who represented the Ekurhuleni Homeless Forum, supported LOTS#. She said as an entity, they want to assist the community of Alberton by opening up homeless shelters.
“This is where the vulnerable, destitute and homeless can have a bed, meals, learn to work and most importantly, we’ll implement skills development programmes in all areas such as agriculture and food sustainability. These homeless beneficiaries will leave the shelter with an accredited training skill and be re-integrated into society as functional individuals who will work and have a purpose,” she said.
Eric McKechnie of LOTS# thanked Rooftop Ministries, Fish and Bread, the Salvation Foundation, Addicts Voice, The Joseph Principal, the Ekurhuleni Homeless Forum, AfriForum Alberton, The Upper Room Rehabilitation Centres and Miss Preteen Finalist 2023 for their support.
“The LOTS# Hope Centre is core to the interface between the homeless and the DSD, open every weekday morning until 13:00 with Dr June Jeffrey, a psychologist and specialist counsellor, in attendance who is graciously doing pro bono counselling and ministry to the homeless, fraught with addiction. In addition, the LOTS# Hope Centre (Shop 48, Trust Centre) is also a crucial interface with the Department of Home Affairs,” he said.
