New Beginnings still going strong

New Beginnings Care Centre, which has been in existence for the past 16 years, has undergone some structural and management changes since last year March.

Situated in Commissioner Street, the centre is a NPO that addresses the needs of the disadvantaged by providing them with shelter, food and clothes. The centre also provides work placement.

On November 25, the Advertiser embarked on a tour around the centre.

According to Jean-Paul Goris, who has taken over the robes from Past Stephen du Plessis following his retirement, the centre has faced some financial constraints over the last period that resulted in the closure of the New Beginnings Learning Academy.

Run in Leeuwpoort Street, the academy was under the learning solutions company with two divisions: community-based social education and upliftment initiatives, as well as corporate training which offered SAQA-registered unit standard learning solutions, learnerships and internships, in conjunction with the various SETAS.

“That building was becoming more expensive and we couldn’t afford it anymore; hence, we decided to give up the building. We have built a structure for the church at the centre, which accommodates 200 people. Our business and foundation offices are now based at an office park in Boksburg South.”

Food distribution
The New Beginnings Food Distribution initiative continues with its daily feeding scheme for people in and around Boksburg from 07:00 to 09:00.

Goris said they now feed 800 to 1 000 people a day.

“Due to less resources, we’ve implemented a new system where we now offer warm cooked meals every Tuesday and Thursday, while on Monday, Wednesday and Friday we hand out whatever we’ve received from our suppliers, like bread and other items,” he said.

Their sponsors include Danone, Albany, SA Harvest, McCain, RCL Foods, Pick n Pay and more.
“The food donation that we receive goes towards our feeding scheme, centre and NPO support programme,” Goris said.

Renovations
Goris, who admitted that the building needs attention, said they are undergoing structural renovations around the centre to make the place more conducive for tenants.

He shared that their 195 tenants consists of people who work outside and at the centre. Goris added the tenants contribute 40% of their salaries to the centre.

In regards to some of their achievements, Goris said they’ve bought two 22-seater buses and a 16-seater bus that transports children who live at the centre from and to school, as well as adults who work at other companies.

Withdrawal of sponsorship
According to Goris, Liqui Moly Superheroes Academy, the onsite crèche, has now changed its name to Curious Minds following Liqui Moly’s sponsorship withdrawal.

“The reason why Liqui Moly withdrew their sponsorship was because we had a disagreement in regards to how they wanted to manage the centre. The centre’s business now covers all expenses at the crèche,” Goris said.
The crèche has 48 children and six teachers.

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