Why homelessness is a pandemic: systems, structures and assumptions
The homelessness pandemic is increasing worldwide and so are the concerns around what is being done to support homeless citizens across the globe. There are also rising concerns around whether these efforts to affect change are making a difference to the most vulnerable people in our communities or if we need to change our tune. […]
Record number of Cold Front Sleeping Sites set up for the homeless
VRCID Field Worker Allistair Scholtz with Sleeping Site visitor Paulina Silver. Last month, a homeless individual living on the street in Kuils River died from exposure to Cape Town’s bitterly cold temperatures. “We’re living in the 21st century – we cannot let this happen. This is why Cold Front Sleeping Sites exist,” comments Ilse […]
Love wins at Safe Space shelter
From left to right: VRCID Field Worker Tonio Gantana, Monica Ramsbottom and Dirk Engelbrecht. Back row – left to right: UWC OT students Kristy and Chelin Boltney. Front row – left to right: Safe Space Manager Edmund Martis, UWC OT student Jabulile Ndlovu, VRCID Field Worker Veronica Geduld, MES’s Head of Logistics and Administration Glenda […]
Our new field worker Tonio is proud to make a difference
With the growing number of homeless and vulnerable people in Bellville and Parow, social development and upliftment remain a priority for our team – especially since the COVID-19 crisis. We are excited to announce that we have a newly-appointed field worker, Tonio Gantana, who will work together with our field workers Allistair Scholtz and Veronica […]
Mr. Mullins: VRCID’s star cleaner
Many who live and work around the Radio Tygerberg 104FM area here in Parow will know Mr. Peter Mullins, who for the past 8½ years has been on his post daily, cleaning the streets. Peter was supposed to retire five years ago but he refused to do so. At 67 years old, Peter is a shining […]
How our local businesses have survived lockdown: part 2
The Voortrekker Road Corridor community is one that truly reflects that of a rainbow nation, allowing its residents to gain a deeper understanding of differing cultures and beliefs, and creating an environment where we learn to get along despite our differences, and are brought closer together because of them. These tough past few months have […]
A safer environment in the VRCID area during lockdown
As lockdown restrictions have eased from level 5 to 2 and people have taken advantage of more freedom of movement, crime rates have understandably risen. As a result, we and our partners have been working hard to ensure a safer environment within the VRCID area. From when lockdown started on 27 March through to 31 […]
How our local businesses have survived lockdown
Our national lockdown has been extremely challenging for most businesses locally and globally, and its impact is likely to be felt long after the lockdown ends. We spoke to two business owners in our area, from Clowns Hobbies and Fabulous Wear, to find out how they have been affected by the pandemic, yet managed to […]
VRCID collaborates with local players to feed the homeless: Part 2
During the six long weeks of level 5 lockdown, we dedicated special focus to supporting the homeless. We collaborated with local NGOs, charities and other players to ensure food security for those on the streets, to deliver food parcels, and to support the destitute in terms of health, re-integration, and drug withdrawal. Much of this […]
The VRCID joins forces with MES to feed the homeless: part 1
Our VRCID Social Development Manager Wilma Piek and her team are proud to have joined forces with MES, various shelters and NGOs, to support the homeless during levels 4 and 5 of lockdown. Wilma explained that, “Lockdown accelerated collaboration between the VRCID Social Development team and our partners, based on the need to assist the […]
