Staff of New World Foundation who manage and support the Drop-in Centre.
Image: Picture: Supplied
The New World Foundation (NWF) in Grindal Avenue, Lavender Hill, has spearheaded a Drop-In Centre that offers a safe space for children.
This centre ensures increased access to necessary supportive services, including helping drop-outs return to school and supporting children to stay in school.
Erica Jacobs, director of NWF, said the centre, a longstanding service provider of community-based services in Lavender Hill and Vrygrond, has expanded its services to include a Drop-In Centre at its premises.
Ms Jacobs said although the centre became operational in February, during which time they focused on surveying the number of children not in school and employed professionally qualified staff to investigate the children's backgrounds, they only officially launched the Drop-In Centre on April 17.
Ms Jacobs said: “The aim of the service is to meet the emotional, physical, and social development needs of vulnerable children in the community, for example, to support children and youth from vulnerability to resilience. Additionally, truancy has been identified as a key social and educational issue that requires a collective effort from all stakeholders and parents in the community of Lavender Hill.”
Ms Jacobs said it is crucial to get the child back in school as soon as possible. “If children are absent for three months, we make sure that they get back in school. “
Erica Jacobs, director of New World Foundation, and Mark Lakay, a board member, cutting the ribbon of the NWF Drop-in-Centre.
Image: Picture: Supplied
Ms Jacobs said some children have not returned to school since the Covid-19 pandemic.
"Children at risk often come from a family at risk. Currently, there are children at risk of dropping out of school at the age of 10 or 11. Investigations have revealed a family history of early school leavers or drug abuse in families at risk.”
Children at risk will not be able to attend a skills programme if they have not been in school. "We need to get the children back in school. If it is discovered that a child needs special needs education, or if they are 16 and older, we need to place them in a school of skills or an adult educational training institute.”
Pictured are New World Foundation members and partners.
Image: Picture: Supplied
Ms Jacobs said the service is funded by the Department of Social Development (DSD) and includes supportive and collaborative partners such as the Western Cape Education Department (WCED), Steenberg SAPS, Steenberg Community Police Forum (CPF), and the five schools located in Lavender Hill, all of whom were present or represented at the launch.
The Drop-In Centre works with parents and caregivers and schools on what steps to take to get a child back into school if they have been absent for extended periods.
The Drop-In Centre also supports children who are at risk of dropping out and helps them navigate the risk factors so that they can remain in school.
The Drop-In Centre offers a safe space for children, ensuring increased access to necessary supportive services, and above all else, ensuring the rights of children are upheld as stipulated in the Children’s Act.
Stakeholders, parents, and community members are invited to contact the organisation in Grindal Avenue to learn more about the Drop-In Centre and all the other services on offer at the New World Foundation.
For more information call 021 701 1150 or email melissa@newworldfoundation.org.za