Background of Helenvale Centre of Hope
Helenvale Centre of Hope is a Non-Profit Organisation NPO 188-472. The Helenvale Centre of Hope is registered as a child & youth drop-in-centre that provides quality programmes for children from the ages of 4-18 living in Helenvale and Gelvandale, Port Elizabeth, South Africa.
The Centre is concentrating on improving our children’s education standard, to support children in beating the stigma of poverty through school support programmes, violence prevention programmes, drug prevention programmes, HIV and AIDS prevention programmes, and other programmes of similar nature.
The centre provides one meal a day, We provide food for children after school, so that even those who have no meals at their homes can have something in their stomachs.
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History
On 22nd August 2016, Helenvale Centre of Hope was established by Mario Lewis, Quinton Lawack, Brendon Du Plessis, Creston Martin, Nicol Martin, Iwan Geyers. The first Management meeting was held on 11 September 2016 the management committee was elected and additional members.
On 7th September 2016, Mario Lewis, Nicol Martin, Iwan Geyers, Guest: Jayden Jonas, Shanice Burrell met with the Principal Mr Uithaeler, and SGB members and Staff of Hillcrest Primary School. After presenting the idea to the school, their response was overwhelmingly positive: the school allowed Helenvale Centre of Hope to start in the school, the school even made the school’s premises available for the start of the Centre.
Energized with God’s strong leading Helenvale Centre of Hope’s team started the After School Development Centre on 17th October 2016 at Hillcrest Primary School. The first year of operation, Helenvale Centre of Hope is open 3 times a week, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays with the help of 11 high school learners, 2 educators, 2 pre-school educators and 11 voluntary committee members.
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Objectives
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To bring life and hope to children through empowerment and education, moral values, arts, singing and sports.
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To reach our vision we will offer a safe and secure space to the children from the age of 4 to 18 years living in Helenvale, Gelvandale and surrounding areas.
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To support children in discovering and improving their skills, talents, and competences through a variety of sports and other programmes.
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To support children in beating the stigma of poverty through school support programmes, violence prevention programmes, drug prevention programmes, HIV and AIDS prevention programmes, and other programmes of similar nature.
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To support children socially and emotionally in their struggles with life through psychosocial counselling, life skills trainings, and other trainings of similar nature.
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To serve the basic needs of children by providing one meal a day, clothing, and medical care. We provide food for children/youth after school, so that even those who have no meals at their homes can have something in their stomachs.
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The Management Board
Helenvale Centre of Hope is overseen by a management committee consisting of youth in Helenvale, Gelvandale. This board includes:
The Chairman : Mario Lewis
Vice-Chairpersons : Chanice George
Treasurer : Shannon Magawie
Secretary : Ivan Grobbelaar
Ass Secretary : Courtney Shongwe
Management Members : Raul Januarie
Meagan Valentine
Staff
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The rest of the committee and staff at Helenvale Centre of Hope are comprised of 3 child & youth care workers , High school learners, educators and older adult volunteers volunteers on a regular basis. Staff & volunteers monitored to provide healthy role model relationships and wise counsel to the children that attend the Centre. The volunteers enthusiastically participate in the Centre’s activities, serve as positive role models, and stay current with each of the children’s lives.
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Nicolette Van Rensburg Jeneva Jansen Elaine Gabron