Project HOPE, an initiative of the Sea Point Fresnaye and Bantry Bay Residents’ and Ratepayers’ Association (SFB) is making positive waves along the Atlantic Seaboard.
They recently launched their beach conservation homeless people reintegration initiative which aims to keep the beaches clean and crime-free – and create work opportunities for the homeless.
The project currently has teams looking after the eight beaches from Three Anchor Bay to Saunders Rock including the Promenade and parking lots along Beach Road.
On Thursday, May 6, the team along with ward councillor, Nicola Jowell took a walk along the whole Promenade with SFB members. Ms Jowell said a number of service delivery issues were noted but they also got to see some of the initiatives of the SFB which were employing people to help with beach cleaning.
“This is not only job creation, and helping people off the streets but also assisting greatly to keep the beaches beautiful. The city field workers who work with the SFB are part of these projects.
“It’s a mammoth undertaking for volunteers and hats off to the SFB committee who are dedicating so much time and energy to these positive projects that are making such a positive difference,” she said.
SFB fieldworker, Kevin Alexander, said besides ensuring that the beaches and promenade were kept clean daily, their teams of Community Change Ambassadors (CCA’s) had also been delegated the essential task of keeping the beaches safe and crime-free.
“Community safety is a key part of the initiative with all incidents of crime and anti-social behaviour reported to the relevant authorities via the Project HOPE Fieldwork Services,” he said.
He added that they had weekly meetings with the CCA’s to measure performance, resolve concerns and upskill the team members in focus areas such as community safety, recycling, gardening, conservation, communication and teamwork.
All the team members are being placed at shelters where their progress is being monitored by social workers.
