The Open Door community development and social work project in Ocean View, managed by Valley Development Projects (VDP), now has a new multi-purpose facility which was officially opened yesterday, Tuesday 05 April 2016.
Rotary Club of Cape of Good Hope, Rotary Club of Newlands and Peninsula Beverages (PenBev – local bottler and distributor of The Coca-Cola Company products in the Western and Northern Cape) partnered with VDP in managing and financing construction of the new building on Milky Way Road. This is the largest project yet undertaken by the Rotary Club of Cape of Good Hope under the expert management of Rotarian Hans Zwets. It has a large meeting hall, a kitchen to accommodate catering at capacity, offices for Social Workers and a space for group therapy and out-patient substance abuse counselling.
The Open Door feeding scheme provides a wholesome meal every week day to more than 200 children from poverty stricken homes in the area. Previously it operated out of a building that was cobbled together from three converted shipping containers, with limited space. The new facility has plenty of room for children to eat inside and then remain at the venue so that they can participate in the after school care programme.
“The Open Door Community Development Project has been a beacon of hope and light in Ocean View for more than 15 years. The previous premises were far too small to sufficiently meet the needs of the community, particularly during rainy winter days. We are thrilled to open this new facility that will enable theOpen Door to better serve many people in Ocean View,” says Shirley Dunn, Co-ordinator of VDP.
The Open Door’s after school programme provides learners, between the ages of six and 18, with access to facilities to complete their homework. As part of the after school programme, these youngsters receive educational support, learn new words, read books from the library corner and compete in fun talent competitions as well as other games that encourage positive social skills.
The Open Door Social Work project, operating in the same building provides parenting workshops, family counselling, support for children’s court investigation, foster care placement and supervision, drug abuse counselling and mediation for community members. President of Rotary Club of Cape of Good Hope Bev Frieslich says, “It is wonderful that Social Workers will now have enough space to counsel and assist the community at the Open Door. We are thankful for the wonderful partnership with VDP and PenBev that has resulted in meeting a great need in Ocean View.”
The building provides a professional and safe environment for parents and children to receive the counselling, support and attention they so badly need. It is seen as a safe, stimulating place for children in this community which keeps them off the streets and helps develop positive social skills. As Project Manager of Open Door’s Community Development project, Sherine Arendse says, “We had close to 100 children at the last holiday club in the new building when previously we could not even run a holiday club because there was no space. Since we moved into the building earlier this year, the number of children attending the weekly youth group has increased from 45 to 95 every Friday evening.”
PenBev Commercial Director, John Joubert says, “This building is our 29th brick and mortar Corporate Social Investment project. It is humbling for PenBev to play a small role in the work that is done here. The happy smiles on the faces of the children who come to this new facility are testament to the impact that the Open Door has in Ocean View.”
For more information visit the following links:
Rotary Club of Cape of Good Hope - http://rotary9350-capeofgoodhope.co.za/
Rotary Club of Newlands - http://www.newlands.org.za/
Valley Development Projects - http://www.valleydevelopment.co.za/
To find out more about Peninsula Beverages, visit www.peninsulabeverage.co.zaor contact 021 936 5500. PenBev is also on Facebook www.facebook.com/PenBev.