Our second AGM, held on Tuesday 5 December 2023 at Shift Espresso Bar on Deer Park Drive, was well attended.
Chairperson Jo-Anne Friedlander reviewed DPVO’s main activities for the financial year 1 July 2022 to 30 June 2023. We held a successful Mandela Day donation drive, and we continue our partnership with Streetscapes and the street cleaning team, which have made very visible changes to the streets of Devil’s Peak, Vredehoek and Gardens. The team filled more than 500 refuse bags of rubbish over the year!
A new activity for the team is graffiti cleaning, and sign posts, public benches and walls have been cleaned up.
Field worker Chantel Sampson is continuing her social work studies, thanks to generous donations from DPV residents.
Jo-Anne also touched on DPVO’s plans which include:
- Better coordination with the street cleaning team and a roster planned ahead of time.
- Better communication with residents so that the team can hear where street cleaning is needed and even be booked to tidy up street-corner gardens, for a donation.
- Looking into ways for Streetscapes workers to be hired as gardeners.
- Mentorship and craft workshops in the Streetscapes communal houses.
- Assistance with the Streetscapes monthly market to drum up more support.
- Another survey of people living in the streets.
- Growing the volunteer team and improving fundraising efforts.
Following Jo-Anne’s introduction and overview, Hester Lamprecht gave our treasurer’s report, after which Rudie Basson of Streetscapes talked about how connection helps people transition out of homelessness and reminded the meeting that the DPV community’s support and care is invaluable.
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Open in new tab Chantel Sampson reported back on the achievements for the street cleaning team under the supervision of Hilma Amutenya. She also shared statistics on people who have successfully gone through the Streetscapes programme, often moving into stable accommodation.
Jesse Laitinen of Streetscapes presented on the PEP (Public Employment Programme) and Streetscapes’ plans to continue to help those in their programme and to look into working on a bigger scale.
Thomas Williams of Streetscapes explained the work of the Streetscapes Outreach team, which collects and safely disposes of needles from drug users. They have 16 new peer mentors, who are doing a therapy course to be certified to do field work.
The meeting ended after useful questions and comments from the floor.
Thank you to everyone who attended our AGM, and to those who continue to support us. Thank you to Shift Espresso Bar for hosting us and to your friendly staff for accommodating us.
From left to right: Sean Robertson (DPVO), Melissa Pether (DPVO), Natalie Spires (DPVO), Jo-Anne Friedlander (DPVO), Chantel Sampson (Streetscapes), Thomas Williams (Streetscapes), Kaylin van Willigh (Streetscapes), Rudie Basson (Streetscapes), Jesse Laitinen (Streetscapes), Hilma Amutenya (Streetnscapes)
Please join us! As a community organisation, DPV Outreach hopes to grow and increase our impact in our area. To do this we need more volunteers, and more support from DPV residents. We welcomes your skills, your financial contributions, your suggestions and your comments.
Please look at our website to find out how you can get involved, or email us at info@dpvoutreach.org.za.
You can find a copy of our annual report here.