Community Outreach

The multifaceted challenges we face in South African communities, need more than a simple quick fix. To drive real transformation, we need a multi-layered approach with many role-players. The surface-level problems families encounter daily, stretch from lack of sufficient services to address mental illness, disabilities, violence in the community and in the home, criminal behaviour, unemployment, homelessness, addictions, chronic disease and isolation.

At FAMSA WC our contribution to resolving these issues is to look deeper, and start at the foundation or core of society – by addressing real problems within the family and relationships. Our community intervention is based on a counselling and psycho-educational approach, building and restoring functionality in relationships as a starting point for building inspired and motivated communities.

The societal problems seem overwhelming, but working together, we can inspire and drive the changes needed for improvement of peoples lives.

Community Counselling

FAMSA WC provides professional counselling as well as first-line lay counselling and support, in the areas of Mitchell’ Plain, Elsies River, Bishop Lavis, Factreton, Dunoon and Joe Slovo Park. This is a free service which is easily accessible to those in need of counselling and support.

In our South African society, many of us cannot avoid being affected by unemployment, poverty, violence, rape, gangsterism, substance abuse, to name only a few, whether in the home or our surrounding community. These factors so often put further stress on our lives, relationships and families.

FAMSA believes that “healthy families/relationships inspire healthy communities”.

Community Projects

We have the following projects running:

Fatherhood Project

The fatherhood Project is part of a larger global campaign called Men Care. The Western Cape initiative is a joint venture between the Sonke Gender Trust and Families South Africa Western Cape.

HIV & AIDS/TB Project

HIV and TB are the leading cause of premature death in the Cape Metropole (Western Cape mortality profile, MRC, May 2009). This statistic indicates the great need to address the spread of both HIV/AIDS and TB in the Western Cape, in line with Provincial, National and International goals.

Men Stopping Violence Group

The Men Stopping Violence Group (MSVG) was born out of a multifaceted approach to assisting victims of domestic violence. Implemented since February 1991, The Men Stopping Violence Group provides perpetrators with a therapeutic space which promotes non-violent behaviours. Experience has shown that group work is the best option in working with the perpetrator.