Horizon Child Youth Centre Interview: Advocating for Awaiting-Trial Youth

There are many youth that are awaiting trial and are placed in less than appropriate and safe environments. They are often forgotten about and not given the proper services that they need.  This is a demographic that is not always focused. According to IOL, between 2019 and 2020 there were 2,058 sentences juveniles and 3,724 remand juveniles. Horizon Child Youth Centre strives to help this community. 


Horizon Child Youth Centre is one of 7 secure care centres for trial-awaiting children and for youth in conflict with the law and those that pose behavioral challenges. They are meant to provide an appropriate space for these youth. Recently using a R138 million refurbishment project they’ve been able to provide refurbished living units, additional classrooms, a visitation hall, a multi-purpose hall, storage rooms and much more. They are trying to help residents of secure care centres go from vulnerability to resilience. These centres are owned by the Western Cape Department of Social Development (DSD). We spoke to Mornay Johnson, the manager of the Horizon Child and Youth Care Centre.



We made sure to ask Mornay what specific services do they provide, what the main approach to their care, education, and rehabilitation services are, the nuances of this vulnerable youth, and how do you ensure the wellbeing of these children. 


There were several points that he emphasized. He mentioned that these youth need these centres, that for the ones that are in school they make an effort to link up with those schools to coordinate. They offer group counselling services and group management. Aside from that, Mornay discussed the relevance of teaching entrepenurial development skills and introduces hobbies so that they know there's more out there. Mornay mentioned that the people at the centre care about this youth and that society as a whole needs to take part in caring for them. 

Find out more about Horizon Child Youth centre including contact information on the website https://www.westerncape.gov.za/facility/horizon-child-youth-care-centre. 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Rudy van Dieman to summit Table Mountain 365 times in 2022, to raise funds for building a community orphanage

Image
Rudy van Dieman, who has partnered with Angels South Africa, an organisation based in Colorado Park, Mitchells Plain, will summit Table Mountain 365 times in 2022, to raise funds for building a community orphanage. Angels SA wants to purchase a house that will become a safe house for children. ‘’Farieda Moses, [Founder of AngelsSA] has been a role model to me since I knew her. She took us on a camp and we stayed in contact after that ,and we done various charity work together. Just her will, and her strength that I see in her - she wants to make such a big change, but don’t have the necessary tools, so it will take years to fund her dream, and I came up with the crazy idea to give it a year and do my part to raise those funds and build that house,’’ said van Dieman. He aims to raise R1 Million through backabuddy https://www.backabuddy.co.za/champion/project/angels-sa-project-365 PICTURED: Rudy van Dieman Sakhi Sizwe · Rudy Van Dieman summits Table Mountain to raise funds to
Read more

DON CALYA SIGNS WITH UNIVERSAL MUSIC

Image
  ARTIST DON CALYA SIGNS WITH UNIVERSAL MUSIC PUBLISHING RELEASED NEW SINGLE, COUNT ON YOU “Count on you was written from a personal experience, so emotionally I was going through a love/hate kind of thing”- Don Calya Singer Don Calya SA based artists who is known for her outrageous and dramatic performances. She most featured on a song titled OUR LOVE. Also featuring on a track with Breeze Zulu Bass King. Don continues to ride the wave of her success with a recent sign with Universal Music Publishing and released a new single COUNT ON YOU. Most recently, Don Calya appeared on the Joox South Africa Live platform, performing in two virtual shows. She also performed on So Far Sounds Cape Town’s Instagram Live, featuring in Sportscene’s WEEKEND TURN-UP Segment. Born in the small town of George, South Africa but bred in Sydney, Australia, the young artist had always been a ‘music head’. Her primary and high school days were spent owning the stages as she took part in musicals,
Read more

In May we recognize Child Protection Week!

Image
Child Protection Week is an annual observance dedicated to raising awareness about the rights and well-being of children. It typically includes a series of events, campaigns, and activities aimed at promoting child safety, preventing abuse, and advocating for policies and practices that support children's healthy development.  Molo Songololo is a registered non-profit organization that promotes the rights and protection of children and youth, and especially girls. Their work aligns with the goals of Child Protection Week, focusing on advocacy, education, and empowerment to create a safer and more inclusive environment for children. Sakhisizwe got to speak with Patric from Molo Songololo. In our conversation we discussed the programs they have implemented to support children's rights and protection looking specifically about their programs for young girls who are the most at risk. We were informed of their collaborations with local communities, schools, and government agencies a
Read more