OTSK in the Press

“Young people leaving state out-of-home care are arguably one of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged groups in society. Compared with most young people, they face particular difficulties in accessing educational, employment, housing and other developmental and transitional opportunities.”

Philip Mendes

Transition to Independent Living (TIL) Programme

Guiding youth in care towards responsible, independent living

SA-YES is running a three-year pilot programme for youths leaving residential care in South Africa, from January 2010 to December 2012.

The TIL programme provides access to information on housing, employment, education and skills training, support with family and community reintegration and, most importantly, one-to-one mentoring; all of which are essential to the development of the young people.

The mentors are volunteers who want to give back to their community. Mentors and mentees commit to meeting once a week for a full year.

SA-YES is developing a model that will be made available to young people in residential care homes throughout the Western Cape on completion of the pilot programme.
If you are interested in becoming a mentor in the TIL programme, please email info@sa-yes.com or call +27 (0)21 402 0795.

Partners

Beth Uriel – established in 1987, a home for previously disadvantaged young men in Cape Town
http://www.bethuriel.co.za/

Marsh Memorial Homes – a children’s home in Cape Town established in 1903
http://www.marshmemorial.org.za/

Girls and Boys Town – a children’s home in Cape Town established in 1958
http://www.girlsandboystown.org.za/

Heatherdale Children’s Home – a children’s home in Cape Town established in 1929 by the Methodist Church
http://www.heatherdale.org.za/

Coaching For Hope – a UK based charity that uses football to empower vulnerable young people in the developing world.
http://www.coachingforhope.org/

The Shine Centre – established in 2000, a Cape Town based NGO offering a literacy programme to learners for whom English is their second language. http://www.theshinecentre.org.za/

Mulholland After Care Services (MACS) – established in 1990, a mentoring programme for vulnerable young people in Northern Ireland. http://www.macsni.org/

St George’s Home for Girls – a children’s home in Cape Town since 1862. http://www.st-georges.org.za/

St Michael’s Children’s Home – established in 1870 in Cape Town – http://www.st-mikesct.org.za/index.html