The rise in homelessness, particularly in Johannesburg and across South Africa, affects both men and women severely, with limited resources available to address this challenge. In response, initiatives like the RiseAgain House, part of the Mothers of the Nation Foundation project, provide a valuable model for addressing homelessness among recovering male chronic substance users. This housing unit, developed in collaboration with universities, aims to reduce the harms associated with substance use and homelessness.
The establishment of the RiseAgain Housing Project has demonstrated success in mitigating some of the negative impacts of substance abuse and homelessness. By offering Opioid Substitution Therapy (OST) to help with addiction recovery, the project provides transitional housing, which is crucial for the recovery process of the target population. This supportive environment not only aids in recovery but also offers a stable living situation that can help these individuals reintegrate into society.
Most service users at RiseAgain House have spent years living on the streets, which significantly impacts their sense of community and responsibility. To address this, tailored Life Skills programs are designed to help these individuals relearn the basic societal norms necessary for transitioning back into society. These programs are primarily facilitated by social workers at RiseAgain House and supervised university students from various departments, including Social Work, Criminology, Psychology, Occupational Therapy, Theology, and Religion.
The focus of these Life Skills programs includes:
– Communication skills
– Anger management
– Job readiness workshops
– Health talks
– Basic etiquette
By providing these essential skills, RiseAgain House aims to equip its service users with the tools they need to reintegrate into society successfully and build a stable, independent life.
Health Initiatives
Outreach Programs
At our organization, we believe that “prevention is better than cure.” Therefore, we focus on primary health care through various outreach programs aimed at promoting wellness and preventing illness within our community. Our key health initiatives include:
Drug Awareness Campaigns
We conduct drug awareness campaigns in schools to educate learners about the dangers of drug use. Our goal is to prevent drug-related violence and conflicts between learners and teachers, as well as among learners themselves.
Substance Abuse Programs
Our organization runs specialized programs for drug addicts to address substance abuse. These programs aim to minimize the incidence of HIV/AIDS and prevent severe health consequences such as amputations resulting from substance abuse.
Home-Based Care
Our center offers home-based care services, facilitating the movement of people in and out of our center. The most crucial aspect of this service is conducting house-to-house visits to check on and support sick individuals.
We bring health care services directly to the people, ensuring that essential health information and resources are accessible to everyone.
Through these initiatives, we strive to foster a healthier, safer community and make a positive impact on the lives of those we serve.
