Every one of our programmes exists to do one thing: help families stay together, heal and thrive, from a child's first 1000 days right through to old age.
Strategically, we have learnt over time that the four walls of:
bring a holistic offering to support our Whole family and Interdisciplinary approach to family strengthening. Join us in building hope together in Strandfontein, Cape Town and beyond.
We see Hope Centre as an oasis, a sanctuary for the community. It is a refuge for children who are neglected or abused, and for whom the economic, education and health systems are failing. It is a resource base for parents breaking free from cycles of hopelessness, trauma, addiction and abuse. And it is a place of freedom, play, laughter and learning: new ways of living, which we want to share.
We are registered as an Early Childhood Development (ECD) Centre with the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) as well as a Drop In Centre and a Child Protection Organisation for prevention, early intervention and aftercare, both with the Department of Social Development (DSD).
Regular Antenatal courses and Parent and child bonding groups focused on the earliest, most critical window of a child's development, from conception to age two. Family coaches work closely with expectant mothers and new parents on bonding, attachment and early stimulation, since the foundation laid in this window shapes a child's whole developmental trajectory.
A happy, supportive learning environment with a play-based registered curriculum (MASKOT from Masikuhle) which infuses the strengths of early identification and early intervention from Occupational Therapy. Learners have educational outings and many special experiences throughout the year to extend their vision and hope for the future. Children leave Hope ECD ready for Grade R. Hope ECD has been part of the Datadrive 2030 Thrive by Five Index using ELOM (Early Learning Outcome Measure)
OT-inspired Afterschool Programme for foundation-phase children (grade R to grade 3), Playcare gives young learners a safe, structured, happy space to grow after the school day ends. Playcare is play-based, offers a nutritious meal and educational support, as well as family bonding sessions.
A mainstay for children aged 6 to 16 who have dropped out of school, been expelled, or never had access to formal education. With a combination of educational and family support, Beyond Learning pod works to get them into, or back into, formalised schooling. Along the way, they receive literacy and numeracy support, exposure to nature conservation through outings to Table Mountain Nature Reserve, and take part in a baking-based social enterprise, alongside life skills, personal hygiene support and home visits.
Healthy meals, health promotion and primary health care are a priority for us in the work we do. Our team are first aid trained, and we partner with Strandfontein clinic and Nurses with Purpose for nursing outreaches. We regularly raise awareness, share information and resources, and make referrals for access to health and wellness government services.
Hope Ladies, Hope Men, Power-Filled Girls and Hope Men Youth are weekly trauma-informed support groups for adults and teenagers: authentic, supportive and creative spaces of belonging, connection and growth, where people share their journeys and encourage one another towards real change. The groups walk alongside people coming out of deep trauma, gangsterism and addiction, with a strong focus on fatherhood, parenting, identity formation and preventing teenage pregnancy.
Anyone is welcome to join a session or alternatively visit for an Open Day to find out more about what we do. Reach out through the Get Involved page to find out current days and times.
An interdisciplinary support team of Social workers, Occupational Therapists, Educators and Recovery coaches walk alongside vulnerable families, offering therapeutic psychosocial input and support: Goal-setting and problem-solving, child and family therapy (play therapy, trauma counselling and debriefing, mediation, parenting skills, family conferencing, GBVF and marriage/long term relationship support) alongside practical social work services such as late birth registrations, unplaced learner school enrolment and access to IDs and grants.
Family2Family matches one of the Hope families we support through wraparound services with a partner family who wants to walk alongside their journey. The commitment runs for a year, with a monthly donation, and our family coach keeps the partner family updated with news and photos along the way. It is a direct, personal way to support a vulnerable family breaking out of cycles of trauma, poverty, abuse and unemployment. This support can also be given on an anonymous basis.
For people coming out of drug addiction and gang involvement, our Recovery and Restoration programme works with the whole family unit. We use evidence-based Motivational interviewing, psychosocial and practical support to help prepare individuals for readiness for life change. We journey with people through identity and spiritual formation, Rehab centre placement, and reintegration into community life. We support the wider family and encourage restoration of relationships.
Step Up helps people become employable through skills development, continued learning, job readiness and support to access the open labour market or start small businesses. The programme includes learnerships and on-site apprenticeships in hydroponics and facilities maintenance, ECD, and the Drop-in centre, plus functional literacy, job-readiness courses and a micro-enterprise launch course. This is available for anyone, including teens over 16, who have dropped out of school prematurely or need support accessing stable employment.
Our hydroponics tunnel and kitchen support hospitality services for the centre, producing around 24 000 meals a year. They also provide opportunties for skills development and work preparation for community members, the tunnel produces our Basil pesto, Chili relish and microgreens, sold through word of mouth and partner outlets, in small batches that follow the season's harvest.
We love innovation and collaborations. We desire to share and grow through partnerships, training, and shared learning with other organisations. Hands and Feet is establishing a Hope Centre and Family strengthening model in Cape Town, and we are excited to see how elements of this spring up in different communities around South Africa and beyond, through partnerships.
We are excited to come alongside like-minded organisations to learn together, share our experience and inspire greater impact together.
We have chosen not to take a cookie-cutter approach to multiplication. Our aim is not to set up and run identical Hope Centres across the province or country. We value the trust and connection which community-based organisations and churches have already established over many years in their communities and would prefer to partner with and encourage them.
We scale deep where we are based, through strong local partnerships and collaborations, and we scale in breadth through our membership in networks, alliances and communities of practice with other community-based organisations and churches. We also work with government and research institutions to help shape policy and practice around family strengthening in South Africa and beyond.
Our core strategies:
Rooted in faith and values:
Working across systems:
Building something repeatable:
Find answers to common questions about our programs, support, and how you can get involved.