Gardenia Park Child and Youth Care Centre

Gardenia Park Youth Care Centre originated due to the initiative, motivation and perseverance of one person, namely Mrs. Ansa Coetzee. She contacted the staff of head office for the first time on 30 June 2003. The first action committee meeting was held on 13 October 2003. At this meeting Mr. Henk van Zyl was chosen as the chairperson.

The Dutch Reformed Churches of Gardenia Park, Hertzogville and Soutpan accept responsibility for the centre. NG Welfare bought the premises at 68 Nerina Street, Gardenia Park. Alterations were done to the house in order to provide in the needs of a youth care centre. The centre is also known as “Nerina House”.

The slogan of the house is “God with us”.

Number of children in need of care in the youth care centre:

The youth care centre is registered to accommodate 12 children at any given time. At present there is five female and eight male children in the centre. The children are represented by the white, coloured and black race groups. The children attend different schools in the community. Some children attend a school for mentally handicapped children while other children attend mainstream education. The children in Gardenia Park Youth Care Centre attend the following schools, namely: Jim Fouché Primary School, Böhmer Special School, Marthie du Plessis School and Lettie Fouché School.

Services rendered by the youth care centre to the children of the youth care centre:

The youth care centre make use of the services of a social worker. She has two therapeutic sessions with each child every quarter.

When a child is being admitted to the centre a multi therapeutic team meeting is held to draw up an Individual Developmental Plan and Care Plan for each child. This plan helps the persons involved with the child to know who will render which services to the child concerned. It also helps to co-ordinate the services.

The social worker and the child and youth care worker often have discussions about the child – in this way they work together as a team.

Annually a multi therapeutic team meeting is held to evaluate the achievements and to plan ahead.

The social worker co-ordinates the services and makes the necessary arrangements for the child to receive specialised therapy, for instance psychological, occupational, psychiatric, medical, neurological and spiritual.

The social workers also arranges for weekend and holiday leave to the child’s parents or host families.

The management and the child and youth care worker ensures that the child’s basic needs are met by making sure he/she has a safe house, food, clothes and education.

Services rendered by the centre to the children within the community:

The centre is involved in a soup kitchen where food is given to street children. They also help with a feeding scheme at the local school.

Outstanding trademarks of the centre:

The centre houses both female and male children. The centre helps the children to develop both emotionally and intellectually. The child and youth care worker help the children to develop their skills. There are children who have scholastic back locks. Some of these back locks have been diminished due to the child care worker's loyalty and patience she has exercised. Every child in the youth care centre has a bicycle. The team often rides together. There is a boy in the centre who is a good horse-rider. He used to be in foster care and competed in competitions. He received Free State colours for horse riding. He wants to ride horses again and wants to takes part in competitions, but does not have the necessary horse or funds.

Possible ways how the community can get involved and help the centre:

 Your assistance will be greatly appreciated. You can contribute in one of the following methods:

• Donations of clothes for the children.
  
  
• Literacy material like old books, magazines.
  
  
• Games like puzzles, board games – anything with which the children can amuse themselves.
  
  
• Apparatus like swings, sand-pit, trampoline etc.
  
  
• There is a great need for activities and funds to be utilised during holiday times since a growing number of children stay in the youth care centre for holidays. Cash donations are also welcome. This money will be used to enhance the budget and to buy necessary goods.
  
  
• Sponsor a child’s school necessities and toiletries.
  
  
• Sponsor a child’s therapy at a professional therapist.
  
  
• Sponsor a child to study at a technical college.
  
  
• Sponsor a child that needs specialised medical attention like orthodontics and spectacles.
  
  
• Any in kind donations are welcome.
  
  
• Assistance with the upgrade of the youth care centre by your knowledge, financial or physical help.
  
  
• A sponsor or the availability of a horse for the boy to ride in competitions.

Professional persons can also get involved at the youth care centre by donating their time to the youth care centre. They can get involved in the following manner:

• Involvement in the committee.
  
  
• Hosting of children for weekends and holidays – the persons must first be screen by a minister of a church and a social worker.
  
  
• To be a relieve child and youth care worker when the child and youth care worker attends educational courses.
  
  
• To render free medical and dental services, or occupational- or emotional therapy.

Motivation of the community to get involved:

If you choose to get involved at the youth care centre you will experience the blessings of thankful and happy children faces. You will have the opportunity to experience the practical difference you have made in the quality of the children's lives. Often people report that they initially got involved at the youth care centre in order to mean something to a child. In the process they were the persons being blessed by experiencing the child’s meaning of being able to give to somebody, and how fortunate it is to be able to give. Many people say that there is more meaning in being able to give than being able to receive. In which ever way you choose to be involved in the youth care centre, it is certain that you will be touched by it!

Postal address:

Gardenia Park Youth Care Centre
P. O. Box 11821
Universitas
9321

Street address:

68 Nerina Street 
Gardenia Park
Bloemfontein
E-mail address: gardeniajss@telkomsa.net

Telephone number: 051-5221204

Fax number: 051-5221204

Particulars of staff members:

Child and youth care worker: Mrs. Gerda Terblanche

General assistant: Joyce Witbooi is the general assistant. She is very young but an eager learner.

Social worker: Mrs. Lizelle Fourie – contact number: 051-4443068. Mrs. Fourie is the social worker since August 2006. She is young and full of energy and love working with the children.

 

Management committee:

Mr. Henk van Zyl
Rev. Fanie Spamer
Rev. Schalk van der Merwe
Mr. Sarel de Jager