Securing a brighter future for our children

The Durban Child & Youth Care Centre (formerly Durban Children’s Home) is a registered NPO (NPO number: 002-363) providing loving care for 74 orphans, destitute and neglected children, deemed by the Children’s Court to be at risk.

Areas served

We are registered with the Department of Social Development and accept children from all over KwaZulu Natal. We have served children and families from Pietermaritzburg, Empangeni and Port Shepstone. However because reunification is key to all our programmes, most of the children and youth referred to us come from communities in and around Durban.

Issues affecting children

High levels of unemployment, poverty, crime, domestic violence, substance abuse, sexual abuse and HIV/AIDS in our province have a negative impact on families and children. However, placing vulnerable children in long-term institutional care is usually not in the best interests of the child.

Family reunification

Over the years, our focus has shifted in line with modern best practice. Providing a safe and loving environment where kids can thrive remains an important part of our work. But the ultimate goal is to develop, strengthen and empower families so that children are able to return home where they belong.

Early intervention and preventative work with both children and families ensures that children do not have to spend long periods in the welfare system. In some cases it is not necessary for them to enter the system at all.

Compliance

The Durban Child and Youth Care Centre has over the years demonstrated its commitment to transforming services according to policy changes.

Donors receive Section 18A tax certificates and may claim points in terms of the Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment Act No. 53 of 2003.

Of the children, youth and families served:

%

are black

%

have disabilities

OUR MISSION

We exist to promote a sense of physical and emotional well-being, through a safe and therapeutic environment, for children who are at risk because of neglect, abuse and orphan-hood.

OUR VISION

“Our work will be accomplished when we live in a country where all our children are able to develop and unearth their individual and unique potential within an environment of nurturing families and communities.”

OBJECTIVES

To ensure that every child has the right to a safe environment which provides opportunities for development and experiences that are in keeping with their own family and community.

To ensure that those who intervene in the lives of young people and their families are trained and have the child’s best interests at heart.

To ensure that the community provides children and their families with valuable support.

HOW WE WORK

MEET THE TEAM

Mandy Goble

Director

My 34 years of service to the Durban Child and Youth Care Centre, has been one of the greatest blessings in my life. The hundreds of children, scores of staff members, past and present Board Members have over the decades stretched and shaped me, both professionally and personally. I will always be grateful for the lessons learnt, opportunities given, and competencies developed during my years of service to this organisation.

Under the leadership of our Chairperson and her Board, I am entrusted with the stewardship of the vision and mission of this worthy cause. The faith and trust placed in me allows my team and I to apply our knowledge and skill in the provision of child and youth care services. Holding fast to the principle of, ‘ín the best interest of this child’, we are relentless in our pursuit of accessing and providing for our children that which is their right.

The current societal and economic challenges we face as a country has a direct bearing on the resources available to provide professional services to our children and their families. In response we have developed the skill of creative problem solving and a confidence that we have the depth to successfully overcome the expected and unexpected trials that we know will come our way.

Whilst we do not know what the future holds, we do know who holds the future, and it is in Him alone that we place our trust and hope.