Whilst The Open Door Crisis Care Centre is primarily a trauma counseling and advice desk services in response to crisis,we recognise the need to be proactive in addressing issues that give rise to the trauma suffered by those who seek our help in times of crisis. The Open Door Crisis Care Centre does not only respond to crisis,but also provides essential training to resource the community to identify and to address crisis triggers. We also recognise the need for ongoing intervention in the lives of our clients when the crisis has passed,and we host numerous support groups for this purpose. Our shelter is available to abused women and children.
Abuse (physical,emotional,mental)
Our statistics show that most abused women have no access to finances –the abuse means they cannot keep their job but must support their children. The causes are a myriad of issues,from insufficient emotional skills to lack of education caused by poverty and/ or generations of unhealthy role models. Alcohol and substance abuse exacerbates domestic violence. Women and children who have suffered abuse can come to The Open Door Crisis Care Centre for shelter,protection,emotional and spiritual grounding. Further,The Open Door Crisis Care Centre assists these women and children with accessing further support from the relevant authorities.
Economic Assistance
The majority of our clients come from peri-urban or rural areas where there are few or no facilities,no concept of their rights and no resources whatsoever to help themselves. These situations are more often than not complicated by very little opportunity for sexual choices and safety,poverty,unemployment and housing issues.
HIV/AIDS
Our HIV/AIDS outreach programme is provided under the supervision of a professional nurse assisted by an HIV/AIDS educator and several counsellors offering the following services:
- voluntary counselling and testing;
- pre and post test counselling,dietary advice,behavioural change,family support;
- sexually transmitted diseases;
- home based care;
- on site VCT,prevalence testing;
- CD4 Counts,viral load,pregnancy and drug testing;
- Support groups for HIV/AIDS positive women and men;
- Awareness and education workshops;
- Peer education
Our statistics clearly show that issues surrounding HIV/AIDS and family problems (marital relationships,parent-child relationships,the effects of unemployment and poverty) are the most significant of the identified crisis triggers. Consequently,these define where the need is greatest.
Children
Play therapy is a form of counselling directed at children using the mediums of sand,clay,puppetry,story telling,art and play with the purpose of bringing to a place of healing those that are suffering as a result of loss,grief and bereavement,abandonment,rape,incest,violence and other crime related incidents.
Youth
The aim of the programme is to create awareness and educate youth and learners on a vast number of topics through workshops within a safe environment.
Victim Empowerment
Our victim empowerment team are on 24 hour call to several South African Police Services stations,two local hospitals and support the justice,education and medical professions. Victims are accompanied to hospitals,clinics,district surgeons and magistrate’s courts to ensure they receive maximum holistic medical and legal support.
Training
Our training courses cater for men,women and peers who wish to address social issues in their communities,schools and workplace. Training is carried out by a team of professionals,social workers,HIV/AIDS educators and specially trained staff and counselors from our centre. For more information,click here.
