Giving people the tools...

HOLISTIC SUPPORT AND MULTI-STEPS PROVE EFFECTIVE.

- NAMHLA MONAKALI

In a year marked by natural disasters and economic strain U-turn, a leading non-profit organisation (NPO) that focuses on the rehabilitation and reintegration of people experiencing homelessness, continued to make profound strides in restoring dignity to those on the margins of society.

According to its 2024-'25 annual report, U-turn served 2 636 individuals across its various programmes, provided 73 846 meals and offered 13 340 emergency safe-space night beds along with 15 825 transitional housing night beds.

This holistic support network is anchored in their multi-step process that includes change readiness, rehab support, work readiness and eventual independent reintegration.

Despite facing a 52% decline in government funding and a 16% drop in contributions from trusts and foundations U-turn managed to grow its operating income by 5%, thanks in part to a remarkable 119% increase in other private and public donations.

Self-generated income made up 45% of its financial inflow, while 55% came from donations.

This balance allowed the organisation to invest R4,8 million in stipends for programme participants, referred to as “champs”, who together clocked an impressive 237 832 hours of paid work experience.