This year, two Cape-based social enterprises, Youth Solutions Africa (YSA) and No Danger Diaries (NDD), will stage the Shelter Lockdown at the corner of Russel and Chapel Street, Woodstock on December 15 and 16, to tackle homelessness on the city’s streets.

“Shelter Lockdown is an initiative by our fundraiser,” says John Philmon, the founder of YSA. “It is for people and businesses to come and experience what living in a shelter is like. It’s also a way to help us raise funds. “

The evening will involve guests queuing alongside and eating the same food as the homeless people who usually frequent YSA’s shelter. They’ll also pair up with shelter residents to complete tasks and hear life stories – all with a view to promoting understanding and building relationships between well-meaning people who may lack certain insights and the people who could benefit from greater societal insight. They’ll enjoy some music and then the guests who’re game will spend one evening sleeping rough. The next morning they’ll be roused at 06:00 to stand in line for breakfast.

Philmon is quick to point out that one voluntary night can’t compare to the terrifying and precarious reality of homelessness. But the time guests spend with shelter residents can still be deeply meaningful.

“This won’t give people the full perspective of a homeless person,” says Philmon, “but it can give some sense. In my experience, when you give an ear to someone who’s been through so much, it means a lot. They want people to know that they’re not homeless by choice. Sometimes they appreciate people taking the time to listen to them instead of just walking by or giving them a few coins to go away.”

And this process of recognising the typically invisible populace can do far more than generate fleeting sympathies, according to Philmon.

“What I’ve noticed with people making donations is that when they connect with a homeless person, they will always ask about that person. They don’t forget them, and they even connect on WhatsApp.”

“What I’ve noticed with people making donations is that when they connect with a homeless person, they will always ask about that person. They don’t forget them, and they even connect on WhatsApp.”

“When I started working with the homeless there were no cell phones,” says Philmon. “Now they give you their cell numbers. Most of the people at our shelters have cell phones so they are able to WhatsApp. We charge their phones at the shelter. The phones help them look for jobs and help to bring them into the open.”

In addition to generating much-needed attention and relationships, YSA and NDD also hope to raise necessary funds for existing and future endeavours. One such venture, according to Philmon, involves the complicated practice of reintegrating people into society.

“A key problem I find is that when people have been on the street for so long, they’re not ready to move into mainstream society or a job. If they find work, they can disappear from the shelter after the first pay cheque – only to fall back into destructive habits. We have a social worker here to help them reintegrate into society. They need to adapt to different expectations. They need Ids and CVs. It’s quite a process helping people get back on their feet.”

And a related goal focuses on building YSA’s internal capacity to help its residents break harmful habits in a planned venture with Home Detox SA, and organisation that specialises in treating drug and alcohol addiction. This is difficult, somewhat risky, work which nevertheless needs doing if people beset by these issues are to get on their feet.

“We’ve taken in alcoholics and people who use drugs,” says Philmon. “Sometimes they come to the shelter after drinking and it’s a problem for the other people. But we also don’t want to chase people away who come here willingly. We’re raising funds to work with Home Detox SA so we can take in people with substance issues and work with them on our premises rather than sending them to a drug treatment centre. We can monitor them much better on our premises.”

Tickets for the Shelter Lockdown are available at www.quicket.co.za at R500-00 for individuals and R5000-00 for individuals representing companies or businesses. People who would prefer to make small donations rather than participating may kindly follow the ticket link.

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