The Christian Social Council (CSC) or Christelik Maatskaplike Raad (CMR) is a Christian based welfare organisation that has been making a difference in people’s lives for over 100 years. This registered non-profit organisation (NPO 034-569) renders comprehensive social services to the communities of White River and Hazyview. It aims to empower people socially, emotionally and economically.
The White River office has been operating since 1998 from facilities on the NG Church premises. The church sponsors the facilities. Key facets of this office are child protection, family preservation and emergency poverty relief. Four of the primary projects are the “Kos and Klerekas”, Huis Bethlehem “Blue Tooth Parental Guidance” and the office of the social worker.
Through the “Kos and Klerekas” project, clothing and food are distributed to those in need. More than 150 families are given food parcels and a hot meal each week! In addition, about forty of these families receive a monthly grocery package. Clothing and shoes are also distributed each week.
The protection of children against neglect and abuse is one of the most important priorities of the CSC. The social worker at the White River office, Jorina Schutte helps to improve the coping skills of families through family and marriage counselling. The removal of children from their parental home and their placement into safe/ foster care or children’s homes is considered only as a last option. This is usually an interim solution and the aim is to reunite the child with at least one of its parents at a later stage. Huis Betlehem is such a home of safety for children. The physical, emotional, social and scholastics needs of the children are taken care of and they get to experience a loving, secure and homely environment.
The social worker finds that the greatest need seems to be the lack of parental guidance. Therefore the Blue Tooth Parental Guidance group was established with the assistance of a local consultant of “Immergroen”. The group meets once a month (usually the last Tuesday of the month, from 6pm – 8 pm) and is open to anyone in the community. A professional person is invited to share about his/her field of expertise regarding parenting. Discussion and question time afterwards is of great benefit to the parents. Visit the Facebook page “BlueTooth Ouerskap/Parenting”.
The CSC is partly funded by the government but this isn’t nearly enough to cover all expenses. The organisation therefore needs donations from the community as well as fundraising initiatives to help fill the gap. Your donation will make it possible for the CSC White River to continue providing much needed social services to vulnerable children and families in White River.
If you want to help, apart from finances, clothes (especially children’s clothes), blankets, shoes, non-perishable foodstuffs like canned food (baked beans, tomato and onion, pilchards, corn, etc.), pasta, maize meal, sugar, toiletries (toothpaste, soap, etc.) are always useful.
You can also make a donation to:
Account Holder: C M R Witrivier
Bank: FNB White River
Account no: 6242 2316 283
Branch code: 250655
(Score BEE points for SED on your BBBEE Score Card. 18A Tax Benefits. NPO 011 137)
Contact:
Tel: 013 751 3446
Email: cmrwitrivier@cmroos.co.za
Address: Dutch Reformed Church Premises
c/o Chief Mgiyeni Khumalu and Ali van Bergen Streets
White River
Office hours: Monday – Friday, 7:30 am – 4 pm
