Embrace Life, a community and social economic development initiative, hosted an employment drive in Chapel Road, Lavender Hill, last Wednesday, November 15.
Several unemployed residents signed up to be part of the municipality’s Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP), which helps unemployed people through skills programmes and work experience.
Founder Mark Blake said such initiatives are essential to give people a chance to bolster their CVs and become a part of the work force.
The employment drive was the first of many more to come and it will be rolled-out to other communities including Cafda, Steenberg and Hillview, he said.
Mr Blake said the emphasis of the organisation, which has been operating since 2016, is to restore the dignity of all people living in these communities.
“These communities seem overridden with poverty and social ills but this can be changed through empowerment and personal development programmes, employment seeking opportunities, learnerships and entrepreneur initiatives.”
Ward 110 councillor Shanen Rossouw, who was at the event, commended the initiative and said organisations play a vital role in uplifting and guiding communities.
“I am fully onboard with what the organisation has done in the past and what it still hopes to achieve and I will support them,” she said.
Staff from the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) supported the event and assisted residents with voter information and Standard Bank assisted residents with new bank accounts and financial advice.
To find out more about the organisation, become a volunteer or assist contact Mr Blake on 081 571 6914.
