The Cape Town Central City Improvement District (CCID) has appointed a new manager to head its Social Development portfolio and chart a new course for addressing homelessness in the Cape Town CBD.
Following the retirement of its long-standing Social Development manager Pat Eddy, in August the CCID handed her mantle to Tara Gerardy to lead its all-important Social Development department, which works closely and collaborates with several inner-city NGOs in a concerted and combined effort to improve the lives of the CBD's homeless population.
Gerardy is a seasoned professional with 12 years' experience in the social development sector. She has a post-graduate diploma in addictions treatment from the University of Cape Town and has vast experience in developing and implementing substance abuse programmes.
Before joining the CCID, Gerardy was a national project manager at TB HIV Care, one of the CCID's NGO partners, where she headed the People Who Inject Drugs (PWID) programme.
Gerardy, a pioneer in the harm reduction field, was at the forefront of establishing drop-in centres that offer psychosocial and other services to marginalised people. Her experience has also enabled her to establish important stakeholder relationships.
WEALTH OF EXPERIENCE
“Tara has a wealth of experience in her field and is no stranger to the CCID’s work. We are pleased to welcome her to the organisation, and look forward to working with her to continue to find sustainable solutions for the CBD’s homeless community and to enhance our Social Development department which has, over the years, grown in stature and reputation,” says CCID CEO Tasso Evangelinos.
Gerardy sees her role at the CCID as an opportunity to create and develop services and programmes in a bid to assist the homeless to move off the street and have a better life. She plans on expanding the department's existing programmes and is keen to build on the excellent foundation laid by Eddy, who established the department and managed it for over 13 years.
Tara Gerardy has been appointed to head the CCID's Social Development department.
HOMELESSNESS IS NOT A CHOICE
Gerardy believes that unpacking and understanding the issues surrounding homelessness is key to addressing them holistically.
“Homelessness is not a choice. The hardships, shame, and prejudice that come with living on the street make it challenging. Influences such as substance misuse, mental illness, poor physical health, and the lack of empowerment opportunities are all contributing factors to the poor behaviour often displayed. By changing our approach and treating these people like human beings with dignity, we have the opportunity to make a real difference,” Gerardy explains.
The CCID’s new Social Development manager has high praise for her team, comprising social worker Sameegah Hoffmeyer and field workers Headman Sirala-rala and Mark Williams, and their accomplishments and reputation in the sector, as well as the department's programmes and partnerships.
“The PEP Initiative, which is a work rehabilitation project on the Foreshore in collaboration with Khulisa Social Solutions’ Streetscapes, and the psychosocial/biomedical programmes related to organisations such as TB HIV Care, which give treatment to substance abusers, are excellent examples of what is required. These are positive developments and areas for further improvement,” she concludes.
IMAGES: CCID
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