The George Municipality’s Youth Offices in Uniondale and Haarlem have had a successful year. To date, 4 670 youth have been assisted with job applications, tertiary applications, business registrations and more.
According to Jeffrey van Wyk, Youth Coordinator of Uniondale and Youth Officer, Christal Jansen, a number of different projects are initiated throughout the year to achieve the George Council’s goal of youth development.
Walk-ins to the Youth Offices are given assistance in compiling CV’s, with referrals, enquiries regarding government departments. There is also work related queries as well as learner support with assignments. Consequently, this has led to a number of young people successfully registering at tertiary institutions.
The office is involved with training and development in conjunction with the Department of Labour to get the youth job ready and also to be registered on the department’s database.
Youth Offices assists George Municipality in various projects
The Youth Office also assists during municipal jamboree’s. That is when the services of the municipality are taken to the community on specific dates.
The Adopt a Granny programme has been fully rolled out in the rural areas of Uniondale and Haarlem. The Youth office assisted more than 236 old people in the Uniondale, Ongelegen, Avontuur, Noll, Eseljacht and Haarlem areas during the past year.
Some of the programmes include pampering sessions, assisting at homes, motivational sessions, door to door visits and special meals on special days like Christmas.
Another successful project has been the motivational sessions held for disabled people. Importantly the sessions have been taken to those unable to attend a central venue.
Van Wyk says young people are faced with different social issues specifically over weekends. Thus, the office has started a weekend programme showing youth friendly motivational movies.
More projects such as parent-child evenings, talent shows and fun and games are also planned for the youngsters.
