Our History
In 1985 in a joint effort between Magistrate Hennie Strydom of Germiston children’s court and social welfare combined with the Germiston business and commerce committee, an outreach project was started to try to uplift youths socially with guidance counseling, and give children of all races, genders, faith and languages a second chance.
This started in the Germiston community hall on weekends, grew with enthusiasm, evenings where included, We become aware that the amount of youths roaming the area with no homes or support from family or friends we adopted the buddy system from overseas where a child showing prospects was looked after by a member of the business council or social worker, this was not enough.
The stories from Girls and Boys in the project itself became one of the most heart-warming tales of human Endeavour of the 20th Century. It is a story of faith, courage, and compassion = this captured the imagination of the world and changed the way South Africans looked and cared for their challenged youth.
In 1985 in a joint effort between Magistrate Hennie Strydom of Germiston children’s court and social welfare combined with the Germiston business and commerce committee, an outreach project was started to try to uplift youths socially with guidance counseling, and give children of all races, genders, faith and languages a second chance.
This started in the Germiston community hall on weekends, grew with enthusiasm, evenings where included, We become aware that the amount of youths roaming the area with no homes or support from family or friends we adopted the buddy system from overseas where a child showing prospects was looked after by a member of the business council or social worker, this was not enough.
The stories from Girls and Boys in the project itself became one of the most heart-warming tales of human Endeavour of the 20th Century. It is a story of faith, courage, and compassion = this captured the imagination of the world and changed the way South Africans looked and cared for their challenged youth.
Norman house and Boys Town where as accommodating as possible yet the project kept expanding in youths from all over Transvaal, by word of mouth, Most of them arrive here with shattered dreams, sick at heart and often in body too. Some having been physically or sexually abused, neglected, or abandoned. Some came from broken or poverty-stricken homes, or where doing badly at school, have discipline issues, reject authority, and lack social skills.
|
In 1986 an established businessman Mr. John Logan who had been working part time with the project took a team of boys to the comrades, Afterwards found out he had a hereditary spinal disease worsened by a major vehicle accident shortly afterward, Confined to a wheel chair. Magistrate Strydom recommended Mr. Logan to enter into the project full time and the project grew with more social workers and parents taking an active daily interest.
|
The project took a major step into child care, skills development, and life orientation.
In 1987 Mr. John Logan took over as deputy principle and included ABET (adult basic education training) life skills, computer literacy to the programs.
During late 1987 an increased demand for facilities offering care to children with intellectual disabilities and lack of education, and so the training center was born and the project changed to focus on new facilities for children and young adults.
In 1990 our official name changed to “Youth Life Skills Training Centre” and MR. Logan took over as principle from his years of experience and being a subject matter expert.
In 1987 Mr. John Logan took over as deputy principle and included ABET (adult basic education training) life skills, computer literacy to the programs.
During late 1987 an increased demand for facilities offering care to children with intellectual disabilities and lack of education, and so the training center was born and the project changed to focus on new facilities for children and young adults.
In 1990 our official name changed to “Youth Life Skills Training Centre” and MR. Logan took over as principle from his years of experience and being a subject matter expert.
In 1994 things changed in South Africa, we thought for the best but this was not the case as we were advised that our funding was getting budget cuts and we would have to start raising alternative funding for the future.
|
In 1998 the training centre was offered and moved from from the “existing “home No 1 power street, Germiston, to the two story Bennie Goldberg’s Building, Louis Botha Ave, in Kew next to Alexander, re registered as a Non Government Organization, Here sponsors donated and installed various machines to suit current industry, rehabilitation and skills training becoming the upmost importance and again our funding from government was reduced.
|
In 2004 after an armed robbery and hold up at the training centre causing undue stress and trauma to the learners it was decided to move to a small holdings as we need more secure surroundings and extra ground space for sports activities. We moved into No 79 A Oilifontsfontien road, Glen Austin, Midrand.
In 2007 Mr Logan (member) brought and set-up S.A. Timber & Recovery cc with all the milling machines from Misty timbers and arranged with Forestry Industries Education and Training Authority for funding grants and individual bursaries for any child/learner interested in forestry skills programs.
In 2010 the training centre having become too small and various sponsors requesting to add on abused women and children into their rehabilitation and place of safety, and introduce new training system for girls was looking to move or add on once again into the future, another step forward for South African youth care. |
Dept of agriculture and forestry intimated that a small farm holding, that included animals and live stock i.e. (pigs, chickens, sheep, and cows) and basic farming systems/methods should be incorporated into the skills programs also deriving the benefit of fresh farm produce into the training facility.
The training centre is a continuous ongoing developing structure of quality management systems to improve and rectify the youth of our country and will forever be in the forefront engaging in forward thinking and new methods.
If you have a heart, wish to get involved or support one of our many internal projects.
(Click Here.)
The training centre is a continuous ongoing developing structure of quality management systems to improve and rectify the youth of our country and will forever be in the forefront engaging in forward thinking and new methods.
If you have a heart, wish to get involved or support one of our many internal projects.
(Click Here.)