NYC - NYC Policy

8.5 WELFARE AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
The notion that it takes a whole village to raise a child is based on a spirit of humanity encompassing a principle of people caring for each other's well-being within an attitude of mutual support. The impact of colonialism, urban migration and apartheid along with the breakdown of family life has dramatically affected village and community life. As a result, many communities contain young women and men who have been abandoned, abused, neglected or threatened. Young people "at risk" are often alienated from community support structures and their families. Thus, the National Youth Policy encourages the development and maintenance of supportive communities which nurture the growth of its young people.
The welfare of a young person is, therefore, a community responsibility. Whilst government has its role to play, the whole community must find ways to nurture the development of young women and men and to protect vulnerable and most at risk.
TARGET GROUPS
The Department of Welfare has identified the following target groups of young people as those who deserve particular attention:

out-of-school and unemployed young people;
pregnant and teenage mothers, young men and women in dysfunctional families;
young women and men with disabilities;
young people involved in substance abuse;
young offenders, young victims of crime and violence;
homeless young women and men and those who live on the street;
young HIV Positive and AIDS patients;
young people who are sex workers;
young men and women in gangs; and
young returnees.

The National Youth Policy recognises the importance of these young people at risk and the need for programmes and services which are designed to assist these groups. The Department of Welfare's Flagship programme, designed to assist mothers with children under the age of five years, is also recognised as a valuable new programme which addresses the needs of these predominantly young women.
VISION AND OBJECTIVES
The National Youth Policy promotes the development of local communities which provide practical support measures for the development of young people and protects and nurtures vulnerable and disadvantaged young women and men. Self-help and community-owned and managed initiatives are specifically encouraged.
The National Youth Policy addresses the following two objectives which are of primary concern when considering the welfare of young men and women and the communities in which they live, work and study:

to encourage the development of community-based youth development programmes and services; and
to promote the design and implementation of services and facilities and encourage and enhance the use of existing facilities which support young women and men who are at risk, or in danger of coming into risk.

STRATEGIES
In order to address these objectives the following strategic framework is proposed:

promote and support inter-departmental (at central, provincial and local levels), inter-governmental and inter-sectoral collaboration and networking between government departments, the National Youth Commission, non-government organisations and community-based organisations;
increase the accessibility of all services to young women and men;
integrate programmes for young people with special needs with other comprehensive and generic services;
facilitate participation and involvement of young men and women in youth services;
design and develop innovative programmes which are youth-driven and are inclusive of young people with disabilities.

The following strategies are specifically proposed:

8.5.1 Youth information access
Access to information is a key component in addressing the needs of young women and men and their communities. Youth information services should be regionally based and would principally achieve access for young people to information, referrals, advice and assistance on a wide range of issues concerning young people.
A youth-specific information services shall be developed to provide young women and men with access to a wide range of information, support and resource services which can address their particular needs, concerns, problems or opportunities. This information service will be based on a free telephone (0800 number) calling service, where young people in need of assistance can call from anywhere in the country.
The youth information service shall offer information on a wide range of issues including crisis help, health services, employment support programmes, unemployment support services, drug and alcohol advice, emergency services and youth rights.
The development of the youth information service will be preceded by a comprehensive conceptual and feasibility study. This will describe the roles and operational functions of the service along with management and funding considerations. It is anticipated that private sector sponsorship will be used to supplement government funds in the establishment and operations of the service. The National Youth Commission will take prime responsibility for this task.
In addition, the National Youth Commission will investigate the possibility of creating a Youth Card, which provides young people to a wide range of services, information and supports.
8.5.2 Community youth facilities
Many local communities across the country have few or inadequate facilities in which youth development programmes, services and activities can be located. Whilst the National Youth Policy recognises the danger of promoting new facilities which can be expensive to build and which distract limited funds away from support services being provided directly to young women and men, the need for specialised youth facilities in some communities is paramount. In many cases new buildings will not be necessary, since existing ones can be modified and refurbished.
The concept of a multi-purpose youth centre has been broadly accepted as an effective means of drawing together youth-specific services in a local community setting. As the name suggests, a multi-purpose youth centre can accommodate a range of youth-related activities in a "youth-friendly" and accessible location. It is anticipated that these centres would be community owned and managed. They may draw on financial and technical assistance from a range of sources, depending of the activities and programmes undertaken. The roles of local youth development organisations and local government, and the potential for partnerships between these bodies, is particularly important.
The Department of Welfare shall work with the National Youth Commission to develop the concept of a multi-purpose youth centre further and to establish a pilot programme. In all cases, a multi-purpose youth centre, or any other youth facility, shall be based on identified needs whilst maximising the use of existing resources (e.g. buildings, personnel, agencies) where ever possible. It is anticipated that the Department of Welfare will take responsibility for administering a support programme for the development and management of multi-purpose youth centres.
8.5.3 Promotion of community initiatives
Community initiatives which are initiated and driven by young women and men and nurture their development is a fundamental development strategy. Community initiatives can be used to focus on youth health issues, employment and unemployment concerns, as well as general support and counselling services. They can also promote youth leadership training and peer support services. The creation of young womens' forums is also a particularly important form of community initiative which should be encouraged. However, to achieve these types of initiatives, attention must be given to building the capacity of local communities and community-based organisations.
The promotion of community initiatives will involve a dual programme of support. It will firstly require the Department of Welfare, in association with the National Youth Commission, to prepare a programme of support which promotes self-help and community youth development initiatives. This programme will contain information on a wide range of themes including:

community and youth development processes;
ways to identify community and youth needs;
how to plan and manage community initiatives;
support and training to relevant service providers and care-givers; and
resource agencies (where to go to for help).

The second area of promotion shall be undertaken by the National Youth Commission, in association with the Department of Welfare and the South African Youth Council. This will involve the provision of information and training to help youth workers and community development practitioners to become better able to plan, implement and manage community youth development initiatives.