Youth Café to launch online pilot | Western Cape Government

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Youth Café to launch online pilot

17 June 2020

In celebration of youth month, the Provincial Minister of Social Development welcomes a new pilot which will see the ongoing development of young people, while minimizing the risk of the spread of Covid 19.

Since the start of the national lockdown, and in compliance with Covid 19 Regulations, all Youth Cafés have had to close their doors. But the pilot will see a group of participants from the Garden Route municipal areas receive online training and virtual support from Youth Café staff.

Registered participants will be collected at home and undergo a two-day orientation programme at the Youth Café. Strict protocols, including the screening of young people and Youth Café staff, the use of personal protective equipment, and social distancing will be adhered to. Participants will be temporarily issued with tools such as tablets and the requisite software in order to complete the online training from home. At the completion of the course, the equipment must be returned to the Youth Café.

“Covid 19 has, in a very short space of time, revolutionized places of work. Without exception, we have all had to reinvent the way we conduct ourselves, our businesses, and the way we deliver services to our beneficiaries,” says Minister Fernandez.

More than 22 000 young people have accessed various youth development services during the last financial year. Young people have also been able to access a number of other services offered by the Department at Child and Youth Care Centres, during youth drug treatment programmes, via the provision of psychosocial support to Chrysalis Academy students, as well as youth diversion programmes.