Newsletters

Dear WorkNow! Partners,

As the cold sets in, so we are delighted to cheer you with some heart-warming news. In the first 5 months of this year, through your willingness to support those less well-off in our community, WorkNow! has created 1 million Rand worth of income for those otherwise unemployed in Hout Bay. And that's not to mention the boost in pride and self-esteem that your act of offering employment has created. Thank you!

Over the past few months, WorkNow! has been involved in a host of exciting projects within the Hout Bay and Llandudno communities. Through our connections with Rotary, we supplied 18 marshals for the Argus Cycle Tour in March and a further 7 for the Two Oceans Marathon in April. April also saw us joining forces with the Ladder Ladies, an-all women painting team. The Ladder Ladies were contracted to repaint the Sentinel Junior School and needed additional help for such a big project. Unfortunately, we could not supply sufficient ladies for the project, but we believe our WorkNow! males behaved in a most exemplary manner!

In the retail world, Woolworths took on another batch of employees, from floor assistants to replenishers and bakers, bringing the total number of employees at Woolworths to 20. Many of you may have noticed the brand new Steers on Victoria Avenue. They have been keen employers through WorkNow! and have taken on grillers, cleaners and counterhands - 14 people in total. Enjoy their delicious burgers, knowing you are contributing at another level to reducing unemployment in our valley!

In fact, since the beginning of the project in August 2006 we have found work for 275 people. 65% of the workdays created have become full-time. WorkNow! is funded by the Department of Social Development, and so far in 2007 we can proudly report to you, our partners, that together we have generated R11 of income for our workers for every R1 invested in the project.

However, the WorkNow! Team has to start thinking of a more self-sufficient future. Our funding from the Government is only guaranteed to 2008; thereafter we might be on our own. Already, our costs are running above our funding allowance. Therefore, we want to build some funding now to secure the future of WorkNow! We would be grateful for any donations to the project that you might think appropriate.

For example, if everyone donated just 10% of their monthly payments to WorkNow!, we would gather sufficient funding to keep us going for another year! If you have been happy with the service rendered by our staff and feel so inclined, we would be grateful for any donation to our WorkNow! account at FNB (branch code 204-009), Account No: 62052818683.

On behalf of the 275 people who have had been offered work that would otherwise not have happened, thank you for your continued support.

Dear WorkNow Partners,

As the custodians of the WorkNow project, we would like to thank you for your support so far in creating employment opportunities for the less well-off in our community. Through your generosity of spirit, and willingness to enable a better future for Hout Bay, we are very pleased to report that since the WorkNow project formally kicked off in August last year you have assisted in creating work for over 200 of our neighbours and enabled them to earn collectively a total of R880,000 of income that would not have been possible otherwise. And that's not to mention the boost in pride and self-esteem that your act of offering employment has created. Thank you!

But we still have a long way to go. This year, WorkNow is hoping to reach an even greater number of the unemployed through the project. We have interviewed over 400 men and women, young and not so young, who are fit for work. As valued Partners, you have a key role to play in spreading the word about what we do. By doing so, you might just make the difference between a week of hope and a week of despair for one of our local residents.

We will keep you updated on a monthly basis through this communication, and once again thank you for your support and willingness to make a difference in this beautiful place where we all live.