Our inspiration and guiding spirit
Grahame passed
away in October
2005 and left us
with an outline
of a vision that
was in due
course to become
WorkNow!
His t-shirt
refers to Chris
Hani as the
people's hero.
Grahame was a
hero himself to
many in Hout Bay
- his memory
will live long
and our project
will forever be
dedicated to his
massive
personailty and
energy.
Viva Grahame
Graham-Parker
Project Management
Julie Sanders joined the WorkNow! team in late 2008 to set up and manage our training program. Julie was an obvious choice to fill the project management position when Michelle Boulanger resigned due to other work commitments.
Michelle Boulanger joined Worknow as project manager in May 2008 and led WorkNow through a difficult period of business expansion. Michelle remains involved with the project as a member of the organisaton.
"My background is sales, marketing, management, creative directing and interior design. After managing a business in JNB for 15 years, the decision to move the Cape was a necessary lifestyle one. I had always wanted to be more involved in the community, however, managing a business, corporate hours and raising two boys left little time for community work. Commuting home from JNB to CT one evening, I sat next to a Missionary who offered to take me into the community where he worked. With more time on my hands living in the Cape, I started working with a homeless shelter in Langa and then with an orphanage on Mitchells Plain. I was approached in May 2008 to join the WorkNow! Team as a consultant. The work is rewarding and I’ve learnt a great deal about our communities. I am often moved by the courage of our people, the commitment of our staff and our directors and the generosity within communities such as Hout Bay. Just recently a gardener whom we had placed with an American family told me “Thank you, I can now hold my head up, my family respects me again.” These are the moments that make all our efforts worthwhile!!
Charles Edwards joined Worknow as project manager in early 2008 and is based at our Fish Hoek office.
The team
Front (left to right) : Crystal Warries, Janine Windvogel, Sherita Williams, Denise Bowers, MIchelle Boulanger,
Back : Tania Kleinhans, Rozina Groenewald
Not Pictured : Charles Edwards
.
Paul Cooley is a labour lawyer with experience advising employers in Australia, the United Kingdom and South Africa. Paul assists employers with employment documentation, workplace policies, performance management processes, disciplinary hearings and CCMA claims. He also provides human resources advice, conducts workplace conflict mediations, facilitates group meetings of employees and trains on workplace issues. Further information on Paul's services can be found at www.workplacestrategies.co.za and he be contacted at paul@workplacestrategies.co.za.
The four non executive directors stepped in to keep Worknow afloat after the sudden death of the projects founder Graham Grahame Parker in 2005. All directors live in Hout Bay, Cape Town. Directors do not receive any renumeration.
David Sanders - "I was introduced to the positive aspects of life in the townships by Grahame Graham Parker. They are a vibrant thriving integral part of Hout Bay. When he passed away I was privileged to attend his memorial service with my wife & children inside Imizamo Yethu, organized by his friends & colleagues to celebrate his work helping the "previously disadvantaged" from that moment I became committed to making sure his work carried on and was grateful I had the opportunity to meet him. WorkNow is just one project that can make a real difference to our community and help Hout Bay become the place most people believe it is. Imizamo Yethu is a place with hope where people have modest aspirations – I would like to help them to achieve those aspirations through employment opportunities
Jeremy Rich - "When I arrived in Hout Bay I was amazed how well the three communities managed to coexist but appalled at how my neighbours were living in such abject poverty. My initial reaction was to want to roll up my sleeves and build houses. A prominent local told me "You can't build a house for someone if they can't afford to pay for it" and convinced me that creating work is the key. I work closely with HBNW and SAPS and I am also convinced that addressing unemployment is a long term solution for addressing crime. I believe WorkNow will play a major role in creating work and that the Hout Bay operation will pave the way for similar initiatives elsewhere."
Neale Smither - "For me, WorkNow has given me an opportunity to put something back into the Community that I live in, and to demonstrate that South Africa's issues are challenges that can be overcome rather than problems to despair about. My goal is to make a small contribution to giving some pride back to some of my fellow men and women in Hout Bay, so that I can live in this beautiful place with a greater peace of mind - and hopefully so can they."
Tom Purcell - "I got to know Grahame Graham-Parker 3 years ago and was taken with his commitment and energy for the pressing social issues in Hout Bay. Along with the other three directors, I was determined that the Community Employment Initiative should not fold upon Grahame's death and therefore promised to do what I could to see that it continued and prospered. Employment of any kind and for however many days gives people hope and purpose. I believe that the relaunched and rebranded WorkNow! can play an important role in empowering the unemployed of our valley."
WorkNow is a Section 21 (not for profit) organisation.
As a non
profit we
are always
seeking
support from
organisations
and
individuals
in our
community.
If you would
like to help
in any way
please
contact
Michelle at
michelle@worknow.org.za
We thank the
following
organisations.
The
Department
of Social
Development
Riverstone
Matt Mercer
Real Estate
First
National
Bank
Hap Ads
The Bay Ads
Cape
Waterfront
Estates
Fairheads
Trust
Hout Bay
Stationers
M&C
Computers
Design
80:20:
Sijonga-Phambili
Adult
Education
Centre
University
of Cape Town
We also
thank the
following
individuals
for
generously
giving their
time,
commitment,
skill and
enthusiasm
to this
project
Angela Sayer-Farley
Peter Knight
Adam Ismail
and Nadia
Noor
Leonie
Mollentze