Souper Troopers, a Cape Town-based homeless advocacy and support non-profit organisation, was able to create 25 jobs this year for homeless individuals, many of whom have substance abuse issues.

This was made possible with much-needed funding from the City of Cape Town through Khulisa Social Services, which has been put on hold due to unforeseen internal circumstances at the City.

“Our ‘Souper Squad’ has been hard at work, over the past 10 months, beautifying public spaces in under-resourced communities by planting, painting, growing, clearing, decorating,” says Kerry Hoffman, Executive Director of Souper Troopers.  

“While working individually and as a group, the workers have also focused on personal development, recovery from addiction, life skills and creative pursuits, with the help of Souper Troopers’ dynamic fieldwork team.” 

To keep the program, which has been a roaring success, alive Souper Troopers has launched a crowdfunding campaign on BackaBuddy to fill their funding gap until they receive their renewal funding later this year.

“Without support, I fear all the progress our workers have made will be undone, their steps to find accommodation will be derailed, they will struggle to stay off of their substances they were dependent upon and reconciliation with their families will be halted,” says Hoffman.

The program costs about R100 000pm to run smoothly over the anticipated two month gap in funding. Thus far almost R50 000 has been raised (through kind contributions on BackaBuddy), which will be used to cover the psychosocial developmental services needed to help the workers continue on their paths towards independence and their wages.

The program has impacted so many lives:

• 25 of the workers have opened bank accounts and have ID documents 
• 25 of the workers are able to send money home to their families every month.
• 25 of the workers have achieved the goals they have set for themself.
• 22 of the workers are now clean and are no longer using the substances they were addicted to.
• 20 of the workers no longer live on the streets of Cape Town.
• 8 of the workers have managed to save for their future. 

In their own words:

"Before joining the Souper Squad, I lived on the streets, and my life was about crime and drugs. I spent my life in and out of jail. I was tired of that life. Working for Souper Troopers has changed my life: I don't do drugs anymore, I don't live on the streets, and I think positive thoughts. I am scared that I will fall, go to jail, do the crime again, and that's the life I don't want to go back to again." Jonathan

"Souper Troopers helped me when I was retrenched. I was in a bad state, stressed out. Being part of the Souper Squad has helped me become more open; it has been a restoration for me because I have managed to feel alive again, be positive, and look forward to bigger and better things. My biggest fear is returning to the streets again and not having someplace to call home." Christopher

"At Souper Troopers, these people are not like people who only come to work; they are there for everything for help, in every department. The way they use their words, the word 'family'. This is beautiful. For me, I can say I am a success. Not from my old life. I'm talking about the period from when I started here until now. That period is the success." Kaya

Support this campaign on BackaBuddy: https://www.backabuddy.co.za/help-our-souper-squad-thrive

Alternatively, donate via Snapscan: https://pos.snapscan.io/qr/SouperTroopers

*All donors are eligible for a Section 18a tax certificate issued by the Souper Troopers

 ​​Press release for immediate distribution: For more information, please contact Zane Groenewald- 082 602 0735 - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.