A new source of funding is expanding efforts to assist ‘at risk’ teens to live a drug and crime-free life. The newly formed Family Help and Support Foundation is currently adding further reach and sustainability to Dr. David Allen’s programme: ‘The Family: People Helping People’ programme, that facilitates community help clinics for the inner-city emotionally distressed.
Andrew Law, co-founder with Mrs. Sally Van Tooren, of the Family Help and Support Foundation said that they are currently helping facilitate a particularly successful programme already in progress, an off shoot of Dr. David Allen’s ‘The Family.’
“We are currently providing additional financial aid to a grass-roots group run by Mark Beckford and William Lunn in the Carmichael Road area,” said Mr. Law.
“Every day they are working their help programme to an identified group of nearly 200 young men between the ages of 8 and 17.
Two and three mornings a week they are welcomed by the faculty and students at SC McPherson and PA Thomson schools. Leadership and ongoing help and encouragement mixed with life-skill lessons, help the kids stay crime-free,” explained Mr. Law.
“These public-humanity programmes work,” said Mrs. Van Tooren. “We will continue to raise money to facilitate these dedicated grass-roots groups that reach and positively affect a generation currently preyed upon by established neighbourhood gangs pushing crime and drugs as a way of life.” Mrs. Van Tooren added that she was very grateful to the people who had given funds to date.
“Obviously, we couldn’t do any this without our generous donors, people who believe in being proactive in their desire to help where needed in the community.”
Mark Beckford, a former gang leader runs the programme assisted by William Lunn, a one-time ‘lost soul’ who attributes his recovery to a personal spiritual awakening.
“We’ve been there, we’ve lived the horrors, so our mission, our passion is to save these boys the agonies of addiction and all the social ramifications it brings,” said Mark Beckford. “It’s continual mentoring, nurturing and building of their trust; it’s about helping them develop hope and belief in the future and the desire to learn a trade and become a useful member of society.”
In addition to the visits each week, Mark runs classes for students about to be suspended from school. He works to get them back on track; listens to their problems, talk’s conflict resolution and saves many who may otherwise fall through the cracks and prove easy prey for gang recruitment.
Basketball is a recurring team activity twice in the week and on Sundays. Before the game, Mark and William run a de-briefing and open counselling session on the court, either at Christie Park or the Carmichael Road Police Station grounds. Sunday they are indoors at the AF Adderley Gym, following morning service at Christ Community Church.
“These kids share any problems and we discuss how best to manage. They learn they are not alone and have a network of reliable like-minded friends,” said William Lunn.
All year the kids have been hoping that their Basketball training efforts will end with a championship season and grand finale, and thanks to the Family Help and Support Foundation, July 27th through August 7th has been set for the championship run. We are all grateful and excited about the tournament; it gives everyone something to look forward to.” -
Mr. Law and Mrs. Van Tooren have provided new equipment, uniforms, and trophies and arranged for the daily cold drinks, snacks and other catering needs. Dr. David Allen, founder and driving force behind the Family said, "We are deeply indebted to Mrs. Van Tooren and Mr. Andrew Law for their vision and belief in what can be achieved, and with their commitment to fund raising.”
#40 Team shot
Andrew Law and Sally Van Tooren co-founders of the ‘Family Help and Support Foundation’ have provided new equipment, uniforms, and trophies and arranged for the daily cold drinks, for a Carmichael Road area Basketball Team’s tournament and championship games. Planned activities, counselling and leadership help the youngsters stay on the straight and narrow and in-school. Centre: l to r: Mark Beckford, Andrew Law, William Lunn, Sally Van Tooren and David Allen. Serena Williams P.R.
Small group
The ‘Family Help and Support Foundation’ is funding some of the activities of a group of young men in the Carmichael Road area. Under the guidance of Mark Beckford and with the help of other civic minded organizations, the basketball team is preparing for a 2 week tournament and on August 7th a championship game. Planned summer activities are a part of an overall programme to help keep kids physically and emotionally safe. L to R: Mark Beckford, Dr. David Allen, team player Dimaggio, Family Help and Support Foundation founders: Andrew Law and Sally Van Tooren, William Lunn, basketball camp assistant.
