#bethefamily
Everyone deserves somewhere to belong.
Life Changer is a Pietermaritzburg-based Christian organisation working alongside people experiencing homelessness and vulnerable children to restore dignity, rebuild connection and help people find their way back to family, community and hope. Born out of a simple revelation that we don't get to choose the family into which we are born, our work aims to build a centre where, even if for only a few hours a day, a person experiencing homelessness can come to feel the support and provision of home.
We don't believe people are projects to be fixed or problems to be managed. We believe that lasting change happens in relationship; that the opposite of addiction is not sobriety but belonging, and that the only real Life Changer is Jesus.
We also believe that this is a mandate given to THE church and not just A single church. And so our work is a testimony to partnership with several churches within the city, all coming together in this space.
We show up. We listen. We build trust. And we walk alongside people as they take steps towards something better.
From the streets to the care system, our work is rooted in one simple belief:
WE ALL NEED FAMILY.
WE ALL NEED A PLACE TO FEEL SAFE.
At Life Changer, we are guided by the scripture verse: The Lord sets the lonely in families. (Psalm 68:8) We believe it's up to us to be that family.
#bethefamily
2017
Year we
started
20+
partner churches, business and NPOs
82
average number of clients assisted each day
3
areas of impact
why we're different
Three focus areas that make our mission unique.
Presence, not handouts
We show up on the street with shared meals and real relationships — "we see them" — not a once-off food drop. Every client who visits our centre is encouraged to linger and connect.
Prevention, before the street
We support children in care, and CYCCs develop workable exit strategies for children. This way, fewer young people age out into homelessness in the first place.
Partnership, not competition
We believe in working together for a singular cause - helping those living on our streets finding a way back to community, belonging and purpose.
our approach
A summary of the ways we support our street-based friends.
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Street Outreach
Meals, prayer, worship, and connection with people living on our streets. This is a weekly practice. Friends we meet on the street are invited to attend our development programmes which run at the resource centre.
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Building Community
Our resource centre offers a space where our unhoused friends can feel seen, safe and supported. Skills development programs lead to psycho-social support work, which help our clients towards the path to recovery.
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The Life Boat vouchers form a currency for our clients. They can receive them from the public or earn them through programme participation. Once they have a voucher in hand, it is currency at our resource centre and can be used for clothing, cosmetics, haircuts or other services.