Metro Evangelical Services

Metro Evangelical Services (MES) is a community-based Christian organization and NPO that began its work in 1986 and is based in the inner city of Johannesburg, Hillbrow. MES seeks to “change the heart of the city” by offering a variety of services to address to problems of homelessness and poverty in the inner city. MES has 4 strategic areas of concentration: basic care and support; housing; health; education, training and job creation.

To this end MES provides a wide range of services including: food, clothing and blanket distribution; hygiene facilities; counseling; guardianship and diversion programmes; family preservation programmes; elderly support services; several shelters; home-based care; health promotion and education; a clinic for ARV rollout and HIV testing and counseling; 2 preschools; skills training programmes; a job placement centre; and 3 after-school centres.

MES’ clients are given individual assessments and a development plan is drawn up for them. The organization runs help desks and are referred by other NGOs in the community. This is made possible through partnerships with the Departments of Social Services, Health, Public Works and Housing, a number of NGOs, the Universities of Johannesburg and Witwatersrand, the Hospice Palliative Care Association, Aurum Health Institute and the Christian Social Counsel and others that support MES through funding, networking, provision of social workers etc.

Innovation

MES has developed a model of service that the community is able to access from different points at different locations. For each person an individual development plan is drafted and their needs are addressed through the wide variety of services offered by the MES. MES acts as a one-stop centre for the homeless and destitute of the inner city and its many partnerships with both government and other organizations ensure maximum impact.

Effectiveness

MES has been successful in providing services to the needy in the inner city of Johannesburg. In 2006/2007, MES accommodated 234 persons/month through its housing options, treated 363 persons/month at an outpatient unit, recorded 773 visits to the ART clinic, employed 13 persons/month at job-creation project, placed 380 people through the job placement centre, cared for 185 children/month at its crèches, provided activities for 120 children/month who attended the after-school centres, supplied 542 meals/day, supplied 851 blankets, and assisted Emergency Services in 6 disaster situations. MES assesses client satisfaction through input in suggestion boxes, client meetings and satisfaction surveys. The most recent satisfaction survey showed that 80% of clients were very satisfied with the services provided by MES. In 2001, its programmes—the Othandweni youth shelter and Ekuthuleni Transitional Housing option—won an Impumelelo award. Impumelelo nominated MES for the Dubai International Awards in 2001. MES also made the final shortlist of 6 for the Premier Award for Service Excellence in partnership with the Department of Social Services. Three of its staff members are finalists for the GIBS Social Entrepreneur Award. In addition, MES launched a sister company, Madulamoho Housing Association, in November 2004. Among its weaknesses, MES lacks a central computerized client database and a drug rehabilitation programme. MES currently has 148 full-time staff and 15 young people who work as volunteers. 85% MES’ staff are drawn from the local community.

Poverty Impact

MES increases the quality of life of the poor inner-city residents by offering services that address issues of food security, hygiene, housing, literacy, skills dvelopment, employment, health and guidance. MES tells me the story of one women, Princess Adams, 27 and her struggle to give her 3 year-old twins a better life. Princess met with Merriam, an MES youth worker who helped with her finances in order to go and fetch her children who were living in unpleasant conditions with their unemployed father in the Free State. Merriam helped Princess to find accommodation and a job at one of the MES crèches. Princess is now happily reunited with her children and able to provide for them.

Sustainability

In 2007, MES spent R13, 730,176 on its operations. MES’ cost-effectiveness is clear by its ability to provide 3 meals/day at R12, accommodation at R6/day and by the fact that it receives a number of in-kind donations from various organizations. 37% of MES’ funding comes from government, 10% from foreign investors, 23% from corporations, 11% from community contributions, 6% from the Church, 12% from individuals, and 1% from Sundry. Funding agreements are made for 3 years. The only financial challenged that has been faced by MES is late payment of subsidies by government which forced them to make a loan from the Church.

Replication

MES has already been approached by Bloemfontein, Port Elizabeth and Bellville to replicate its model. One of the challenges is to adapt model to fit each city’s specific needs and unique characteristics. The biggest challenge to replication is funding. A large population would make the MES model more effective and it would be best replicated in an inner-city setting.

Partnerships

Department of Social Services (funding)

Department of Health (funding and exchange services)
Department of Public Works (lease agreements)
Department of Housing (funding)
Johannesburg City Council (exchange services)
Christian Social Council (supervision of social workers)
National, Gauteng and Johannesburg Alliances for Street Children (networking)
University of Witwatersrand (social work and therapy students)
University of Johannesburg (exchange services)
Hospice Palliative Care Association of South Africa (network)
Masasane Undertakers (funeral services)
Aurum Health Institute (ARV rollout)
Big Shoes (paediatric services)
Madulamoho Housing Association (affordable accommodation)
Equal Health (doctors and dentists)

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