Callas Foundation

About Us

Callas Foundation (the Foundation) is a community-driven organisation that has been serving communities of Athlone (Bridgetown) in the Western Cape for over three decades. Formally registered with the South African Department of Social Development in 2018, they have collaborated with various stakeholders in and outside of the province where they operate, including athletics bodies, civic organisations, health institutions, and government departments such as the National Prosecuting Authority, Legal Aid South Africa, Department of Health, and Department of Social Development. The main mission is to improve the quality of life for residents in their underserved areas by providing access to resources and opportunities. 

The Foundation advocate for women, children, and men by providing community outreach, psychosocial support, and access to justice, aiming to dismantle systems that perpetuate inequality. While their primary focus is on empowering women, they also adopt an integrated approach that addresses the needs of the entire community. Their programmes focus on creating sustainable communities, preventing and responding to gender-based violence, strengthening food security, and promoting family unity as a key factor in combating gender-based violence.

Key Focus Area

The Foundation focuses on creating a safer and more empowered community by addressing the root causes of Gender-Based Violence (GBV), providing support and care including education, and engaging with the most vulnerable members of society. The organisational key focus areas include:

• Access to Justice: Assisting survivors of GBV and their families in navigating the criminal justice system, ensuring awareness of their rights and understanding of legal processes.
• Court Support: Providing emotional support to survivors during court proceedings, explaining legal processes, and offering physical presence to reduce anxiety and stress.
• Psychosocial Support: Offering counselling, support groups, assessments, and referrals to support services to help survivors heal from trauma and achieve improved outcomes.
• Community Outreach: Making a difference through outreach programmes, including a community kitchen providing daily meals to 500 individuals, addressing food insecurity and GBV intersection.
• Youth Engagement: Educating and inspiring youth to become changemakers in the fight against GBV through awareness campaigns, life skills training, and practical initiatives.

Through these programmes, they are dedicated to creating a safer and more empowered community, addressing the intersection between food insecurity and GBV, and empowering individuals and families to break the cycle of poverty and build a brighter future. 

Impact and Achievements 

The Foundation tackles GBV by providing training to 240 community leaders and neighbourhood watch members, equipping them with skills to recognize and respond to GBV cases. Initiatives like court support, psychosocial assistance, and a daily community kitchen serving 500 meals address GBV’s intersection with poverty. Youth engagement programmes focus on awareness and life skills, empowering change from early stages. Collaborations with SAPS, community forums, and shelters foster holistic support networks, creating a safer, more resilient community while breaking the cycle of violence.