Homelessness is one of South Africa’s most pressing social challenges, leaving thousands without access to shelter, basic services, or opportunities for change.

At The Star Foundation, we believe that every individual in our society deserves to live a life full of dignity. We’ve partnered with U-Turn Homeless ministries to support their proven Life Change Journey – a four-phase programme that offers individuals living on the streets a pathway out of homelessness and toward employment and independence4.those who live on the street a pathway out of homelessness and towards employment and independence.

Over the last 25 years, U-turn has crafted an innovative skills-based programme to overcome homelessness, designed by a multidisciplinary team of Occupational Therapists, Social workers, homeless support workers, counsellors, trainers and life coaches.

Our partnership focuses on the first two- and most critical – phases of this journey, which U-turn operates out of dedicated ”Homeless Service Centres.” As the point of first contact with homeless individuals, these centres offer a safe space where they can begin their journey off the streets.

The Service Centres are sites where basic services are provided to meet the needs of those who need them most. Food, clothing, and hygiene services are available to clients while professional teams of therapeutic specialists offer group and individual counselling designed to build motivation in homeless clients to make the necessary life and behavioural changes needed to enrol further in homeless recovery support.

The Star Foundation is investing nearly R2 million in 2025 to fund the annual operations of two U-Turn Homeless Service Centres in Cape Town: The Claremont (Powerhouse) Centre and the Strand Centre. These centres provide safe, supportive spaces where individuals receive trauma counselling, skills training, and structured support to enable, build, and restore dignity among the most vulnerable in our communities.