About us
CMR (Caring, Mentoring & Restoring) is a Non-Profit Organization that stands up for children in Port Elizabeth, South Africa! We care for and protect children in need and those at risk of any form of neglect or abuse Striving for a holistic approach to social welfare in Port Elizabeth, CMR PE renders professional support to fortify vulnerable families in the overall interests of child protection and care. CMR’s approach to this, is to focus on the preservation of families – keeping children protected and cared for within the nucleus of stable families and communities.
Why are we doing this?
Because Child Maltreatment exists and is escalating!
It is defined as the abuse and neglect that occurs to children under 18 years of age. It includes all types of physical and/or emotional ill-treatment, sexual abuse, neglect, negligence and commercial or other exploitation – often by the people they trust and love the most – their families.
In 2018 statistics released in SA revealed that:
- 41% of all reported rape cases from the past 3 years involved children;
- More than 2,600 children were murdered and tens of thousands of babies abandoned across the country.
Many children in Port Elizabeth are suffering and need someone to speak up on their behalf!
What are we doing?
In Port Elizabeth, CMR-PE addresses the issues of child protection by focusing on building healthy families by providing Family Preservation and Child Protection Services.
In the past financial year we have provided essential protective and restorative services to over 1000 families – keeping children protected and cared for within the nucleus of stable families and/or caring communities.
Our Primary aim is in line with the World Health Organisation which states that preventing child maltreatment before it starts is possible, but it requires a multi-sectoral approach. And that ongoing care of children and families can reduce the risk of maltreatment occurring or reoccurring. Breaking the vicious cycle and sad legacy of abuse which perpetuates from generation to generation.
Our cores & values
Freedom
It includes the possibility to grow and develop free from harm and exploitation.
Justice
It includes access to loving care and nurturance.
Safety
All children have an absolute right to a safe, permanent, stable home which provides basic levels of nurturance and care, and is free from abuse, neglect and exploitation.
Love
Children are entitled to grow up as part of a loving family whom are able to provide in their needs during childhood and the years beyond childhood.
Family
It is best for children, where possible, to be brought up by their own birth family.
Stability
Children who need out-of-home placement should always be placed in the least restrictive, most home-like environment, as close to their own homes as possible.
Care
The overriding prescriptive norm is to always act in the best interests of the child.
What we do
- Is aimed towards the protection of children.
- Is family-centred.
- Promotes permanence for children.
- Focuses on developing and building capacity of caregivers and communities.
- Specializes in child focused service delivery.
- Provides a child with a family and a home to call his or her own.
- Ensures that a child’s welfare, safety and needs come first.
- Is in the primary interest of child safety – family members and/or care givers, are assisted where it relates to the well-being and protection of the child.