What We Can Do For You
Welcome to The Pride Shelter! 

We are here to help you if you are experiencing a genuine crisis and/or trauma and need a friendly, safe and nurturing place to stay on a short-term basis while you start to recover and find your feet again.

The Pride Shelter can offer you support in the following ways:

1.   Provide you with short-term accommodation
  • We offer temporary accommodation for up to one month free of charge, with the option of extending your stay for one additional month at R35 per day, for a total of two months.
  • However, if you are employed at the time of intake, or if employment is secured within the first month, payment of the daily R35 fee will be applicable from the day of intake or the start date of employment.
  • The Pride Shelter acknowledges the sensitive nature of those in crisis and/or trauma and, therefore, strives to assess each case on an individual basis. Negotiations regarding length of stay and periods of extension are therefore possible but remain subject to critical evaluation by The Pride Shelter staff.  

2.   Provide you with a friendly, safe and nurturing environment conducive to recovery
  • We strive to provide our residents with a friendly, safe and nurturing environment in which to stay. The House Manager, Jan, and Operations Officer, Derrick, are dedicated toward helping you as best they can and work hard to ensure that you receive the support you need. 

3.   Provide you with two meals a day (breakfast and dinner) ​
  • You will sit together with other house residents in the morning and evening to share a meal and socialise.

4.   Provide you with psycho-social support
  • The Community Mental Health Coordinator will conduct an individual assessment with you upon intake. The opportunity for counselling sessions will be presented to you and discussed. Counselling sessions will be done by the Community Mental Health Coordinator, a counselling student intern (under supervision), or a volunteer with counselling qualifications. All counsellors are sensitised to the needs of LGBTI+ individuals and are here to affirm you in your journey through crisis.
  • When possible, group sessions, workshops and other informational talks are provided by other organisations, professionals or experienced LGBTI+ members.

4.   Refer you to other services you may need
  • We strive to build and maintain organisational ties with other supportive NGO's/civil society organisations that can offer support and assistance to LGBTI+ individuals. Below are a few of these organisations. The list is not extensive.
  • Health4Men offers sexual health services for all men who have sex with men. In Cape Town, they have clinics in Woodstock, Khayelitsha and Bellville. We tend to refer residents to the Woodstock clinic (Ivan Toms Centre for Men's Health -  Victoria Walk Road, Woodstock, Cape Town; 021 447 2844).
  • The Triangle Project is a non-profit human rights organisation offering professional services to ensure the full realisation of constitutional and human rights for LGBTI individuals, their partners and families. Their telephonic counselling service can be reached on 081 257 6693. The address is 2nd Floor, Leadership House, Cnr Burg & Shortmarket Streets, Greenmarket Square, Cape Town. Their helpline is 021 712 6699.
  • SWEAT (Sex Workers Education and Advocacy Taskforce) promotes the rights of sex workers. They are based at 19 Anson Street, Observatory, Cape Town, and can be contacted on 021 448 7875. Their helpline number is 0800 60 60 60.
  • Gender DynamiX focuses on the transgender community. They provide resources, information and support to trans people, their partners, family, employers and the public. They are based at the 10 Collingwood Place, Anson Street, Observatory, Cape Town. Call them on +27 (0)21 447 4797.
  • PASSOP (People Against Suffering, Oppression and Poverty) is a not-for-profit human rights organisation devoted to fighting for the rights of asylum-seekers, refugees and immigrants in South Africa. You can find them at Room 413-414, Tulbagh Centre Building, Hans Strijdom Avenue, Cape Town. Call them on 0214182838.
  • Cape Mental Health provides or facilitates comprehensive, pro-active and enabling mental health services in the Western Cape. They are based at 22 Ivy Street in Observatory and can be contacted on 021 447 9040.
  • If you require medical treatment and do not have Medical Aid, we can refer you to New Somerset Hospital in Green Point (cnr Beach Road and Lower Portswood Road; 021 402 6911/6408).
  • If you are looking for work, we can refer you to the Western Cape Government's Walk-In-Centre at 9 Wale Street. Here you can look at their employment handbook, which lists job opportunities in the provincial and city governments, view other job advertisements and use the Internet for free for 45 minutes at a time. You can also ask for advice on your CV. They are open from 8am - 4pm on weekdays and from 8am - midday on Saturdays, and can be contacted on 021 483 3794.
  • Alcoholics Anonymous holds a meeting at The Pride Shelter every Wednesday from 6-7pm. Any person in recovery from substance addiction will be required to attend these sessions.​

5.   Provide Internet access  
  • At the house we have a shared computer which you are welcome to use to look for work or search for other information that may assist you in getting back on your feet. 

We hope that this information is helpful to you. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any further questions. 

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