HISTORY

The Athlone Youth and Family Development Centre was predominantly a children' home, known as GC William's House since 1985. Children became institutionalised as many of them stayed in the children's home for more then 10 years. Foster care placements was a long and timeous process because children was to familiar with the children's home. The organisation embarked on a new vision to change the children's home into a multipurpose centre. All trained childcare staff did a needs analysis in the community to research the youth trends and the gaps in the market for youth at risk. After much research and workshops the organisation gave birth to the Athlone Youth and Family Development Centre. The core business of the centre is the Renaissance Programme a 16 week residential programme who caters for youth at risk between 14-17 years. The Renaissance programme lauched its first programme in April 2004 and was registered with the department of Social Development in June 2008.