The ADC

Our Programmes

The Assumption Development Centre (ADC)

Programmes

The ADC’s core programmes focus on three areas viz.

  • Employability
  • Enterprise Development and
  • Financial Well-being.

We strive to create an enabling environment in which youth can develop to their full potential, by empowering families and the local community through financial wellbeing & enterprise development programs. 

We aim to achieve this through the design, customization and implementation of successful programs that result in the development of responsible, active and resilient youth, engaged through a holistic post-school developmental program, encompassing the three core pillars of education, employment & enterprise development.   

To ensure that the ADC’s programs deliver the intended change in the lives of youth and their families in Joza and Makhanda, the organisation has developed a theory of change which informs program delivery. 

Our approach and key aspects of our program are depicted in the adjacent program model diagram.  

Employability Program

The goal of the employability program is to ensure young people are equipped to secure meaningful work. This is achieved through a number of interventions including:

  • Second Chance Matric – this cornerstone program provides an opportunity for learners to improve their Grade 12 results thereby enabling access to further and higher education and improving their chances of accessing employment.
  • Skills Development – our life and work skills program aims to equip youth for tertiary education, entrepreneurship and the world of work.
  • Work experience – this program prepares youth for the world of work by providing workplace experience in a number of sectors, in conjunction with government, corporate and tertiary institution partnerships.

Business Development Program

This program strives to assist young people and local entrepreneurs to initiate, consolidate and sustain small businesses. Initiatives under the business development program include business start-up and business support.

Financial Wellbeing Program

The financial wellbeing program aims to foster resilient households that are able to meet basic needs and cope with shocks. This program includes savings and credit groups and financial literacy training.

ADC Counselling Hub

This initiative aims to provide mental health resources in the form of individual counselling and psychoeducational groups/workshops for people living in Joza and accessing services at the ADC, particularly Makhanda youth. The ADC Counselling Hub was launched in 2022 in partnership with Rhodes Psychology Department, Clinic and the Counselling Centre, providing critically needed mental health services to the community of Makhanda. The services are provided by RU Psychology Masters students in the form of psycho-educational workshops and individual counselling sessions. This initiative also provides students with a service-learning experience that embraces a community psychology approach. The success of this intervention was recognized by the award of the RU Vice Chancellor’s Distinguished Award for Community Engagement.