In 1949 The Johannesburg Marriage Guidance Society was established in response to the increase in marital and family breakdown. All reliable research showed that children growing up in a stable environment were more likely to live productive lives this research is relevant today.

In 1978 The Johannesburg Marriage Guidance Society amalgamated with The Youth Advice Bureau and in 1979 the name was changed to: Family Life Centre.

Above: Family Life Centre’s Head Office in Parkwood – Donated

The dynamic courage and vision of The Family Life Centre’s founders (which included Mr David Murray from the Johannesburg City Council and Joan Philips, Psychologist) has had its impact on The South African Society today.

• Joan was appointed as South Africa's first school psychologist at Johannesburg Preparatory School for Girls (BARNATO PARK). Many schools followed the lead.
• Joan's courage and persistence resulted in her giving talks to children and teenagers about sex - after school hours. Society has adapted this to our schools today. This courageous step is the beginning of the work we do with our Education for Living programme in the schools.
• Family Life Centre was one of the first to introduce Trauma Counselling in South Africa
• Family Life Centre was the first NPO to introduce Employee Support Services to companies.

Above: Children holding Balloons Safe Families, Save Families: international Day of The Family 2008

 

The Family Life Centre is affiliated to The National office Families South Africa. Each of the 27 offices in South Africa are autonomous with their own Executive Committees and Directors. Each are responsible for their own funding.

 

The Mission of Family Life Centre

Is to promote and maintain stable, satisfying relationships within individuals, families, marriages and community life for all people of South Africa. Work is carried out throughout Soweto, Diepsloot, Coronationville, Noordgesig, Westbury, Riverlea, Lenasia South, Newclare, Bosmont, Ennerdale, Alexandra and Ivory Park. Training courses and counselling services are offered to these communities as well as the City Centre and those reached by the Parkwood offices.

The range of services is designed to enhance the personal skills of individuals assisting them to:

• Manage their lives,
• Enrich their relationships
• Make a contribution towards developing their communities and ultimately, society.

 

The Philosophy of Family Life Centre

Numerous community-based programmes, ranging from support groups for teenage mothers and HIV/Aids positive people, to self help and income generating groups, rape, child abuse and violence awareness, student and adult education programmes, counselling and training, are offered by volunteers or social workers employed by The Family Life Centre.

 

Training and the Grounding of our Expertise

From International Experts

Family Life Centre invited many experts in their fields to hold workshops at regular intervals they included:

• In the 1950s world renowned authorities on marriages and marriage enrichment; Dr David Mace and his wife Vera Mace assisted with establishing the Johannesburg Marriage Guidence Society.
• Dr. Florence W. Kaslow, a World Renowned expert in the field of psychotherapy, visited twice and proved a good friend and wonderful teacher.
• Gianfranco Cecchin (Milan): Co-founder of the Milan School of Therapy
• Tom Andersen (Norway) introduced the reflective team into Family Therapy at Family Life Centre.
• In 1974 World Renowned Anthropologist Dr. Mead to came to South Africa and gave impetus to the growth and banish the stigma attached to marriage counselling.
• In 1974 Family Life Centre attended the first conference on Family Therapy ever to be held in South Africa.
• In 1987 Professor Wilma Hoffman – Head of Social Work at University of Witwatersrand, attended Divorce Mediation Training by the authority John Haynes in The United States. Upon her return she provided 40 hour training to The Staff at The Family Life Centre.

Above right: A recent picture of Joan Philips who celebrated her 90th Birthday in 2008

 

Services offered by Family Life Centre which address current issues in South Africa

• Community development programmes: Youth Community Development and adult capacity-building programmes reached 60 696 people over past year.
• Education for Living in the Schools: Learners participated in a variety of life skills programmes. An Anti-Bullying campaign was rolled out over past years in community schools

• Facilitators in ARV Clinic at Helen Joseph Hospital.
• Holiday Programmes, to empower the youth
• Parenting Groups
• Individual / Couple Counselling
• Trauma counselling
• Family therapy
• Play Therapy
• Support groups, e.g. HIV/Aids.
• Divorce and family mediation including maintenance issues – kept abreast of the New Children’s Act. Trained over 60 new Mediators over the past year in Johannesburg and Port Elizabeth.
• Training: we have been accredited by Health and Welfare SETA as a Training Centre. Trained 30 Volunteers serving 4 000 patients a month and other interested community members.
• Marriage Preparation and Marriage Enrichment Programmes

Above right - Our Chairman Athol Williams and Kolobe from Our Diepsloot Office

 

We have Satellite offices in :

City Centre, Soweto, Lenasia South, Westbury, Ennerdale, Diepsloot, Alexandra