Latest news with #StephenUnderwood
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Pedestrian injured after being struck by fleeing vehicle in Bridgeport
A pedestrian was struck by a fleeing vehicle in Bridgeport on Friday evening, officials said. Officers responded to the intersection of East Main Street and Bass Pro Drive around 9:15pm on Friday on a report of a pedestrian struck by a motor vehicle, according to the Bridgeport Police Department. Police said the vehicle fled the scene. The pedestrian was transported to a local hospital and was listed in stable condition, according to police. The crash remains under investigation. No further information was available at this time. Stephen Underwood can be reached at sunderwood@
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Early morning tractor-trailer crash in Hartford shuts down southbound side of I-91
An early morning crash in Hartford shut down the southbound side of Interstate 91 on Saturday, state police said. Troopers were called to I-91 South in the area of Exit 32 A&B around 6:30 a.m. on Saturday for a crash involving a tractor-trailer, according to the Connecticut State Police. State police said the tractor-trailer jackknifed and blocked several lanes. According to state police , emergency vehicles were on scene and possible injuries are reported. The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection was notified for a possible fuel leak. Stephen Underwood can be reached at sunderwood@
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Yahoo
Thinking about bringing alcohol to a CT state park this weekend? See where it is banned.
If you're thinking of bringing alcohol with you to a Connecticut state park or boat launch this Memorial Day weekend, state officials are reminding visitors to follow a temporary alcohol ban at several state recreation areas or risk the possibility of being fined. The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection has announced a temporary alcohol ban for nine state recreation areas including Beach Pond State Boat Launch in Voluntown; Billings Lake State Boat Launch in North Stonington, including a portion of Pachaug State Forest; Gardner Lake State Park and State Boat Launch in Salem; Lake Waramaug State Park in New Preston; Naugatuck State Forest in Naugatuck, Oxford and Beacon Falls; Paugussett State Forest (upper section) and George Waldo State Park in Southbury; Quaddick State Park in Thompson; Wadsworth Falls State Park in Middletown and Middlefield; and Pattaconk Recreation Area in Chester. State officials said the ban is in effect through August 18. In recent summers, officials said these locations have experienced increased crowds and alcohol consumption, which has led to increased incidents of misconduct, unruly behavior, property damage, trespass and complaints by other visitors and the surrounding communities, according to DEEP. A temporary alcohol ban provides DEEP's Environmental Conservation Police with an enforcement tool, officials said. 'Enacting this measure will help ensure the safety of others and promote an atmosphere in our Connecticut state parks and forests which is enjoyable and meaningful to residents of all ages,' said DEEP commissioner Katie Dykes. Memorial Day weekend is among the busiest for state parks, according to state officials. In recent years, the state has cracked down on unruly behavior and ensuring that parks stay within capacity requirements. Just last week, officials announced they are offering an online reservation system for parking at the popular Squantz Pond State Park in New Fairfield to help improve the experience for visitors and reduce traffic congestion near the park. A state law passed in 2023 requires a set capacity limit for the park and authorizes DEEP to close the park to new visitors — whether entering by vehicle, on foot or by boat — when the vehicle capacity is reached Visitors can purchase up to two car passes at a time but must provide vehicle information for each pass, including each vehicle's license plate number. For those who enter in a vehicle registered out of state, the reservation fee is $22 per vehicle on weekends and $15 on weekdays. For those who enter in a Connecticut-registered vehicle, there is no fee for park entrance, as they are covered through the Passport to the Parks Program, officials said. However, a $2 reservation fee is charged for all transactions. Reservations can be made through the online reservation system or by calling toll-free 1-877-668-CAMP (2267) during call center hours. Stephen Underwood can be reached at sunderwood@
IOL News
19-05-2025
- General
- IOL News
How NGOs are helping to restore the dignity of the homeless
IOL spoke to local NGOs on the work they are doing for the homeless in the community Image: U-Turn Facebook The issue of homelessness is a harrowing reality for many in South Africa, where recent statistics from StatsSA reveal that the number of homeless individuals has soared to over 55,000. Faced with this escalating crisis, various non-profit organisations (NPOs) are stepping in to offer support and solutions that go beyond mere temporary relief. In an effort to understand the challenges and the support systems available, IOL spoke to representatives from two prominent NPOs, U-turn and New Hope SA, who are actively working to change the narrative around homelessness in South Africa. Stephen Underwood, from U-turn based in Cape Town, articulated a transformative framework designed to empower individuals and communities. 'For us, it's all about overcoming homelessness. It's not a 'soup and a blanket' approach that just provides welfare. It's a phased journey that takes clients from struggling, often with substance abuse and living on the street, to being sober, employed, and housed,' he explains. The U-turn programme is structured in four distinct phases aimed at guiding homeless individuals through a comprehensive recovery path. Homeless shelter beds A homeless safe space in Durbanville equipped with 40 beds. Photo: File Image: File Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. 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Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel. The first phase, known as Change Readiness, focuses on meeting basic needs while establishing a foundation of trust. Clients receive essential items—such as meals, clothing, and temporary shelter—through a voucher system. This exchange helps initiate a relationship between clients and their case managers, forming the basis for further intervention. In the second phase, Rehabilitation, individuals are referred to substance abuse treatment centres. U-turn not only covers the costs but also manages the logistics of these referrals, making it easier for clients to access the help they need during this critical period of recovery. Work Readiness marks the third phase, during which clients transition into structured employment training. U-turn operates several social enterprises, including charity shops and a nursery, where clients gain work experience, learn practical skills, receive stipends, and gradually build self-confidence. The final phase, Deep Therapy, addresses the psychological and emotional roots of homelessness. Through targeted therapy and support, clients are guided to understand and manage the deeper issues that may hinder long-term stability, ensuring they are prepared for sustainable employment and independent living. 'If you get someone sober and you get them a job and a house, if you don't deal with that root cause, you'll end up struggling in the future again. Our therapy is trying to deal with that root cause, that trauma and the issues that cause someone to become homeless in the first place,' Underwood explains. The length of this comprehensive journey typically spans one to two years, culminating in clients securing stable employment and independent housing. In alignment with this holistic approach, New Hope SA operates a second-phase residential programme tailored specifically for men transitioning off the streets. Dylan Groep, a representative from New Hope SA, emphasised the importance of a structured approach to reintegration. 'They have to be clean for three months before joining our programme. We want to take a holistic approach, helping them discover their potential and re-engage with society,' he states. New Hope SA requires candidates to meet specific criteria before joining, including an interview and an assessment by a social worker. Once admitted, participants receive comprehensive support such as counselling and mentorship. Groep notes that although many of these men face serious challenges, they also possess untapped potential that the programme seeks to cultivate and empower. As South Africa grapples with the complex issue of homelessness, organisations like U-turn and New Hope SA are pioneering essential programmes that not only offer immediate assistance but also foster long-term reintegration into society. Their innovative approaches highlight that combating homelessness requires more than temporary fixes; it demands a dedicated commitment to transforming lives. IOL Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel.
IOL News
18-05-2025
- General
- IOL News
What it truly means to break the cycle
Homeless people living in Cape Town Homelessness is a problem that affects many South Africans. Photo: Brendan Magaar/African News Agency (ANA) Image: Brendan Magaar/African News Agency (ANA) Breaking the cycle of homelessness requires more than just temporary shelter — it demands a holistic, sustained approach that addresses addiction, employment, and housing stability. In South Africa, where homelessness is a growing concern, non-profit organisations like U-turn and New Hope SA are proving that transformation is possible through structured, long-term support. IOL spoke to NPOs U-turn and New Hope SA to get a better understanding at what success stories look like as they help homeless South Africans off the street. For both organisations, it was about making sure that individuals were able to stand on their own two feet before they graduated from the programmes. Video Player is loading. 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'All our clients graduate sober, employed and housed,' states U-turn's Stephen Underwood. 'If they haven't found a job, they don't graduate. If they haven't found housing, they don't graduate. We keep them in the programme until they've achieved those outcomes. 'It's not time-based. It's not like you've got one year to do it, if you don't, 'bad luck'. Some fly through in nine months, some take three years. We walk them through the journey for as long as it takes; until they are employed and housed, and they must obviously remain sober. 'All of our graduates complete the programme sober, employed and housed. We follow up long term, and over 80% maintain those outcomes, which is the challenge in homelessness. It's about helping people long term without them slipping back into substance abuse of homelessness.' According to New Hope SA's Dylan Groep, they took a different approach in defining a success story. 'Success could be slightly different for each individual. For some people. It might be reintegrating with their family. They might not have found permanent work yet, but they are reintegrating with their family. For some, that's not possible because that could be a trigger or a trauma situation,' says Groep. 'One of our most recent success stories is Samuel. He started out with us two years ago. When he was in the programme, he had a massive accident and we didn't know if he was going to make it. He recovered and had a big turning point in his life. He went through the programme and took a good look at himself, put in a lot of work and eventually became one of our programme supervisors. That was cool because he understood where the guys come from and what it means to be on the recovery and healing journey. He's currently working on a cruise ship and he's now up in Northern Europe.' Another of their former clients is married with children, and also works in assisting the homeless. But, while they have success stories, some cases don't work out for the best. 'There are guys who leave the programme, or just change their cellphone numbers.' 'There are good stories. But inbetween, there are a lot of difficult stories that provide learnings for us as an organisation. But, when looking at the success rates, there are more people who don't finish the programme than those who do. But, we believe that if we make a difference in one person's life, you impact the family and the community that persons comes from, so we believe in that.' IOL Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel.
