Local NPO helps revive Ekurhuleni playgrounds

Edenvale Sports Grounds received tender love and care when NPO Revive Initiatives partnered with Ward 18 Committee Member Lisa Atkins.

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On September 10, community members and parolees descended on the athletic facility where they cleaned up the area, removing litter debris and abandoned items left behind by the community.

Organized by Lisa, a member of the Ward 18 Environmental Portfolio Committee, the cleanup focused on clearing the area near the north and east boundary walls of the sports fields.

She said the cleaning was part of the department’s monthly cleaning initiatives.

Lisa said she partnered with Revive after founder David Heritage contacted her about cleanup initiatives.

That day, members of the Edenvale Lions Basketball Academy also lent a hand by helping clean up debris from this municipal facility.

Heritage said the primary focus of the Edenvale NPO is to work with parolees and ex-offenders, as well as doing internal ministry of prisons work in correctional facilities.

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He said the organization helps parolees and ex-offenders to rehabilitate and reintegrate into society and the community.

“We help with skills development programs, small business initiatives and people training,” Heritage said.

He said the purpose of the cleanup was to help the community and help keep sports fields clean.

Established as an NPO in 2017, Heritage has worked in the ministry with the Department of Corrections for the past 12 years.

He founded Revive in response to a call to serve communities and people in need and to give back where he can.

Heritage said the three pillars that make up the Revive initiatives include redemption, reintegration and restitution.

He said redemption is about helping parolees and offenders learn more about Jesus.

“Reintegration is part of the rehabilitation process and helps parolees on their journey to rehabilitation. This is done by creating support groups in the communities.

“In this support structure, there is counselling, mentoring and skills development.

He said the nonprofit focuses on skill development and aims to help ex-offenders become as sustainable as possible.

“As part of restitution, parolees try to give back to the community where they can. It is important to differentiate between community service imposed by parole conditions and restitution.

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Heritage said looking to the future, Revive has planned several restitution initiatives in partnership with Lisa.
He said that in addition to helping ex-offenders, the NPO provides meals to those in need.

“For the past two years we have given hot meals to people in need and currently we are distributing over 4,000 meals a month.”

When the NPO started providing food parcels in 2020, it started with 32 per month. He said the expansion was made possible through support from the community and other charities.

Visit his Facebook page or call David on 060 532 5000 for more information.

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