Marking World Homeless Day with a fun, meaningful run, U-turn Homeless Ministries staff and clients, together with the local community, ran side-by-side as one to raise awareness for those working hard to rebuild their lives.
Cape Town, South Africa (13 October 2026) – Our hearts naturally soften to others’ realities when we simply allow ourselves to connect. To build compassion and help people better understand the realities of homelessness, U-turn Homeless Ministries gathered the community on World Homeless Day for a fun, meaningful morning run – bringing Cape Town residents side-by-side with those working hard to rebuild their lives.
By joining in with the Rondebosch Parkrun, the event held at Rondebosch Common on Saturday, 10 October, united U-turn’s homeless clients and staff with the community to raise awareness about homelessness.
Clients from U-turn’s Claremont, Wynberg and The Hope Exchange Homeless Service centres participated in the run. These Service Centres are at the frontline in the fight against homelessness, providing essential support and a welcoming space where people can begin their journey out of homelessness. Through practical assistance, meaningful relationships and structured support, clients are encouraged to take the first steps towards rebuilding their lives.
U-turn staff also joined the run, while others formed enthusiastic cheer squads to motivate participants and celebrate their efforts. Everyone’s involvement reflected the spirit of community and encouragement that lies at the heart of U-turn’s work.
As a special gesture of support, every participating client received a pair of running shoes and socks, helping them take positive steps towards a healthier and more active lifestyle.
For everyone involved, the event was a powerful reminder that people experiencing homelessness deserve dignity, opportunity and the chance to build a brighter future. By bringing people together through sport, U-turn used World Homeless Day to challenge perceptions of homelessness and celebrate the resilience of those working towards lasting change.
U-turn extends its sincere thanks to everyone who helped make the event a success. You can learn more about U-turn at homeless.org.za
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