A Century of Caring for Children

The Coalition of Anglican Children’s Homes has been providing safety, healing, and hope to vulnerable children in Johannesburg since 1915.

COACH — the Coalition of Anglican Children’s Homes — is a registered non-profit organisation providing residential and therapeutic care to children who have been placed in our homes by the Children’s Court. These are children who have experienced neglect, abuse, or abandonment, and who need far more than a roof over their heads. They need consistency, professional support, and people who believe in their future.

We operate two children’s homes in the Johannesburg area: St. George’s Home in Kempton Park, and St. Nicolas Home in Sophiatown. Together, these homes care for over 30 children at any given time, supported by a dedicated team of social workers, child and youth care workers, counsellors, and educators.

COACH was formally established in 2002 when the Anglican Diocese of Johannesburg brought the homes together under a single, coordinated organisation — centralising financial, administrative, and fundraising functions so that every rand raised goes further for the children in our care.

Registered NPO: 052-658 | PBO: 930 024 064

Our Vision

Helping children take the next step.

Every decision we make, every programme we run, and every rand we raise is guided by one simple but powerful vision — that every child in our care takes their next step toward a safe, independent, and fulfilling life.

Our Mission

Making a positive difference, every day.

To make a lasting positive difference in the lives of children through our residential homes and community programmes — addressing their physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual needs in equal measure.

Our Approach

Therapeutic care, not just shelter.

We moved away from traditional custodial care in 2004, transforming our homes into therapeutic, life-space intervention centres. Our children don’t just live here — they heal here, grow here, and build the foundations for a life beyond our care.

OUR HISTORY: Over 100 Years in the Making

COACH’s story didn’t begin in 2002. It began more than a century ago, with two churches, two communities, and a shared conviction that every child deserves care.

1915

The Birth of St. George's Home

St. George’s Children’s Home was founded in Johannesburg in 1915 to care for destitute boys living on the streets. Anglo American donated the land on which the Home was built in Bedfordview, establishing the foundation for what would become one of South Africa’s longest-standing institutions of care.

1923

St. Joseph's Home is Established

In 1923, the Anglican Church established St. Joseph’s Children’s Home in Sophiatown. Built by the Order of St. Margaret, based in East Grinstead, England, it was created to care for orphaned children of coloured men from the Transvaal who had lost their lives in World War I. It was an act of faith and justice, embedded in the heart of one of Johannesburg’s most vibrant communities.

1955 to 1978

Apartheid, Resistance and the Order's Departure

During the forced removals of 1955 to 1960, the apartheid government demolished most of Sophiatown. St. Joseph’s Children’s Home survived, as the Anglican Church successfully opposed its removal on the grounds that the home sat on farmland rather than within a proclaimed township. It was a small but significant victory.

In 1978, the sisters of the Order of St. Margaret took a stand and left South Africa in protest against the apartheid regime, marking the end of their chapter in the story of St. Joseph’s.

1965

St. Nicolas Home Opens its Doors

St. Nicolas Children’s Home was established in 1965 in Westbury, in response to the deep needs of children and families living with poverty, unemployment, and gang-related violence. As violence in the area escalated over the years, the home was later relocated to Sophiatown, placing it in the same neighbourhood where St. Joseph’s had stood and continuing a legacy of care in one of Johannesburg’s most historically significant communities.

1985

A Shift Toward Community-Based Care

The St. George’s Board made a strategic decision to move away from institutionalised care. Properties were acquired in Edenvale, Germiston, and Kempton Park, embedding the home’s work into real communities. The Kempton Park property was developed into the St. George’s Life Campus, a specialised programme for older youth with learning impairments designed to prepare them for independent adult life.

1994

Democratic Transition and the Closure of St. Joseph's

South Africa’s democratic transition in 1994 brought enormous change, including the withdrawal of many international donors who had directed funding toward local development projects. Anglican-run children’s homes were significantly affected. St. Joseph’s Children’s Home, already under financial strain, was unable to sustain its operations and was forced to close, ending nearly 70 years of service in Sophiatown.

Early 2000s

The Formation of COACH

In the early 2000s, the leadership of the Anglican Diocese of Johannesburg established a centralised management structure to meet increasing compliance and governance requirements facing children’s homes. This led to the formation of COACH, the Children’s Organisation for Advocacy and Care in the Home.

A formal Board was established as a corporate governance body, with a small staff complement serving as the link between the Board and the homes. COACH took on responsibility for fundraising, compliance, and administrative oversight, allowing St. George’s and St. Nicolas to focus on what they do best: caring for children. The Anglican Diocese of Johannesburg continues to provide strategic oversight to the COACH Board today.

2004

A New Standard of Care

In 2004, COACH undertook a profound transformation, shifting from custodial care to a fully therapeutic, life-space intervention model. This required a fundamental rethinking of how staff understood their role: moving from simply meeting children’s physical needs to actively engaging with their emotional, psychological, and developmental healing. It was a challenging transition, and one that defines the quality of COACH’s care to this day.

2025

A Century of Impact

In 2025, COACH marked its centenary, celebrating 110 years since St. George’s Home first opened its doors. What began as a small refuge for destitute boys has grown into a professional, multi-programme organisation that has walked alongside thousands of vulnerable children across Johannesburg. As we mark this milestone, we look forward, building on a century of experience to serve the next generation of children who need us most.

100+ Years of caring for children

Children's Homes

30+ Children in our care right now

1,000s of lives changed since 1915

COACH Head office staff

Kenneth Fick

Managing Director

Kenneth Fick brings over 25 years of senior management experience to his role as Managing Director of COACH, having served in a range of leadership positions at the Department of Labour, including 16 years as Provincial Director for Gauteng.

He holds certificates in project management, financial management, and marketing, and is a committed advocate for ethical governance, sound financial stewardship, and empowering people to reach their full potential.

Kenneth served as Chairperson of the COACH Board for five years before being appointed Managing Director in November 2025. In this role, he is deeply committed to ensuring that the homes and programmes under COACH’s care remain compliant, well-resourced, and genuinely nurturing environments for every child.

For Kenneth, this work is personal. He believes that the development, safety, and wellbeing of the children in COACH’s care is not simply an organisational responsibility but a calling. He continues to grow alongside the children and staff he serves, and remains focused on making a meaningful and lasting difference in their lives.

Rabie Modisane

Fundraising & Communication Officer

Rabie Modisane brings over 25 years of experience in the non-profit sector to his role as Fundraising and Communication Officer at COACH. His work is driven by a deep conviction that the people who serve vulnerable communities deserve the resources, recognition, and support they need to sustain and grow that work.

Rabie specialises in strategic storytelling, crafting compelling, impact-driven narratives that bring the mission of COACH to life for donors and partners. By connecting people to the real stories behind the work, he inspires meaningful investment in the children and programmes COACH exists to serve.

His background includes theological training, complemented by short courses in fundraising, and a continuing interest in branding, marketing, and leadership development. He approaches his professional growth with the same commitment he brings to his work: always learning, always looking for ways to contribute more effectively.

For Rabie, fundraising is not simply about securing income. It is about mobilising communities of support around a shared belief that every child deserves safety, care, and a future worth stepping into.

Portia Dlangamandla

Finance and Compliance Officer

Portia Dlangamandla brings a well-rounded background in finance, administration, and office operations to her role as Finance and Compliance Officer at COACH. Over the course of her career she has held positions as Team Administrator, Public Affairs Administrator, and Financial Administrator, building a strong foundation of practical experience across each discipline.

Portia studied Financial Management at Boston Business School and is currently deepening her expertise through a certificate in Bookkeeping. She is also completing a degree in Psychology, a pursuit that reflects both her intellectual curiosity and her genuine commitment to the wellbeing of the people around her.

Working within a children’s home has shaped Portia’s approach to her role in a profound way. She understands that behind every compliance requirement and financial report are real children whose safety and stability depend on the organisation running well. That awareness drives her commitment to upholding the highest standards of accountability, financial integrity, and responsible stewardship in everything she does.

Samkelisiwe “Samke” Khanyile

Office Receptionist & Administrator

Samkelisiwe Khanyile, known as Samke, is the friendly first point of contact at COACH, bringing two years of experience in front-office management, executive support, and day-to-day administrative operations. Detail-oriented and highly organised, she plays an important role in keeping the organisation running smoothly and ensuring that everyone who walks through the door or reaches out to COACH is met with professionalism and warmth.

Samke holds an N6 Certificate in Financial Management from Majuba TVET College and a Bachelor of Education in the Intermediate Phase from the University of South Africa, qualifying her to teach learners from Grade 4 to Grade 7. Her diverse academic background reflects a natural curiosity and a consistent commitment to growth, both personally and professionally.

At COACH, Samke brings more than administrative capability. She brings a genuine care for the people around her and an understanding of the environment she works in, making her an integral part of a team dedicated to the wellbeing of the children in our homes.

OUR TEAM & GOVERNANCE:

Accountable, Professional, Committed

COACH is governed by an active Board of Directors drawn from the Anglican Diocese of Johannesburg and the broader professional community. Our management team and staff are qualified social workers, child and youth care workers, educators, and fundraising professionals — all dedicated to the highest standard of care for the children in our homes.

We are fully registered, compliant, and transparent in our operations, holding Section 18A tax-exempt status which allows donors to claim back on qualifying contributions.

Meet Our Board