Souper Troopers believes that every person deserves dignity, and with the right support, anyone can rebuild their future. That belief drives everything we do – from a first conversation on the street to a first pay cheque.
Homelessness isn’t always visible. It goes deeper than just being unemployed or sleeping in a doorway. Are you crashing on a friend’s couch tonight because you have no other choice? That makes you homeless. The moment you lack a space to call your own, a place where you can close the door and feel secure, you fall within this definition.
. It is not just about a lack of income; it is about the lack of a permanent, dignified space to exist.
Table of Contents
Souper Troopers – Where it Began
From a Bowl of Soup to a Beacon of Hope
It all began in June 2014 with a simple act of connection. Kerry Hoffman spent a day sharing soup and sandwiches with people living on the streets, sparking a movement rooted in compassion.
What started as a relaxed social gathering evolved into regular monthly events that continued for the next five years. These formative years allowed the team to immerse themselves in the “social capital” of the streets, providing a front-row seat to the true complexities of homelessness. It became clear that existing interventions were often inadequate for the lived reality of those they sought to help.
These experiences taught the team that moving forward requires individualized, holistic support rather than a generic approach. Today, Kerry Hoffman continues to lead Souper Troopers, guided by the same spirit of dignity and humanity that defined that very first day.
The Heart of the Mission: Dignity, Love, and Respect
At Souper Troopers, everything rests on a simple but profound foundation: dignity, love, and respect. Before a person is seen as “homeless,” they are seen as human first. To ensure this remains the heartbeat of their work, the organization lives by three non-negotiable principles:
- A Hand Up, Not a Handout: Support is never “administered” to a case; it is offered to a person. The focus is on empowerment rather than charity, providing the tools and encouragement necessary for individuals to reclaim their own agency and future.
- Relationships, Not Transactions: The work begins by meeting people exactly where they are. By consistently showing up and building genuine rapport, Souper Troopers creates a foundation of trust. It is this deep-rooted connection that eventually makes the harder, more transformative conversations possible.
- No Two Journeys are the Same: There is no “one-size-fits-all” roadmap to recovery. Because every story is unique, every plan is built collaboratively with the individual, centered entirely around their actual needs and personal goals.
The Souper Troopers Dynamic: The Humanity Hub
The Humanity Hub is what real support looks like. Everything from a shower and aEssential Needs – Toiletries, clothing, showers, food, and haircuts.
- Holistic Support: Trauma counseling and wellness activities, including yoga and art therapy.
- Family Reunification: Reconnecting individuals with their families.
- Documentation & Financial Aid: Assistance with ID applications, social grants, and budgeting.
- Employment & Education: Skills development, job readiness, business training, and course enrollments.
- Social Enterprises: Projects like Troopers Coffeewinner
Odette Olivier Now Leads Where She Once Followed
Odette Oliver is the living embodiment of the Souper Troopers mission. Her story is a powerful example of how dignity, love, and respect can transform a life.
For years, Odette lived on the streets of Cape Town, trapped in a cycle of homelessness, addiction, and an abusive relationship. She describes those years as a time when she felt invisible and worthless. Her family suffered as a result of the abuse she endured. In her mind, the only way to keep them safe was to remove herself from the situation entirely. After a suicide attempt left her on life support, she reached a turning point.
Her life changed when she connected with Souper Troopers and joined their CAST programme in 2022. Through the holistic support of the Humanity Hub, Odette began a journey of healing. Not only did she find a roof over her head, but she rediscovered her self-worth.
“I found my voice and my purpose,” she says. Today, Odette is four years clean and no longer a beneficiary, she is a key member of the team. As the Supervisor of the African Worry Dolls project and Troopers Coffee, she now helps lead the very programs that saved her.
Odette speaks openly about the dangers and fear of the streets, and the difficulties people face in shelters. She explains that shelters are not free, and residents are often left not necessarily because they want to be.
Odette explains. “A person might lose their job and be without any family. And what else but the streets does a child born into homelessness know?”
She urges the public to acknowledge those living on the streets. doesn’t mean you have to give them money.
Homelessness is a nation-wide problem says Odette. Crubring it as a whole might never be possible, but she would like to see more shelters available to the homeless, offering free services and programmes to actively help them build or rebuilt their lives.
I’m not just an inspiration; I am proof that if you keep showing up, the impossible becomes possible.
– Odette Oliver –
The CAST Framework
- Connect: A beneficiary requests assistance, and an appointment is scheduled with a social worker. This first appointment marks the start of accountability.
- Assess: The social worker and individual assess the situation together, identify basic needs, and map out a personal journey through conversation rooted in dignity.
- Support: Tailored, holistic support including rehabilitation, reunification, ID assistance, skills upliftment, and job readiness (CV writing and interview prep).
- Transform: With support in place, the person moves toward independence and becomes a success story. While every journey is unique, CAST provides the consistent framework for change.
Source and References
Also read:
Upgraded Night Shelter with 150% More Beds to Help People Off the Streets Launched by Mayor
Illegal Camping in Hermanus: Fines Issued During Law Enforcement Patrols
“They show up for themselves. We meet them halfway.” — soupertroopers.org
Section 18A certificates: accounts@soupertroopers.org
Donations, drop-offs & visits: manager@soupertroopers.org
Image credits: Unsplash
