The Dependable Strengths Foundation was registered as a nonprofit company in 2000.
Dr Bernard Haldane and his wife Dr Jean Haldane, of Seattle, United States of America, developed the Dependable Strengths Articulation (DSA) Process over a period of 50 years. It is based on the theory that each person has a unique pattern of strengths and skills that they can depend on. Sometimes they are not consciously aware of the pattern, and parts of it can be taken for granted, suppressed, diverted or left dormant.
The process has been used to equip people with job-seeking tools that enable them to attract job offers. It has been used in schools to increase morale and develop self-confidence, to rehabilitate people in prison and has also been taken into businesses and institutions and enabled higher morale and efficiency.
The process has something to offer each individual, and there is potential for the process to make a major contribution to the development of our communities at this time in South Africa.
The DSA Process is a practical, results-oriented personal development process which has been proven to be effective in South Africa over the past nine years. This process enables the cultivation of a strength-based application within business, in education and in the larger community.
Vision: The DSA Process will be recognised and used throughout South Africa as a powerful tool in empowering people to action and change by actualising their dependable strengths.
Mission: To take as many people as possible through the DSA Process to therefore empower people to improve their effectiveness by actualising their dependable strengths and changing people’s perceptions about themselves and their value, thus empowering them to action and change.
The Dependable Strengths Foundation offers short courses which:
- Help people to find or create work appropriate to their strengths;
- Enable more dynamic teamwork;
- Complement learnership or skills programmes in terms of career guidance; and
- Encourage a strengths based approach within business, education and the larger community.
Challenges and opportunities
Lack of funding impedes the spread of the dependable strengths process, which has the ability to raise the positive self-knowledge and productivity of every individual. The Dependable Strengths Job Magnet Process would positively impact the unemployment situation in South Africa.
Impact and contribution to society
In the past three years, 1 612 unemployed have completed the Job Magnet Process. Over 60 percent of those contacted have got jobs, taken up further studies in line with their strengths or started small businesses. Others have become involved with meaningful community work.
Stories of hope:
“After four years of unemployment and unfocused activities trying to find my way I attended a Job Magnet Course from Dependable Strengths in Spruitview in 2010. I was so excited to discover innate strengths. It was clear I should be developing my creative talents. I was offered a learnership in IT system and development. My enthusiasm was reflected in my results – top student and elected as student representative. I am currently in the practical part of the programme with working solutions, developing websites and creating software. I love my work and I am confident that I will succeed and build a successful career”
“Six years unemployed, but not idle – I attended courses to try to boost my resume and self-confidence – always hoping for a job. In 2010, I was fortunate to attend a Dependable Strengths Job Magnet course. This was a break-through for me. I realised that as well as artistic skills I was entrepreneurial. This led to produce journals, photo frames, beadwork, embroidery, T-shirts using different art media – and then to market them. I now partner with different organisations. Dependable Strengths helped me to find direction, and a clear map on the route to success. It gave me the self-confidence to go forward’
Comments received at the end of a workshop:
- Thank you for opening eyes;
- I have learned new thing and am confident;
- Dependable Strengths must do this all over to change many youth lives;
- I would like you to teach this to my ward;
- Thank you. Dependable Strengths workshop helped me so much;
- I became more self-motivated, confident. I am going to walk with a positive attitude; and
- The facilitators are great, caring.
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