The other day I went to get a haircut after the last 2 months in lockdown (I didn’t trust the others in my ‘bubble’ to give me a haircut!). As I entered the shop to see my old friend and barber, I noticed – further along the street – the blanket-covered body of someone sleeping Read more
Homelessness is a particularly serious issue during the COVID-19 global pandemic say several US Catholic Charities. Furthermore, the number of people without homes is predicted to increase if there is a pandemic-related economic downturn. In Southern California, Catholic Charities of Los Angeles says the weight of addressing homelessness in the region is already at a Read more
Agencies working with the homeless community are worried that people living on the street will be left behind if there is a community outbreak of Covid-19. Homeless advocacy group Gimme Shelter has estimated 40,000 or more New Zealanders are currently defined as homeless, About 5000 sleeping rough and the rest live in inadequate, temporary, or overcrowded Read more
Merge on Auckland’s Karangahape Rd is a place of welcome for many, including those without homes. An aim, though, is to support them into living in homes. Amid artwork and a library of donated books, people can sit at large tables and eat together, no matter whether they are working in the area, living on Read more
Pope Francis, Sunday, marked the Church’s World Day of the Poor by hosting 1,500 homeless and disadvantaged people for lunch. The menu included lasagna, chicken in a cream of mushroom sauce, potatoes, sweets, fruit and coffee. Some 150 tables were set up in a Vatican hall where Francis normally holds his weekly indoor audiences with Read more
People living on New Zealand streets are being spotlighted by New Zealand’s Big Sleep Out, hosted, December 7 in Petone. “The homelessness situation (in New Zealand) is a little different to what is happening overseas. “It’s people living in overcrowded houses, cars and garages – not so much people out on the streets (though) there’s plenty of Read more
The Soup Kitchen in Wellington has started a library It is the brainchild of community worker Natasha Rerekura and one of the soup kitchen’s regulars, Muigal Kimani, more commonly known as Kim Sawa Sawa. “We inspired each other to set this up,” Rerekura said. “The reason it started was I noticed with some of the guys Read more
The Wellington City Mission recently launched their new transitional housing facility, Britannia House, in Lower Hutt, with an official opening by Hon Kris Faafoi MP, the Associate Minister of Housing. The story caught the attention of Rev Caro Willis, the Chaplain at Chilton St James School in Lower Hutt. Her Year 6 students had gathered Read more
The van Orance Sky arrived in New Zealand in October 2018 from Australia. The van is fitted with a shower, two washing machines and a clothes dryer, and open to use for anyone living without these basic necessities. Orange Sky’works in Australia with 27 vehicles servicing 22 cities each week. Read more
An Auckland church providing housing for the homeless for more than a decade has had an influx of people dealing with poor mental health. Faith Family Baptist Church in Panmure offers a 13-week programme to rehouse people in need. Numeracy and literacy classes and assistance with addiction and health were also included. Church kaumātua Tom Read more