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    • November Update from DCM - Together we can end homelessness
      • 96 November Update from DCM - Together we can end homelessness p{ margin:10px 0; padding:0; } table{ border-collapse:collapse; } h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6{ display:block; margin:0; padding:0; } img,a img{ border:0; height:auto; outline:none; text-decoration:none; } body,#bodyTable,#bodyCell{ height:100%; margin:0; padding:0; width:100%; } .mcnPreviewText{ display:none !important; } #outlook a{ padding:0; } img{ -ms-interpolation-mode:bicubic; } table{ mso-table-lspace:0pt; mso-table-rspace:0pt; } .ReadMsgBody{ width:100%; } .ExternalClass{ width:100%; } p,a,li,td,blockquote{ mso-line-height-rule:exactly; } a[href^=tel],a[href^=sms]{ color:inherit; cursor:default; text-decoration:none; } p,a,li,td,body,table,blockquote{ -ms-text-size-adjust:100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust:100%; } .ExternalClass,.ExternalClass p,.ExternalClass td,.ExternalClass div,.ExternalClass span,.ExternalClass font{ line-height:100%; } a[x-apple-data-detectors]{ color:inherit !important; text-decoration:none !important; 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font-size:12px; line-height:150%; text-align:center; } .footerContainer .mcnTextContent a,.footerContainer .mcnTextContent p a{ color:#FFFFFF; font-weight:normal; text-decoration:underline; } @media only screen and (min-width:768px){ .templateContainer{ width:600px !important; } } @media only screen and (max-width: 480px){ body,table,td,p,a,li,blockquote{ -webkit-text-size-adjust:none !important; } } @media only screen and (max-width: 480px){ body{ width:100% !important; min-width:100% !important; } } @media only screen and (max-width: 480px){ .mcnRetinaImage{ max-width:100% !important; } } @media only screen and (max-width: 480px){ .mcnImage{ width:100% !important; } } @media only screen and (max-width: 480px){ .mcnCartContainer,.mcnCaptionTopContent,.mcnRecContentContainer,.mcnCaptionBottomContent,.mcnTextContentContainer,.mcnBoxedTextContentContainer,.mcnImageGroupContentContainer,.mcnCaptionLeftTextContentContainer,.mcnCaptionRightTextContentContainer,.mcnCaptionLeftImageContentContainer,.mcnCaptionRightImageContentContainer,.mcnImageCardLeftTextContentContainer,.mcnImageCardRightTextContentContainer,.mcnImageCardLeftImageContentContainer,.mcnImageCardRightImageContentContainer{ max-width:100% !important; 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} } @media only screen and (max-width: 480px){ .mcnTextContent,.mcnBoxedTextContentColumn{ padding-right:18px !important; padding-left:18px !important; } } @media only screen and (max-width: 480px){ .mcnImageCardLeftImageContent,.mcnImageCardRightImageContent{ padding-right:18px !important; padding-bottom:0 !important; padding-left:18px !important; } } @media only screen and (max-width: 480px){ .mcpreview-image-uploader{ display:none !important; width:100% !important; } } @media only screen and (max-width: 480px){ h1{ font-size:30px !important; line-height:125% !important; } } @media only screen and (max-width: 480px){ h2{ font-size:26px !important; line-height:125% !important; } } @media only screen and (max-width: 480px){ h3{ font-size:20px !important; line-height:150% !important; } } @media only screen and (max-width: 480px){ h4{ font-size:18px !important; line-height:150% !important; } } @media only screen and (max-width: 480px){ .mcnBoxedTextContentContainer .mcnTextContent,.mcnBoxedTextContentContainer .mcnTextContent p{ font-size:14px !important; line-height:150% !important; } } @media only screen and (max-width: 480px){ .headerContainer .mcnTextContent,.headerContainer .mcnTextContent p{ font-size:16px !important; line-height:150% !important; } } @media only screen and (max-width: 480px){ .bodyContainer .mcnTextContent,.bodyContainer .mcnTextContent p{ font-size:16px !important; line-height:150% !important; } } @media only screen and (max-width: 480px){ .footerContainer .mcnTextContent,.footerContainer .mcnTextContent p{ font-size:14px !important; line-height:150% !important; } } Fiona's story Fiona's story My name is Fiona, and I am very proud to be part of the team at DCM. I can’t tell you how much it has meant to me to have this job, and I just love it! But I have always been a worker. I was born in Christchurch in 1962; I was the only girl and grew up with my six brothers. We had to earn our own money because mum and dad were pretty broke. Dad was a slaughter man but it was seasonal work, and my mum was a nurse. We used to go around the streets with home grown veges in a wheelbarrow, my brothers and I. We did raspberry picking on weekends, and I had a paper round. I then went into the shearing sheds, shearing sheep with my brothers. From the age of 15, I was a gang member. Robert Muldoon set up a scheme to help gangs back then, to help them get into work and off the street. I started my apprenticeship to become a chef – it took four years: the first year in the vege room, the second year washing dishes, third year kitchen-hand and in the fourth year I went from third cook, to second to first cook. My gangster career ended when I got a long prison sentence. I made the decision right there and then: I don’t need the gang. I would stand on my own two feet – finally. I used the system to better myself. I joined kapa haka which built my confidence and self-esteem. I put my head down, supported myself in prison by bone carving, and went to all the groups I could think of to sort out my issues. I sat School Cert and academically I grew. But after all those years in jail, when I got out, I realised I still needed to grow emotionally. DCM was there for me when I needed them most. Let me tell you about that. I moved to Wellington 12 years ago where I married my husband. He got cancer and I looked after him for 3 months before he passed away. That led to me abusing alcohol. I moved to a one bedroom flat in Island Bay where I thought I could start over but things went downhill from there. I lost my job, didn’t pay my rent and found myself on the verge of homelessness, and suicide. My power was getting cut off and I was told that I couldn’t go on a benefit for 13 weeks. I heard about this organisation in the city called DCM, so I walked in from Island Bay, asking for help along the way. I believe if I didn’t come down Lukes Lane that day, I would have given up there and then. That’s when my life changed. DCM worked with me to help me get into a new place which I’m still in today. I got on to DCM’s money management programme which helped me pay my rent and bills on time, and debts as well. I’m debt-free today! And I have savings for the first time too. It’s amazing. There are many other great memories of my time as taumai at DCM. The Te Reo classes were very special, and I just loved being part of the DCM Ukes - the rehearsals at Wesley Church, performing at Thanksgiving and other events at DCM. I got a lot out of the self-management for health and wellbeing course I did at DCM too. Yup, DCM supported me when I needed it most, and now I am honoured to be able to support other taumai. I began by volunteering to cook at the DCM Bookfair. On Christmas Day I was part of the team at Te Aro Community Centre feeding the whānau. Then DCM started running peer support courses, and several of the team suggested that I should take part. After the course, I finished off my CV and applied for some of the roles going. I started as a paid support worker – a kaiawhina – at DCM in February 2020, just before the COVID lock-down. During the first lock-down I was working with taumai in emergency housing. We were mainly at the old Night Shelter, doing welfare checks, and other peer support work. Back at DCM, it has just been brilliant. I love the whānau! And especially the equality – being treated the same. I’ve worked all my life but I have never before been in an environment where people are treated as equally as they are at DCM. Peer support can cover a whole lot of tasks. I can be working in Te Hāpai in the mornings, interacting with taumai. I’m there to listen, observe and support. In the afternoons, I may be out with other kaimahi on home visits. We have a lot of taumai who have recently been housed, and we go in to support them. I do the basics – cleaning and showing taumai how to clean. We’ve dealt with hoarders, people who have a lot of challenges, and people who don’t even know how to cook a piece of toast. But generally our taumai take great pride in their whare. They just need the utensils. I ask them what their favourite food is. If it’s scrambled eggs, we make sure they have a frying pan and a whisk, along with some of the basics we take for granted, like a toaster or a microwave. And I love the “Welcome to Your Whare” packs which DCM puts together for people moving in to a home. All those cleaning items are expensive for taumai. Providing them with the basics, and seeing the pride on their faces when they ki te hoe (pick up the paddle), and take care of their own whare, that is a special privilege. I am able to do more and more, to take the initiative. I have a clean driver’s licence, so I can help with driving, shopping, deliveries and home visits. I have finished a Literacy Aotearoa course and am three-quarters of the way through achieving a certificate in health and wellbeing which Paula has been helping me with. I want to do to anything I can to keep developing my skills. Because DCM has given me an amazing opportunity, and I want to grab it with both hands, and to really play my part on this very special team. Most of my work now is with the Aro Mai Housing First team, supporting people who have long histories of homelessness. Photo shoot by Gabrielle McKone. Let me tell you about one man we have housed recently. Patrick* is a long-term rough sleeper who struggles with a critical mental health condition and severe substance abuse, as well as the after-effects of traumatic experiences from his childhood. Now he has his own home – thanks to a local landlord who provided the team with a whare. Twice each week I head out with Patrick’s keyworker to check in on him; we make sure he is doing okay and looking after his whare. To begin with, there was so much about living in a house that he didn’t understand. He didn’t know how to take the washing out of the machine, hold a vacuum cleaner or wipe the benches down. It is the simple stuff that we can show him, and which makes such a difference. Things like what to do with cigarette butts – you don’t drop them on the floor when you have a whare. And we celebrate the small changes – like rather than leaving his dirty clothes scattered all over the floor, he now puts them into his washing basket. Yes, now he is really looking after his home – it looks great. This year I have also been double vaccinated – right here at DCM. It wasn’t easy for me, and it took a while to make the decision. But then we had a vaccine day with Bronwyn from Te Aro Health. I know and trust her and her team, and then I saw taumai who were getting their vaccines and they were so brave. Finally, my fellow kaiawhina Rochelle encouraged me, and we decided to do it together. I am so pleased that we did, because we can now support our taumai, and we know how much they are going to need our support when COVID hits Wellington. Our work will be even more important, and much needed.  Our ultimate goal is to end homelessness and I believe we will get there. We’re all part of the solution. And the work we do here at DCM is a major part of that solution. I am proud and privileged to be part of this team. <!-- --> Jordon Jordon was recently housed thanks to another local landlord who provided a whare, and the support of our Aro Mai Housing First team. This is the first time Jordon has been housed in over a decade. When her keyworker Bella asked her what the best part of having her own whare is, she shared “Having my very own bed - being on the streets is really hard”. We love to be able to lift up taumai like Jordon who have done the hard mahi needed to get housed. Bella was able to take her out shopping thanks to those of you have have donated vouchers. Jordon got herself some items for her bathroom, sheets and two new pillows. “I am excited to be able to put bedding on the spare bed so that I can have family to come stay, hopefully my youngest son... Thank you so much guys, I really appreciate it.” Ka mau te wehi Jordon! <!-- --> Acknowledging David Zwartz At DCM’s AGM this month, we were able to acknowledge the contribution of retiring board member, David Zwartz, who joined the DCM board in 2005. A member of Temple Sinai and a past President of the New Zealand Jewish Council, David has been a passionate advocate for interfaith cooperation. He is proud of the different perspectives which are now involved in DCM’s governance, and hopes that this will continue to widen. Thank you David for all your mahi on behalf of the most marginalised people in our community. <!-- --> Re-stocking our Foodbank Kia ora rawa atu ki a koutou! Thank you to everyone who purchased items for our Foodbank re-stock on Saturday, to New World Chaffers and Wesley Church for providing the venues, and to our lovely team of volunteers who gave up their time to collect the items and sort them. If you weren’t able to get down to the city last weekend, we would love any groceries you are able to drop in to our collection bin at New World Chaffers. And our friends at Ngaio Union Church accept donations for our Foodbank on the first Saturday morning of each month. That means that you can drop some items to them this weekend.  <!-- --> How can I help? As we look ahead to 2022, and a time when COVID will be in our communities and a part of our daily lives, we know that the people DCM supports will be the most impacted. They will need our support more than ever as they experience illness and isolation, many of them without any family support. If you would like to make a donation to DCM this Christmas so that we can continue to provide this level of support to the most vulnerable in the year ahead, please visit our website. If you are, or know, a landlord who would like to speak with us about providing a home for people like Patrick and Jordon, our Director, Stephen Turnock would love to hear from you. Together, and at the most challenging of times, we will continue to do something very special. <!-- --> *Not his real name. We call the people we work with taumai, meaning to settle. This reflects the journey we set out on together – to become settled, stable and well.   Support DCM! Nāku te rourou, nāu te rourou, ka ora ai te iwi With your basket and my basket, the people will thrive <!-- --> Copyright © 2021 DCM. All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: DCMPO Box 6133Marion SqWellington, Wellington 6011 New ZealandAdd us to your address book Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.
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    • Douglas shares his story - October at DCM
      • 96 Douglas shares his story - October at DCM p{ margin:10px 0; padding:0; } table{ border-collapse:collapse; } h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6{ display:block; margin:0; padding:0; } img,a img{ border:0; height:auto; outline:none; text-decoration:none; } body,#bodyTable,#bodyCell{ height:100%; margin:0; padding:0; width:100%; } .mcnPreviewText{ display:none !important; } #outlook a{ padding:0; } img{ -ms-interpolation-mode:bicubic; } table{ mso-table-lspace:0pt; mso-table-rspace:0pt; } .ReadMsgBody{ width:100%; } .ExternalClass{ width:100%; } p,a,li,td,blockquote{ mso-line-height-rule:exactly; } a[href^=tel],a[href^=sms]{ color:inherit; cursor:default; text-decoration:none; } p,a,li,td,body,table,blockquote{ -ms-text-size-adjust:100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust:100%; } .ExternalClass,.ExternalClass p,.ExternalClass td,.ExternalClass div,.ExternalClass span,.ExternalClass font{ line-height:100%; } a[x-apple-data-detectors]{ color:inherit !important; text-decoration:none !important; font-size:inherit !important; 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} .footerContainer .mcnTextContent a,.footerContainer .mcnTextContent p a{ color:#FFFFFF; font-weight:normal; text-decoration:underline; } @media only screen and (min-width:768px){ .templateContainer{ width:600px !important; } } @media only screen and (max-width: 480px){ body,table,td,p,a,li,blockquote{ -webkit-text-size-adjust:none !important; } } @media only screen and (max-width: 480px){ body{ width:100% !important; min-width:100% !important; } } @media only screen and (max-width: 480px){ .mcnRetinaImage{ max-width:100% !important; } } @media only screen and (max-width: 480px){ .mcnImage{ width:100% !important; } } @media only screen and (max-width: 480px){ .mcnCartContainer,.mcnCaptionTopContent,.mcnRecContentContainer,.mcnCaptionBottomContent,.mcnTextContentContainer,.mcnBoxedTextContentContainer,.mcnImageGroupContentContainer,.mcnCaptionLeftTextContentContainer,.mcnCaptionRightTextContentContainer,.mcnCaptionLeftImageContentContainer,.mcnCaptionRightImageContentContainer,.mcnImageCardLeftTextContentContainer,.mcnImageCardRightTextContentContainer,.mcnImageCardLeftImageContentContainer,.mcnImageCardRightImageContentContainer{ max-width:100% !important; 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} } @media only screen and (max-width: 480px){ .mcnTextContent,.mcnBoxedTextContentColumn{ padding-right:18px !important; padding-left:18px !important; } } @media only screen and (max-width: 480px){ .mcnImageCardLeftImageContent,.mcnImageCardRightImageContent{ padding-right:18px !important; padding-bottom:0 !important; padding-left:18px !important; } } @media only screen and (max-width: 480px){ .mcpreview-image-uploader{ display:none !important; width:100% !important; } } @media only screen and (max-width: 480px){ h1{ font-size:30px !important; line-height:125% !important; } } @media only screen and (max-width: 480px){ h2{ font-size:26px !important; line-height:125% !important; } } @media only screen and (max-width: 480px){ h3{ font-size:20px !important; line-height:150% !important; } } @media only screen and (max-width: 480px){ h4{ font-size:18px !important; line-height:150% !important; } } @media only screen and (max-width: 480px){ .mcnBoxedTextContentContainer .mcnTextContent,.mcnBoxedTextContentContainer .mcnTextContent p{ font-size:14px !important; line-height:150% !important; } } @media only screen and (max-width: 480px){ .headerContainer .mcnTextContent,.headerContainer .mcnTextContent p{ font-size:16px !important; line-height:150% !important; } } @media only screen and (max-width: 480px){ .bodyContainer .mcnTextContent,.bodyContainer .mcnTextContent p{ font-size:16px !important; line-height:150% !important; } } @media only screen and (max-width: 480px){ .footerContainer .mcnTextContent,.footerContainer .mcnTextContent p{ font-size:14px !important; line-height:150% !important; } } Douglas is a warm-hearted man of Samoan descent who has faced many challenges in his life, struggling to find spaces to belong. Douglas's story 'O LE TAGATA MA LONA AIGA, O LE TAGATA MA LONA FA'ASINOMAGA' 'A person and their family is a person and their identity' - Samoan muagagana (whakatauki) Douglas is a warm-hearted man of Samoan descent who has faced many challenges in his life, struggling to find spaces to belong. From childhood, things have not been easy for him. He was removed from his family at a young age, and as an adult has struggled with addictions, and poor health. He has been able to hold down a tenancy at some times in his life, while at others he has cycled through various forms of homelessness – rough sleeping, couch surfing, emergency accommodation and the Night Shelter. Douglas has connected with many different DCM kaimahi since he first walked through our doors in 2008, in particular our Pasifika and Māori staff. Over the years, he has been supported by a wide range of DCM services. When he was unable to access a bank account and benefit, this gap was filled by DCM’s Money Management Service. DCM has supported him with budgeting and Work and Income advocacy, and with sorting his debts. Douglas has received emergency dental treatment at DCM on several occasions, and has lost count of the number of times DCM has stepped in with food support for him when the money has run out. Douglas has now been housed for some time in Berhampore, with the support of DCM’s Sustaining Tenancies team. But perhaps even more importantly, DCM has been able to support Douglas to rebuild connection with his family, and to connect and find his place in his own community. Photo shoot by Nikki Parlane. “I was born in Wellington and grew up in a Samoan family. My father was the caretaker at Wesley Methodist Church on Taranaki Street. I was the ‘black sheep’ of my family. I didn’t see eye to eye with my father or my brothers due to my sexuality,” Douglas shares, “which isn’t just a Christian thing, it’s also cultural. Growing up, I didn’t feel loved because of who I was. It was hard for them to accept me.” But through it all, Douglas never lost his desire to reconnect with his whānau. This disconnection and sense of rejection had a lasting impact on him, and on his mental health and addictions. As DCM built stronger connections with Douglas, it became clear how very important this reconnection was for Douglas’s wellbeing. Sia To’omaga is DCM’s Practice Lead. Her team delivers DCM’s Sustaining Tenancies and Community Connections programmes. They work with vulnerable tenants in their communities so that they do not fall back into homelessness, and are supported to thrive in their lives. “We have so many connections with Douglas,” says Sia. “Even before he came to DCM back in 2008, he already knew Regina from the Benefit Rights Service, where she used to work. And Douglas and I have a family connection. So when I came to DCM I already knew his whānau. And I knew Douglas was estranged from them, and how much this had affected his life. When his father died, it was a chance for him to reconnect. We made sure he was decked out in new clothes and new shoes and Regina and I took him to the funeral. He had to sit up front. That was a huge moment for Douglas, and the significance of that moment is hard to explain. Mostly it was a time to heal old wounds. Since then Douglas has been trying to make sense of his world. By the time of his brother's funeral, his relationship with his whānau had improved massively.” “I was left out in the dark,” agrees Douglas, “until I lost my parents. Then, my relationship with my brothers started to improve. Finally, when my older brother died, I was able to really connect with my other siblings, and we’ve been a lot closer since.” In Samoan, so'otaga refers to the making of connections, and feso'otaga to the connectivity between people. The past 12 months have brought more challenges for Douglas. The Covid-19 lockdown was hard on him – “There were no positives for me – though I understand it’s better to be safe than sorry. The hardest part for me was being stuck in a bubble. I wanted to reach out to my brothers and nieces, but I couldn’t.” He has also been coping with other health concerns. Recent surgery has made accessibility to his whare a challenge, but with DCM’s support, he is working through that as well. And the past year has brought positives too. Douglas is really enjoying connecting with DCM and his community at his local community centre. Sia and DCM’s Sustaining Tenancies team lead DCM’s community connections programme. When people move into their own homes, we want to spend time with them in their new communities, rather than having them come in to DCM in Lukes Lane. This programme is focused on building strong connections between taumai and their neighbours and other groups close to their homes, so that they can not only sustain their tenancies, but thrive – in their lives and their communities. Douglas rates the Community Connections programme highly. “I think it’s a good move. It’s good for people to see DCM out in the community. A lot of people don’t know what DCM’s about, so it’s great that the staff can catch up with people right where they live. It’s not just those of us who have been supported by DCM for years who can be part of this, but others who are struggling too.” Sophie McKenna is the lead dentist at the DCM Dental Service. Her calm and reassuring manner is a taonga, and she is able to support taumai who have considerable anxiety around dental treatment. At an emergency appointment at DCM this year, Douglas saw dentist Sophie McKenna, who discovered that he had a bad infection which needed urgent treatment. Sophie was then able to catch up with Douglas at DCM’s first mobile dental clinic right in his own community at DCM's Community Connections programme there. She checked on his progress, and explained how a referral for dentures could work to better improve his oral health. Douglas has been following this up and is getting along to the hospital appointments needed to make that happen. He has also been fully vaccinated against Covid at DCM’s vaccination clinics, and is regularly attending counselling sessions. “Mama Dee suggested I keep that going, so I will.” During his life Douglas has done a lot of voluntary work, especially with Pasifika social services where his fluency in both English and Samoan has been an asset. He has to focus on getting his health back on track first, but then he really wants to get involved with peer support at DCM, so that he can support others to build connections. He knows how very important this is. “I’ve had some tough times,” says Douglas, “and DCM has been there to back me up. Thank you to all those I’ve connected with over the years. And especially to Sia, Regina, Stephanie, Alan, Ula and now Mama Dee. Thank you for being there for me.” “The majority of the people who come to DCM are estranged from their families,” says Sia. “When we have the privilege to be part of whānau reunification – at any level – it is such a beautiful thing. We don't take the positions we have here for granted!” Douglas is on a pathway to the life he has wanted for so long, a life in which he has his own place to call home, and regular contact with his family. His is a story about the importance of connections, and about the transformation that can take place in the lives of the most vulnerable when we are able to support them to build and rebuild those connections – with their whānau, with us and with their communities.   <!-- --> In the news... Interview with Stephen This month DCM’s Director Stephen Turnock talked about our mahi with Maggie from Radio Active, DCM’s neighbours in Lukes Lane. Tune in to hear the interview here! COVID vaccination clinics The New Zealand Herald visited DCM to learn more about the COVID vaccination clinics which DCM and Te Aro Health have been running for the most vulnerable people in Wellington. Read all about it here. Saturday 16 October saw DCM kaimahi out encouraging New Zealanders to get vaccinated. Super Saturday And of course also in the news this month has been the Super Saturday Vaxathon. DCM kaimahi headed out on the streets that day to encourage people to take the opportunity to get vaccinated and to point them in the right direction. This is one very important thing we can do to protect the most marginalised in our community, including those who are experiencing homelessness. One of these DCM kaimahi was Bella from the Aro Mai Housing First team. “It was genuinely a fun day,” she tells us. “People were really positive. Most were already double vaxxed but we had quite a few people asking to be pointed in the direction of the vaccination centres – wanting to make the most of the walk in, no booking opportunity. Lots of people who were already vaccinated thanked us for the effort. I got myself vaccinated when DCM first got called up. Being a young, healthy person, I didn't really get vaccinated for myself. Rather I got vaccinated for those who are more vulnerable...my grandparents, taumai, those who are immunocompromised. If me getting vaccinated can play any part in protecting these vulnerable people, then I'm happy to do this. To those who are hesitant, I would suggest that you take the same approach. I understand being worried about the impact it might have on you, but if you can – it really is the selfless decision to protect those more vulnerable than you.” <!-- --> How can I help? Get vaccinated! Here at DCM we are doing everything we can to ensure the Covid vaccine is as accessible for taumai as possible, and you can help protect the most marginalised in our community by getting vaccinated too. It has never been easier. Help us re-stock our Foodbank On the first Saturday of the month, Ngaio Union Church open their doors to receive food to help re-stock DCM's Foodbank shelves. Please bring along any food items you would like to donate on Saturday 6 November to 3 Kenya Street between 10am-12pm. We also have a Foodbank bin at New World Chaffers where you can drop items off anytime. And on the fourth Saturday in November we will be holding our Christmas Foodbank Appeal. Follow our Facebook page for more updates or if you would like to help, please get in touch with Matt. Vouchers for taumai We asked; you delivered! Thanks to all of you who donated vouchers for us to take taumai out to purchase items for their new whare. Sharnia is someone who has had a really tough time, and we're proud to see the progress she has made right up to being housed recently. Bella was able to take her to Briscoes to choose for herself some much needed items for her new home. Sharnia really enjoyed this: “Thank you so much, this is so fun, I’m excited!” We have now used up these vouchers and would love to receive more so that other taumai doing the hard mahi to get housed can also be lifted up in this way. If you can help with this, please drop off vouchers to DCM or visit our website. A heads up... On Tuesday 23 November at 5:30pm we will be holding the DCM Annual General Meeting. This may be able to be held in person, and/or we may need to facilitate this year’s AGM by Zoom. If you would like to attend, please email us and we will be in touch with further details. <!-- --> *We call the people we work with taumai, meaning to settle. This reflects the journey we set out on together – to become settled, stable and well.   Support DCM! Nāku te rourou, nāu te rourou, ka ora ai te iwi With your basket and my basket, the people will thrive <!-- --> Copyright © 2021 DCM. All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: DCMPO Box 6133Marion SqWellington, Wellington 6011 New ZealandAdd us to your address book Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.
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    • Lifting up the most marginalised during Lockdown 2021
      • 96 Lifting up the most marginalised during Lockdown 2021 p{ margin:10px 0; padding:0; } table{ border-collapse:collapse; } h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6{ display:block; margin:0; padding:0; } img,a img{ border:0; height:auto; outline:none; text-decoration:none; } body,#bodyTable,#bodyCell{ height:100%; margin:0; padding:0; width:100%; } .mcnPreviewText{ display:none !important; } #outlook a{ padding:0; } img{ -ms-interpolation-mode:bicubic; } table{ mso-table-lspace:0pt; mso-table-rspace:0pt; } .ReadMsgBody{ width:100%; } .ExternalClass{ width:100%; } p,a,li,td,blockquote{ mso-line-height-rule:exactly; } a[href^=tel],a[href^=sms]{ color:inherit; cursor:default; text-decoration:none; } p,a,li,td,body,table,blockquote{ -ms-text-size-adjust:100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust:100%; } .ExternalClass,.ExternalClass p,.ExternalClass td,.ExternalClass div,.ExternalClass span,.ExternalClass font{ line-height:100%; } a[x-apple-data-detectors]{ color:inherit !important; text-decoration:none !important; font-size:inherit !important; 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line-height:150% !important; } } @media only screen and (max-width: 480px){ .headerContainer .mcnTextContent,.headerContainer .mcnTextContent p{ font-size:16px !important; line-height:150% !important; } } @media only screen and (max-width: 480px){ .bodyContainer .mcnTextContent,.bodyContainer .mcnTextContent p{ font-size:16px !important; line-height:150% !important; } } @media only screen and (max-width: 480px){ .footerContainer .mcnTextContent,.footerContainer .mcnTextContent p{ font-size:14px !important; line-height:150% !important; } } Lockdown 2021 has seen us working together once again to ensure that the most marginalised are supported at this challenging time. Lifting up the most marginalised during Lockdown 2021 Just as we did in 2020, Lockdown 2021 has seen us working together once again, to ensure that the most marginalised are supported at this challenging time. From DCM kaimahi, to our team of health professionals, to our wonderful supporters - here members of team DCM talk about their work supporting the most marginalised during the latest lockdown. Natalia Outreach team Natalia and Joanne headed out on outreach together during lockdown. “We had a pair on outreach every day during lockdown, following up on notifications sent to us from the council or the public. We had way more notifications in the three weeks at levels 3 and 4 than we had had in the previous entire month. During lockdown, everyone on team DCM works together, doing whatever it takes to support taumai* during these challenging times. Members of our Outreach team have manned the 0800 number, been scribe support for kaimahi who were on the ground, supported on-site sessions, and delivered food and welfare checks, all on top of following up on notifications. Members of other teams have also gone out with us when we have needed support. Joanne has been a fantastic member of team DCM for some years now; she is currently part of the Aro Mai Housing First team out at the Hutt. One afternoon during lockdown, Joanne and I were doing street outreach around the Wellington CBD. We had some notifications to check on, and as we were walking back to base we came across a taumai who everyone at DCM had been trying to find during the week – we wanted to get him into the emergency accommodation (EH) that had been booked for him. With appropriate social distancing, Joanne and I were able to bundle him and his blankets up and to walk him about a kilometre up the road to the EH where he happily checked in. It helped that Joanne bought him some coffee, sugar and milk and promised him that she would deliver a food parcel to him the next day; this was enough incentive for him to stay. It was a job very well done, and at last we were able to head back to the office. Just before we got to Dixon Street who did we see, but another taumai who everyone at DCM had been looking for and trying to get into the accommodation. After a bit of convincing (and half of Joanne’s cheese scone – boy she’s good!!), he too turned around and followed us up to the accommodation and happily checked in. What a long, but successful day that one was! When the rest of the city goes in to lockdown, DCM and our NGO colleagues continue to fill the void that other agencies and businesses leave when they close their doors. For example, people can contact MSD case managers by phone, but what if you don’t have a phone or any money to buy one? People who have no fixed abode and lose their Eftpos cards can’t access their money because the banks are closed and so they cannot go into a bank to order a new card. Rather they would have to log in to internet banking (a barrier for most of the people we work with) and have a bank card sent to their address (another barrier for many taumai). In these real life lockdown examples, DCM has stepped in to give people cell phones with credit, and to organise for benefits to be sent to DCM’s MMS account and taumai given DCM Eftpos cards in the meantime, so they can access their money. We leave the safety of our own homes and safe bubbles, to continue to offer face to face, daily support for people who cannot access some basic human rights, because those who provide the services aren’t able to offer a solution that meets the needs of their most marginalised clients.” George Aro Mai Housing First team George and Jay load up the car with food parcels to be delivered to taumai during lockdown. “I joined the team at DCM in June, so I was still a fairly new team member when we went back in to lockdown. We were immediately paired up with a bubble partner; I was paired with Jay and the two of us worked together throughout the lockdown period. I would begin my working day by checking flags and emails, before heading out to pick up Jay. We always had one in the front and one in the back when we were together in a car. We would arrive at DCM at our allocated time to load our food parcels into the car. Jay and I would make a plan as to where we should head first – delivering food parcels, checking in on someone who is isolated, ensuring people have their money cards, or getting a phone to someone who doesn’t have one. I would drive, Jay would sit in the back and keep checking our list of addresses and phone numbers for the taumai who needed our support. We called taumai when we arrived or we knocked. People were so pleased to see us and thankful for the food and social contact. DCM had allocated a scribe for the day to each pair bubble, so we would phone our scribe and get them to type up any notes for us into the database, or do any research we needed done. Often extra things came up, like one man who we were delivering a food parcel to who told us he needed his prescription renewed. We were able to sort this over the phone.   When we were not going out to connect with taumai, we spent a lot of time working to get others into emergency housing. We connected people with the health and other supports they needed, supported them with budgeting and access to money, and found out things for them, like if they needed to go to court under level 3. We were involved in many meetings by Zoom. We were every bit as busy during lockdown as we would be on an average day at DCM, and we were able to provide the same level of support, safely – by being creative, committed and kind.” Delena Sustaining Tenancies team Delena is part of the Sustaining Tenancies team, working with vulnerable tenants at risk of falling back in to homelessness and delivering DCM’s community connections programme. Photo by Nikki Parlane. “During the lockdown period, DCM was divided into different bubbles. I enjoyed being in a bubble with Tabitha from the Aro Mai Housing First team. This was a great opportunity to get to know someone from another team. We would start our day by planning it out geographically – figure out who we needed to visit and where they lived to make things as smooth-sailing as possible. Food was definitely an important support for taumai during lockdown, and we were able to take food parcels to those who needed them, leaving them at their door. It can be a challenge for taumai to prepare their own meals. It’s not just the skills, but often they don’t have access to even basic items like can-openers. We had two taumai in their own bubble; I made it my mission to get them an appropriate food parcel so they could eat together. They have been a good example of how our taumai support one another, how important this has been during lockdown, and how a simple thing like preparing a meal together can give them such a sense of achievement. One other thing we discovered all over again was that our taumai were desperate for someone to talk to.  Some of them would be calling over and over again on the 0800 number, and we knew they needed the reassurance of a visit to settle them. We were able to speak with them at a safe distance during lockdown. It’s in their faces – you can always see in the eyes of our taumai how important the time we spend with them is to them.” Sophie Lead Dentist Sophie ran a dental session at DCM as soon as we moved back to Level 2, providing emergency treatment to those taumai who were in the most pain. “At any level of lockdown I am just on the other end of the phone. We can triage taumai's needs and from what is being described, I'll quickly be able to tell if they need an urgent appointment at the hospital or if we can put a band aid on in the form of antibiotics, until DCM is able to open again. Fortunately emailing prescriptions has been made much easier nowadays. And as soon as we were back at level 2, we dentists were able to get back to DCM to run emergency dental sessions for those in the most pain. Taumai have been absolutely amazing, working in with DCM's level 2 safety guidelines, and as always, the people we're seeing here don't have easy access to dental care. It is great to be back on site here at DCM where they feel comfortable.” Stephen Director, DCM Stephen and Paula were one of the pair bubbles who led on site sessions at DCM, working differently to ensure support could be provided to the most marginalised in a safe way. Photo by Nikki Parlane. “At DCM, we were one of the few organisations able to continue to support the most marginalised people in our city face to face during alert level 4. We know that our taumai are even more vulnerable and isolated at times like this. How do we respond as an essential service, when others have closed their doors? The great news is that taumai were able to engage with us on our 0800 number, with some in-person mahi delivered at a safe distance.  Another key focus for us has been to ensure taumai have access to the COVID vaccine. Offering the vaccine at DCM during alert level 4 was challenging, but also absolutely necessary. We know how very vulnerable these people are to the Delta variant.  And yesterday, we were able to offer a third vaccine day at DCM, with even more of the most vulnerable receiving their first or second dose of the vaccine. If there are any ways we at DCM can ensure taumai are not even more marginalised as a result of COVID and lockdowns, we will search them out and deliver them. This has always been DCM’s kaupapa, and is what we are all about. We know this is why so many of you support our mahi, and why you have stepped up again during lockdown 2021, donating money and food so that we can carry on.” The Wellington community Together we can end homelessness During lockdown, taumai like Mahir were so appreciative of the groceries we were able to leave for them on their doorsteps. Lockdown 2021 has again reminded us that the people of Wellington really do have our backs, and the backs of our taumai. A number of you have made donations to DCM during this time, to enable us to continue to do the mahi which members of the team have shared with you here. During the lockdown levels, DCM has provided far more food support to the most vulnerable people than we usually would – and as a result, our foodbank shelves have been emptied. Many of you have understood this, and stepped up to help. From the Freemasons Charity, the St John’s Trust Op Shop and St. John's in the City who provided extra dollars for us to purchase food, to New World Chaffers who, when they received a large order from us, provided all of the items as a donation. Ngaio Union Church opened their doors to people who wanted to donate food items for DCM to re-stock our foodbank; the two women seen here with minister Sue Brown travelled all the way from Miramar where the Grind Health & Fitness gym had organised a collection. Ka mau te wehi! Last weekend, our friends at Ngaio Union Church opened their doors for local people to bring in food donations to restock our shelves. Yes, Lockdown 2021 has provided many examples of how the Wellington community comes together to support DCM and the people we work with. If you would also like to help in this way, remember that you can donate groceries at any time to our foodbank bin at New World Chaffers, and that there are a number of different ways in which you can make donations to our work. <!-- --> *We call the people we work with taumai, meaning to settle. This reflects the journey we set out on together – to become settled, stable and well.   Support DCM! Nāku te rourou, nāu te rourou, ka ora ai te iwi With your basket and my basket, the people will thrive <!-- --> Copyright © 2021 DCM. All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: DCMPO Box 6133Marion SqWellington, Wellington 6011 New ZealandAdd us to your address book Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.
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        • Ngaio, Wellington, Wellington City, Wellington, New Zealand (OpenStreetMap)


    • December Update from DCM - together we can end homelessness
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} } @media only screen and (max-width: 480px){ .mcnTextContent,.mcnBoxedTextContentColumn{ padding-right:18px !important; padding-left:18px !important; } } @media only screen and (max-width: 480px){ .mcnImageCardLeftImageContent,.mcnImageCardRightImageContent{ padding-right:18px !important; padding-bottom:0 !important; padding-left:18px !important; } } @media only screen and (max-width: 480px){ .mcpreview-image-uploader{ display:none !important; width:100% !important; } } @media only screen and (max-width: 480px){ h1{ font-size:30px !important; line-height:125% !important; } } @media only screen and (max-width: 480px){ h2{ font-size:26px !important; line-height:125% !important; } } @media only screen and (max-width: 480px){ h3{ font-size:20px !important; line-height:150% !important; } } @media only screen and (max-width: 480px){ h4{ font-size:18px !important; line-height:150% !important; } } @media only screen and (max-width: 480px){ .mcnBoxedTextContentContainer .mcnTextContent,.mcnBoxedTextContentContainer .mcnTextContent p{ font-size:14px !important; line-height:150% !important; } } @media only screen and (max-width: 480px){ .headerContainer .mcnTextContent,.headerContainer .mcnTextContent p{ font-size:16px !important; line-height:150% !important; } } @media only screen and (max-width: 480px){ .bodyContainer .mcnTextContent,.bodyContainer .mcnTextContent p{ font-size:16px !important; line-height:150% !important; } } @media only screen and (max-width: 480px){ .footerContainer .mcnTextContent,.footerContainer .mcnTextContent p{ font-size:14px !important; line-height:150% !important; } } December Update from DCM - together we can end homelessness A gift from our taumai to you We come to the end of a season when many of us have been able to enjoy time with our families and friends, and have given and received gifts. Tuku atu, tuku mai - the spirit and practice of generosity and reciprocity - is very important to us here at DCM. Being able to give as well as receive enhances the mana of all of us. Over this Christmas period, many of you have generously provided gifts for our taumai – people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. And so now it is time for us to offer YOU a gift. One of the gifts our taumai can share is the gift of their stories, the stories of what success looks like, of the life-changing work that is possible thanks to your support and our shared commitment to ending homelessness. Wayne's view It’s a stunner of a view from Wayne’s 10th floor whare. He can gaze out across Te Aro to Wellington Harbour and Mt Victoria. It’s almost the perfect reverse of his view during the winter of 2018. That was from the slopes of Mt Victoria, from a tent hidden in the bush.   Read Wayne's story here. Enjoy, reflect, and know that your support has made this all possible. <!-- --> 250 dental sessions This month, we ran our 250th dental session here at DCM. What a phenomenal gift to the most marginalised people in our city this service is. "I've been putting up with sore front teeth for eight years and recently haven’t been able to eat properly. Within an hour of walking in to DCM, all of my problem teeth had been extracted. The dentist was kind, polite and thorough and I’m just so happy with the result. The alternative would have been to keep putting up with the pain for another eight years." (Simon) "I came in to DCM to talk about housing, and heard about the DCM dental service. I haven’t seen a dentist since I was a child – I extract my own teeth whenever they become too painful. Wow, I just feel so good after seeing the dentist here." (Robert) Bill ended up in the Night Shelter after family problems compounded by his meth addiction saw him sleeping at a reserve. He came to DCM after he heard from other taumai about the hospitality available here. Like all taumai who come to DCM Bill was asked if he needed a dental appointment - and now off meth he had started to notice that he was experiencing severe dental pain. Bill was able to be treated and though he has a long road ahead on his journey to wellbeing, he is now free from the worst pain caused by 20+ years of addiction. We have a lengthy waiting list for dental appointments, and urgently need more dentists and dental assistants to become part of our amazing team. Please ask your own dentist if they volunteer at DCM – if they do, lift them up for the very practical way in which they are part of the solution to homelessness. If they don’t, encourage them to get in touch. <!-- --> Together we can end homelessness - at Christmas and in the New Year At this time of year, we are reminded every day of the kindness and commitment of the people of Wellington to our taumai and our mahi. If you follow us on Facebook, you will have seen some of our stories about the range of people and organisations who have brought in food, gifts, baking, donations, their time and their skills. From our friends at Live Wires who paid for all the items we need to prepare 200 Christmas hampers for taumai, to those of you who offered to buy us something we really need and can enjoy together (yes, we were able to purchase an entire new set of chairs for everyone who spends time at Te Hāpai!), to the people of Ngaio Union Church who bought gifts for taumai spending their first Christmas in their new home, to the many locals and workplaces who brought in supplies for our foodbank, to the Nota Bene concert at Prefab...the list goes on and on. As we move into a new year, you may like to reflect on new ways you can become involved in 2020 – here is some food for thought. Thank you, Wellington, for the many practical ways in which you are part of the solution to homelessness. Ngā mihi o te Tau Hou. <!-- --> Please help us get the message out there! Forward this email on to everyone you can think of who may be interested in how to respond to homelessness, and just generally people who are passionate about Wellington. <!-- --> Read More Success Stories Nāku te rourou, nāu te rourou, ka ora ai te iwi With your basket and my basket, the people will thrive <!-- --> Copyright © 2019 DCM. All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: DCMPO Box 6133Marion SqWellington, Wellington 6011 New ZealandAdd us to your address book Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.
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        • Ngaio, Wellington, Wellington City, Wellington, New Zealand (OpenStreetMap)


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