August Update from DCM - Together we can end homelessness

• 30 Aug 2021
• Downtown Community Ministry
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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; } } "I chose to get vaccinated because..." Working together to protect taumai DCM and Te Aro Health Centre (TAHC) have a long history of working together to support the most marginalised people in our city. TAHC operates a satellite outreach clinic at DCM three mornings a week. Over the past month, a key joint focus has been on ensuring that these vulnerable people are protected against COVID-19. The importance of this was brought into even sharper focus when our second vaccine clinic at DCM had to be postponed due to New Zealand entering another Level 4 lockdown. But as has always been the case at DCM, we found a way to make this work – and were able to continue to vaccinate those who need it most at a second vaccine day during lockdown. Here DCM’s Director, Stephen Turnock, and TAHC Nurse Practitioner/Clinic Lead, Bronwyn Boele van Hensbroek-Miller, talk about their shared commitment to the people who DCM calls taumai*. Before our first DCM vaccine day, we had lots of kōrero with taumai, ensuring they had the information they needed and that all their questions were answered. Here Bronwyn and Stephen lead a COVID vaccine information session at DCM. Stephen: Here at DCM this month, we have been reflecting on human rights – the basic rights and freedoms that belong to every person. As a nation, we have signed up to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, yet so many of the people DCM supports do not have access to these basic rights. Article 25 states that everyone has 'the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and wellbeing of himself and his family' – including medical care. Our partnership with Te Aro Health Centre (TAHC) is key to providing this care for the people who come through our doors. Bronwyn: Yes, at Te Aro Health, we believe that everyone has a right to maintain good health and to have access to high quality health services. We work to assist those in Wellington’s inner city, with low or no income, and with other barriers to accessing healthcare, to achieve and maintain good health. Our priority is to enrol those who are homeless, those with a history of drug and alcohol abuse and those who have a mental illness. It was a very different world when the first vaccine clinic was held at DCM pre-lockdown. Stephen: Having TAHC and a team of vaccinators offer the COVID-19 vaccine here at DCM has been great for taumai – for them, it's all about accessibility. Having the vaccine available at DCM where they feel comfortable, among people they trust, has been an important factor. Last year, during our first lockdown, Bronwyn and her team went out alongside DCM kaimahi to connect with taumai in emergency housing, offering flu shots and health support. Every week, they are here at DCM, seeing taumai and addressing any health needs they may have: from long-term health issues through to injuries, rapid testing and treatment for hepatitis, and of course their mental health needs. And when we were again not able to open at DCM in Lukes Lane during this month’s Level 4 lockdown, TAHC continued to offer their support including COVID tests from their own health rooms nearby. In the weeks preceding our vaccine days at DCM, we have spoken with taumai, answered their questions and heard them share their own reasons for getting vaccinated. For our first vaccine day, we offered transport to DCM for those who needed it, so that they could receive their vaccine. We provided kai, community and waiata to taumai as they waited with us for 20 minutes after their vaccine. And after this time, we cheered for each person as they left, thanking them for the part they have played in keeping themselves, their whānau and all of us – their community – safe. Bronwyn: And then when we found ourselves in another lockdown, we worked together to find a way to continue vaccinating safely. TAHC enormously values the collaboration we have with DCM so it was great that last week we were again able to offer vaccines at DCM under Level 4 – masked up and safely spaced – enabling dozens of taumai to receive their first dose, and many their second. Rough sleepers who have been very reluctant to be vaccinated came forward and showed such courage. They are doing their part, just as so many other New Zealanders are. Yes, this is just one more example of how we can support the health and wellbeing of the most vulnerable people in our community when we all work together. Last week, taumai were able to safely access a COVID vaccine at DCM under Level 4 thanks to Bronwyn and her team. 24 received their second doses, while 56 received their first. At this challenging time, DCM was also able to support them in other ways. One very vulnerable man received his vaccine, and then we were able to arrange emergency housing for him. <!-- --> "I chose to get vaccinated because..." Our director Stephen led the way and was the first member of team DCM to get vaccinated. "I chose to get vaccinated to not only protect myself and my whānau but also to protect my community and those I interact with on a daily basis. As a middle-aged Māori, I also recognise that we have an increased risk of infection, hospitalisation and death. Therefore if my choice to be vaccinated results in more health resources available for others in need...Tu meke!!!" Some of our kaimahi received their vaccine at DCM – to inspire taumai to get their vaccine too. Delena (Mama Dee) is a member of team DCM who heads out to community centres as part of DCM’s community connections mahi: “I chose to get vaccinated in order to become a safer member of my community – I did it for my whānau, my colleagues at DCM, and the wider community.” Fiona is one of DCM's kaiawhina (peer support workers). She received her vaccine here at DCM alongside taumai. "I chose to be vaccinated because I care about our whānau – both those we support here in this special community which is DCM, and my whānau down south. It was in the back of my mind for a while, but being able to get the vaccine here at DCM – well, it was a no-brainer." Manu was the first of many taumai to receive the COVID vaccine at DCM. "Why did I choose to get vaccinated? I have been coming to DCM for 16 years. It takes 10 years to get to know me! But now I feel comfortable here because I know you all, and you know me. And I was reminded of a verse – 'Evening passed and morning came'. We have all been through some tough times, but now there is something we can do for ourselves and for others." Nicole was also one of the first to line up for a vaccine at DCM. "I chose to get vaccinated because I'm pregnant and I want to protect my baby." Some taumai shared beautiful reflections with us. One man told us: "I know that my ancestors have got my back. I just imagined, 'what if I got COVID and took it back to my marae?' I couldn't face my ancestors... So I looked up to the sky and thought, 'we got this'." <!-- --> Supporting the most marginalised during lockdown DCM kaimahi have been working in designated pair "bubbles", to keep everyone safe. Here George and Jay are all loaded up and ready to hit the road, delivering much needed food support to taumai. At alert Level 4, we have not been able to invite taumai to spend time with us here at DCM, or to meet with them out in the community centres near to their homes when they are housed. However as always, DCM has remained committed to supporting the most marginalised in many different ways. Taumai can get hold of us on a dedicated 0800 number and phones are again available for those who need them. The Outreach team has been heading out on the streets to connect with rough sleepers, while the Aro Mai Housing First and Sustaining Tenancies teams continue to provide a wide range of services to taumai throughout the Wellington region, ensuring they are well connected and supported during this difficult time. Food has been dropped on the doorstep for those who need it most, and emergency housing arranged for those without shelter. Our teams have also been calling taumai to check in with them and see how they are doing. Taumai often tell us that it is this contact and kōrero that they value most; lockdown is a very lonely time for many. If you would like to make a donation to support DCM’s work at this challenging time, go to our website – together, we are doing something very special. Te Riria works from home receiving calls from taumai on our 0800 number (left); taumai like Mahir have been able to receive food support, dropped off on their doorstep by DCM kaimahi (right). <!-- --> *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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