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Downtown Community Ministry / February 2021

The Downtown Community Ministry (DCM) gives down to earth support to individuals and families.

March 2021 | January 2021
    • February Update from DCM
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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; } } Join us as we follow team DCM for a day… Join us as we follow team DCM for a day… Wellington filmmaker Kieran and the team from Ocular recently spent a day with DCM’s Outreach team leader Natalia Cleland, shadowing her and her team for a day, so that they could share this experience with you all. They learned a lot – in particular about how they themselves can best respond to rough sleeping and street begging on our streets, and why they will now stop giving to people who are street begging. They saw how often the public, wanting to be part of the solution, responded with kindness, kai or coffee – yet this made it difficult for Natalia and her team to connect to people, to encourage them to come down to DCM and to set out on a journey to housing and wellbeing. As Natalia notes, “All of their immediate needs may be being met by people walking past – but not their holistic needs, not the reason why they are there, not their mental health and addictions, and disconnection from their families. These needs cannot be met by people walking past; it’s such a short interaction.” As the film shows, when DCM is able to build that connection with people, we offer them holistic support, a pathway forward. “We work with people as they are, and where they are,” says Natalia. “People feel welcome, comfortable with us. We are whānau to them. There are no barriers. And the depth and breadth of what we are able to offer means that we can support people with all of their complexities. Not just their need for a meal, but with their housing needs, their primary, oral and mental health needs, their addictions, their family needs, their connection to their community and to real purpose in their lives.” “We know the people by name. We are asking the people of Wellington to tell us about the people they are concerned for on our streets, and to trust us; we will do good work.” If you are concerned for someone who is rough sleeping or street begging, call the Wellington City Council call centre on 04 499 4444 – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. WCC has been a key partner in DCM’s mahi for many years. They will let a member of DCM’s Outreach team know and we will head out to connect with the person. You too can walk alongside Ocular and experience the life-changing mahi which you all support in so many different ways – we encourage you to watch the film clip on Youtube and hit 'share' to forward it on to everyone you know who has wondered how to respond to rough sleeping and street begging, or has asked how they can be part of the solution to homelessness. We are doing this TOGETHER, Wellington. CHECK OUT THE CLIP NOW! <!-- --> Join us in acknowledging our dentists When Natalia and her team speak with rough sleepers, they look for ways to build connection, and to encourage these people to come on down to DCM. Here we can get to know one another and build a relationship of trust. Often these people are experiencing dental pain, and the offer of a dental appointment can be the key hook which first brings them through our doors, and connects them to the rest of the team at DCM. During the month of March, we will be celebrating the 5th birthday of the DCM Dental Service in a number of different ways. Dentist David Corcoran took the very first session at the DCM Dental Service in March 2016. He has been a regular at DCM, and five years after his first session, he will be taking a session during our birthday week in March 2021. Here David shares his story, and two taumai reflect on the support David has provided them with. David Corcoran What David has to say I’m from Sheffield in England, from a big family of six brothers and sisters. I trained in Birmingham, and later met my wife (who is also a dentist, and has taken sessions at DCM) at a dental practice in London. We came to New Zealand on holiday in 1986 and have been here ever since. Some years ago I knew that Graham Symes was involved in starting a new emergency dental service based at DCM. I wanted to help, so got in touch with Michelle. The building in which both DCM and two dental rooms were situated was purchased by Maurice and Kaye Clark, who worked to address the seismic issues. When this was completed, we were able to pilot a new service in March 2016. I was fortunate to take the very first dental session. The service has really grown from there. David’s wife Charlotte Cocks has also taken dental sessions at DCM. I am always amazed at the tolerance for pain that taumai have. It’s a constant thread in everyone we see. They are sometimes walking around in severe dental pain, but always seem to have a good nature about it. They put up with things because they have to. I find it’s a two-way experience – you learn as much as you give when you join the team at the DCM Dental Service. Taumai who come along desperately need dental treatment. Sometimes they like to talk, and have someone listen. But best of all is when you’re able to offer them a release from pain – and that’s what it’s all about. What taumai have to say about David One woman who David saw at DCM had many issues with her teeth, couldn’t eat properly and told us that she hadn’t been able to sleep due to the pain, and the fact that she was rough sleeping. The barrier for her was that she assumed that any dental work would be far too expensive, and so there was nothing that could be done. David was able to do a lot in a single appointment. Afterwards she told us: “This was by far the best dental experience I have ever had. It totally sorted my teeth. I would totally recommend David to anyone!” One man who has seen David at the DCM Dental Service had been assaulted, which had caused significant damage to his teeth. “The whole service was very professional; my damaged teeth were causing me many problems. I couldn’t eat and my diet was restricted to soup. The dentist took a number of x-rays and removed some teeth. I am now not in any pain, and I can eat again. I am very happy.” <!-- --> Join our vibrant team! Would you – or someone you know – love to work for DCM? We need your help to fill several vacancies we currently have. If you have enjoyed our film clip, and experiencing our mahi in this way, please share it widely to give everyone you know a taste of our work. Encourage them to look at the jobs page on our website, and to get in touch with us if they would like to know more. <!-- --> 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. <!-- --> 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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