Sleeping under the stars this evening
10 October 2014We have a beautiful day to be sleeping out for our 14 hours homeless event. God is good!
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Team Two for Salvation Army Men's Hostel Staff PN
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Update for 07/10/2014
7 October 2014Phil Twigge has had to withdraw from the team due to unforeseen circumstances, but wait for it..... Katherine Eichler has accepted the challenge to join us in the car park for the night to take Phil's place!! Thanks for jumping in at short notice.
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SALVATION ARMY MEDIA RELEASE: Community rallies for homeless in Palmerston North
4 October 20141 October 2014 Palmerston North MP lain Lees-Galloway and City Councillor Aleisha Rutherford will be sleeping rough with other Palmerston North residents later this month. The pair are part of a team from the Palmerston North City Council who will be sleeping on cardboard and couches or in cars on October 10, for The Salvation Army's inaugural 14 Hours Homeless event for World Homeless Day. Kevin Richards, Community Ministries Manager for The Salvation Army Palmerston North Corps (church), says 10 teams of five from the Manawatu Police, Linton Military Camp, RNZAF Base Ohakea, Massey University, The Salvation Army and the City Council will be taking part in the event. The teams have been challenged to raise $5000 each and the money will go to support The Salvation Army Palmerston North Menfs Hostel, Mr Richards says. The hostel is a valuable resource for Palmerston North and funding is getting harder to find so the support of such a wide range of people in the community is a boost, he says. For more than 15 years the hostel has helped hundreds of men struggling with issues including financial insecurity, gambling addiction, mental health, drug and alcohol dependence, and justice issues, make positive life changes and reintegrate into society. Mr Richards says homelessness in Palmerston North is a growing concern, with families finding it increasingly tough and reaching out to The Salvation Army for help. gWe're finding more and more families with two parents working who can't pay the cost of living. They're making sensible decisions with finances, but don't have enough income to pay for increased rent and the increasing cost of living."" Statistics New Zealand estimates that in 2006 about one in 120 New Zealanders were homeless or housing deprived. However, Salvation Army Social Policy and Parliamentary Unit policy analyst Alan Johnson says the numbers seeking help from The Salvation Army had grown significantly since then. Being homeless is far more than just sleeping rough, Mr Johnson says. Statistics New Zealand estimates 20 per cent of homeless Kiwis sleep on the streets. Homeless people include people sleeping in cars, living in garages or whole families living in one room. Many live with extended family or in camping grounds, caravan parks, boarding houses or shelters. Anyone wanting to support a Palmerston North team can donate by visiting http://www.qivealittle.co.nz/event/14HoursHomelessPalmerstonNorth. Donations can also be made at The Salvation Army Palmerston North Corps, 431 Church Street. 14 Hours homeless events will also be held in Auckland, Wellington and lnvercargill. - Issued on the authority of Lieutenant Colonel Ian Hutson, Divisional Commander, Central Division, The Salvation Army New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga Territory Contact: Mr Kevin Richards (06) 358 7455 or Shane Chisholm (04) 382 0744 027 449 4540
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A Brief Insight into The Salvation Army Menfs Hostel
29 September 2014Typical issues affecting Menfs Hostel Client: 65% have been involved in the Criminal Justice System 65% have alcohol and/or other drug addictions 53% have poor mental health 24% live with a disability 6% are affected by head injury A recent survey of Menfs Hostel clients involved in the Criminal Justice System: 84% had been successfully re-housed 36% were actively engaged in some form or education or training 18% had gained employment
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Examples of success stories at the Men's Hostel (not real names):
29 September 2014? John lost his accommodation and job due to a gambling addiction. Homeless and not eating, with debt of $30,000 Johnfs relationships with significant others distorted - and John, suicidal, spent time in a Psychiatric Ward. John was assisted to get on to appropriate medications and a sickness benefit. He was referred to one on one and group specialist gambling counselling. John had remarkable mood swings, acidic anger and manipulation. Staff continued to show Christian compassion to John in the face of sustained verbal abuse and acting out. He is now training as a teacher, has been gambling free for 12 months, and attends a local church. John returned to the hostel to share his personal story with current hostel clients. The impact of his changed life has been stunning. ? Ralph came to us with what can only be described as a chronic alcohol problem and head injury - due to assaults while drinking. Ralph had many interactions with Police was in and out of prison due to alcohol abuse. Through medication management and careful planning, Ralph has not touched alcohol for many months. He now participates in a community progamme on a daily basis, and is enjoying life. ? Mark presented to us with both drug (cannabis) and alcohol dependencies. Through referral to an outside agency that specialises in intensive residential treatment, he has been able to remain free from the bondages of both of these addictions. He now attends a daily course and is working on restoring broken relationships caused by his addictions.
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Update for 23/09/2014
23 September 2014What: This year, on World Homeless Day, The Salvation Army will be running team-based homeless events around the country to raise funds and increase awareness about the new reality of homelessness in New Zealand. You can help make a difference by forming a team of five to find sponsors and sleepout in cars, on couches, or on cardboard for 14 hours alongside other participants in a secure outdoor environment. Wefre encouraging each team to set a fundraising target of $5,000 through personal and business donations. When and where: 14 Hours Homeless events will be run in Auckland, Palmerston North, Wellington and Invercargill on World Homeless Day 2014. On Friday 10th October from 6pm until 8am the following morning, participants will come together in the sleepout location to hear from the homeless and those helping them before sleeping out for the night. Enter details of your update here
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Update for 16/09/2014
16 September 2014Our team members are Philip Eichler, Philip Twigge, Jarrod Galbraith, Anne Tekawa and Alison Brosnan
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