I have been very naughty letting so much time go by since my last blog and I am sorry. I don’t know where the time goes. Everyone is busy and we all seem to be doing more and more. It is hard to slow down and notice and enjoy the lives that we are leading. My time has been taken up with the new building and things are progressing very well in this direction. We are in the intensive planning stage and while this is fun and a challenge it is also very scary.
Not all of us are lucky enough to be able to enjoy life and Christmas time can bring many unhappy memories to the forefront of our minds. Christmas can also be a time when people think that they have to get into debt to give gifts to those they love. I was very conscious of this when I was asked to write a Christmas greeting to some of our clients. I came up with the following:
Christmas is a time for giving thanks to those who have been good to us throughout the year. While we traditionally give gifts to each other this is not necessary. What is necessary is that we are kind to one another. At this time of year, as I think of you all, I am full with gratitude at your goodness and admiration for your strength. Life is not always easy and yet you keep on keeping on. You relate to the staff and to each other and your kindness can help others.
We may never know the results of our acts of kindness but our smiles may have encouraged someone who felt that the world was against them. Our friendly hello may have brought light into another’s life. Our concern for others may have enabled them to carry on. At the very least our positive attitude will have helped us and made us stronger.
Many people who come to the Mission find Christmas very difficult. It brings up painful memories and so it is our task to hope out hope for them and try and work with them to help things get better.
On another note I want to say how wonderful the response has been from the public to the Mission. We are getting people to give money, food, time and good wishes. As Christmas day approaches we have a great sponsorship for the tent from Eaton, the Crusaders are helping put up the tent and are also supplying vegetables, the Mayor has contributed a private gift to the celebration and the staff are being their usual wonderful selves, bringing everything together.
Happy Christmas to everyone who reads my page. May you have a peaceful Christmas and a great New Year.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
The other day I was interviewed by three young girls from one of the local primary schools. They were doing a project on people who use the services of the City Mission. One of their questions was “What causes poverty?” This question really stopped me in my tracks because I really don’t know.
The effects of poverty are really clear. We know that if there is not enough money to pay for the basics of life then people will not be well housed, they will be cold and they will not have enough to eat. We know that because of poverty children miss out on being able to avail themselves of education because they are too hungry, too unsupported or ill-equipped to learn. We know that poverty means that good food is often not available and good health is placed at risk. Increasingly we also see that those who are poor have no sense of ownership in their community and often have a feeling of exclusion and low self-worth.
That an individual person lives in poverty is largely about luck. If you are born into a poor family then your chances of being able to break out of poverty are not great. A few people do manage to do it and while this is a credit to them, it perpetuates the dream that anyone can do so. Many people cannot because of the hand fate has dealt them. It seems to me that if you are poor, with a mental illness, no family support or education and little encouragement, then the chance of being able to make a meaningful change in life is as remote as winning lotto.
But what causes poverty? Some individuals appear to have a good start in life and do not use the opportunities they have. They either do not see the opportunities or chose to waste them. Other people do not have the opportunities, education, energy or motivation to do things that may improve their lot in life. I think that poverty is not caused so much by individuals but by systems. Poverty is a worldwide problem and a political one.
It was a great question that the girls asked. No one person has all the answers. What do you think?
Cheers,
Michael
The effects of poverty are really clear. We know that if there is not enough money to pay for the basics of life then people will not be well housed, they will be cold and they will not have enough to eat. We know that because of poverty children miss out on being able to avail themselves of education because they are too hungry, too unsupported or ill-equipped to learn. We know that poverty means that good food is often not available and good health is placed at risk. Increasingly we also see that those who are poor have no sense of ownership in their community and often have a feeling of exclusion and low self-worth.
That an individual person lives in poverty is largely about luck. If you are born into a poor family then your chances of being able to break out of poverty are not great. A few people do manage to do it and while this is a credit to them, it perpetuates the dream that anyone can do so. Many people cannot because of the hand fate has dealt them. It seems to me that if you are poor, with a mental illness, no family support or education and little encouragement, then the chance of being able to make a meaningful change in life is as remote as winning lotto.
But what causes poverty? Some individuals appear to have a good start in life and do not use the opportunities they have. They either do not see the opportunities or chose to waste them. Other people do not have the opportunities, education, energy or motivation to do things that may improve their lot in life. I think that poverty is not caused so much by individuals but by systems. Poverty is a worldwide problem and a political one.
It was a great question that the girls asked. No one person has all the answers. What do you think?
Cheers,
Michael
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
It seems that a very large part of my life is taken up with raising money for the City Mission. Because we want to rebuild most of the Mission we have two fundraising areas to cover. Firstly to raise 10.5 million dollars for capital purposes (rebuilding) and secondly raising in excess of 3.2 million dollars each year for operational (day to day) expenses. That is a lot of money and clearly I can’t do this alone. Many people are involved in helping the Mission. Office people, factory workers and people from many different walks of life give us money and they often have creative ways of raising funds. Some firms subsidise, dollar for dollar, money given to the Mission by their staff while others put on concerts and other functions and donate the money they raise to us. Over and above this the Mission needs to actively collect money and food and we need to work alongside professional fundraisers.
The City Mission is lucky in that it has the services of Compton Fundraising Consultants. They are as committed to the Mission as we are and some of them have worked for us in the past. Over the last few days I have been hearing tales of other agencies paying large sums of money to make money. Michael Laws' column in the Sunday Star Times talks of some agencies being charged exorbitant rates. I am so grateful that we have such a loyal, hard working and - dare I say it - cheap team helping us. They have been working with us for years and charge us a very modest amount, nowhere near that quoted by Michael Laws.
Money that is given to the City Mission is a sacred trust. We are under an obligation to spend it wisely and well for the benefit of our clients. We do need to spend some money on fundraising but we need to spend as much money as possible on helping those who need us.
The City Mission is lucky in that it has the services of Compton Fundraising Consultants. They are as committed to the Mission as we are and some of them have worked for us in the past. Over the last few days I have been hearing tales of other agencies paying large sums of money to make money. Michael Laws' column in the Sunday Star Times talks of some agencies being charged exorbitant rates. I am so grateful that we have such a loyal, hard working and - dare I say it - cheap team helping us. They have been working with us for years and charge us a very modest amount, nowhere near that quoted by Michael Laws.
Money that is given to the City Mission is a sacred trust. We are under an obligation to spend it wisely and well for the benefit of our clients. We do need to spend some money on fundraising but we need to spend as much money as possible on helping those who need us.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Winter
We are very busy here at the Mission and the demand for our services is growing. Thank God we are still being well supported.
Even though the last few days have been fine I am sick of the cold. It seems to be that after a beautiful summer we are now having awful weather. I can’t remember being this cold for a long while. If this is the case for me then just imagine what it is like for people who have no homes or who live in cold, damp and uninsulated houses. For many people on low incomes just keeping warm is a daily struggle. What choices can they make? Will they try and heat the children’s rooms or, as one Christchurch family did, all move into to one room together. Will they spend money on power or will they get into to debt with the power companies and not pay their bill so that they can meet their other needs, food and rent for example? Will they risk their health by not using heating at all? Being poor means that one’s health is also at risk. This in turn leads to absenteeism at school and work. In turn this leads to more poverty and a lack of opportunities in later life.
Despite the economic upheaval that we are going through, people in a country like New Zealand must have basic human rights which include food, shelter and love. Food gives us internal warmth, shelter gives us external warmth and love surrounds us. I think this is not a matter of charity but of justice.
Even though the last few days have been fine I am sick of the cold. It seems to be that after a beautiful summer we are now having awful weather. I can’t remember being this cold for a long while. If this is the case for me then just imagine what it is like for people who have no homes or who live in cold, damp and uninsulated houses. For many people on low incomes just keeping warm is a daily struggle. What choices can they make? Will they try and heat the children’s rooms or, as one Christchurch family did, all move into to one room together. Will they spend money on power or will they get into to debt with the power companies and not pay their bill so that they can meet their other needs, food and rent for example? Will they risk their health by not using heating at all? Being poor means that one’s health is also at risk. This in turn leads to absenteeism at school and work. In turn this leads to more poverty and a lack of opportunities in later life.
Despite the economic upheaval that we are going through, people in a country like New Zealand must have basic human rights which include food, shelter and love. Food gives us internal warmth, shelter gives us external warmth and love surrounds us. I think this is not a matter of charity but of justice.
Monday, June 1, 2009
You may have read in the paper about the City Mission having a plan to undertake a major redevelopment of the Mission. The following are the reasons why we want to do this.
· Condition and age of the buildings
Many of the buildings at the Mission are well over a hundred years old. We had to demolish a building last year as it was no longer structurally safe.
· Expense of keeping buildings up to standard
Most of our buildings are showing signs of needing costly upkeep if they are to remain safe. We do have a couple of heritage buildings that, while not our core business, we will continue to maintain and preserve.
· Cost of heating old buildings
Many of the old buildings are not well insulated and heating costs are a major factor. Our power bill is going up 30% this year after a price freeze of three years.
· Difficulty of providing technical support in old buildings
The old buildings, scattered around are not wired for computers or depend on radio links which cause a great deal of trouble. The server room is subject to temperature variations and while we have a portable air conditioning unit this is a makeshift solution.
· Lack of, or limitations on, facilities
Most of the services are working out of buildings that are too small for the current need. This in turn places limitations of the services that we are able to provide. Over crowing places stress on both staff and clients.
· Safety factors
Staff are working in many buildings in the Mission and often work in isolation. This is not safe given the type of clients who use our services. An example of this is that on some afternoons there is only one staff in the building that holds reception. Staff need to work in closer proximity to each other and in many cases need to be able to see each other. We have alarm systems but these are not adequate. It is not safe to have people, who are often incapacitated sleeping upstairs. This is a risk should fire happen. I have highlighted the safety factor as this is really my main concern.
· Expectations of funding providers
Increasingly we are getting indications from funding groups that they expect better amenities that we are able to provide. While this has not yet affected our funding it is an issue we need to be proactive about if we wish to continue to provide some of our services. An example of this is our Thorpe House Detox house.
· Expectation of client group
As happened in the field of aged care near the end of last century community expectations have grown and what was acceptable is now being questioned and in many cases being rejected. The old charity model carried with it the expectation that the poor would be grateful for whatever help they could get. Now, with an increase in human rights and also with the development of the concept of social justice, what was once acceptable is now longer necessarily good enough.
· Ability to attract and keep staff
As numbers of unemployed decreases it is more and more difficult to get and keep good staff. Part of retaining staff is to provide good working conditions. While the Mission will attract people because they are committed to the work they do they still have an expectation that they will work in good surroundings and have the equipment they need to do the tasks required.
· Lack of storage space for foodbank and furniture shop
This has long been a problem for the Mission and many stopgap measures have been tried. Furniture has to be left out in the elements due to lack of storage and this leads to the perception that we do not need or value the donations we receive. The foodbank is under strain as at times we get large donations of end of line or nearly at the “use by date” food and we need to be able to store such goods.
On a smaller level most of the services do not have adequate storage for supplies and records.
· Inability to expend on or provide new services.
The Mission is constantly looking at its services and at community needs. We have identified so that we consider the Mission could meet and that would have a natural synergy with the rest of the work that the Mission does.
Clients of the Mission deserve to have quality services offered in the best possible way and in the best possible facilities. While there is no wish to be opulent or wasteful there is a strong desire to provide help and assistance in a manner that promotes respect for the individual, encourages good behaviour and treats all with dignity.
The trick for us now is how to keep all our services going while we undertake this major re development. We still must have the resources to keep everything operating while we also need new money for our capital expense.
There is a lot of work ahead of us but I firmly believe that it is worth the effort.
The Mission has a proud history working with the poor and oppressed for over 100 years. It has been part of and has the support and encouragement of Anglican Care for over 60 years and has gained help and donations from the people of Canterbury.
The Mission has the infrastructure, the experience and expertise to promote, provide and develop services for those who need them.
Let me know what you think
Michael
· Condition and age of the buildings
Many of the buildings at the Mission are well over a hundred years old. We had to demolish a building last year as it was no longer structurally safe.
· Expense of keeping buildings up to standard
Most of our buildings are showing signs of needing costly upkeep if they are to remain safe. We do have a couple of heritage buildings that, while not our core business, we will continue to maintain and preserve.
· Cost of heating old buildings
Many of the old buildings are not well insulated and heating costs are a major factor. Our power bill is going up 30% this year after a price freeze of three years.
· Difficulty of providing technical support in old buildings
The old buildings, scattered around are not wired for computers or depend on radio links which cause a great deal of trouble. The server room is subject to temperature variations and while we have a portable air conditioning unit this is a makeshift solution.
· Lack of, or limitations on, facilities
Most of the services are working out of buildings that are too small for the current need. This in turn places limitations of the services that we are able to provide. Over crowing places stress on both staff and clients.
· Safety factors
Staff are working in many buildings in the Mission and often work in isolation. This is not safe given the type of clients who use our services. An example of this is that on some afternoons there is only one staff in the building that holds reception. Staff need to work in closer proximity to each other and in many cases need to be able to see each other. We have alarm systems but these are not adequate. It is not safe to have people, who are often incapacitated sleeping upstairs. This is a risk should fire happen. I have highlighted the safety factor as this is really my main concern.
· Expectations of funding providers
Increasingly we are getting indications from funding groups that they expect better amenities that we are able to provide. While this has not yet affected our funding it is an issue we need to be proactive about if we wish to continue to provide some of our services. An example of this is our Thorpe House Detox house.
· Expectation of client group
As happened in the field of aged care near the end of last century community expectations have grown and what was acceptable is now being questioned and in many cases being rejected. The old charity model carried with it the expectation that the poor would be grateful for whatever help they could get. Now, with an increase in human rights and also with the development of the concept of social justice, what was once acceptable is now longer necessarily good enough.
· Ability to attract and keep staff
As numbers of unemployed decreases it is more and more difficult to get and keep good staff. Part of retaining staff is to provide good working conditions. While the Mission will attract people because they are committed to the work they do they still have an expectation that they will work in good surroundings and have the equipment they need to do the tasks required.
· Lack of storage space for foodbank and furniture shop
This has long been a problem for the Mission and many stopgap measures have been tried. Furniture has to be left out in the elements due to lack of storage and this leads to the perception that we do not need or value the donations we receive. The foodbank is under strain as at times we get large donations of end of line or nearly at the “use by date” food and we need to be able to store such goods.
On a smaller level most of the services do not have adequate storage for supplies and records.
· Inability to expend on or provide new services.
The Mission is constantly looking at its services and at community needs. We have identified so that we consider the Mission could meet and that would have a natural synergy with the rest of the work that the Mission does.
Clients of the Mission deserve to have quality services offered in the best possible way and in the best possible facilities. While there is no wish to be opulent or wasteful there is a strong desire to provide help and assistance in a manner that promotes respect for the individual, encourages good behaviour and treats all with dignity.
The trick for us now is how to keep all our services going while we undertake this major re development. We still must have the resources to keep everything operating while we also need new money for our capital expense.
There is a lot of work ahead of us but I firmly believe that it is worth the effort.
The Mission has a proud history working with the poor and oppressed for over 100 years. It has been part of and has the support and encouragement of Anglican Care for over 60 years and has gained help and donations from the people of Canterbury.
The Mission has the infrastructure, the experience and expertise to promote, provide and develop services for those who need them.
Let me know what you think
Michael
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Update from Michael
There has been a bit of a gap between e-mails and I am sorry for this. My explanation is twofold.
(1) I have just had a new wee granddaughter her name is Imogen and she is a darling. It was wonderful to see her a week after her birth at Easter time. It really gives a new meaning to the idea of new life.
(2) I have had a bad cold and so took a few days in bed.
The above does not excuse however and I will try and be better in the future.
We are worried here about the number of food parcels we are giving out. The number of people waiting for help each morning is growing and we are trying to fill the need. We are currently giving out about 45 parcels each week day. This comes to 225 parcels a week.
Our supplies are getting low but good things happen. The Heavy Metal society at Canterbury University is holding a “gig’ and entry is by way of a can of food donated to the City Mission. In general students are not a rich group of people but it is great that they have the time, energy and goodness to think of other people.
I have been asked to speak briefly at the Human Rights Film Festival on 21 May at the Regent Theatre at 6:30 pm. The theme of the two films is about homelessness and would be well worth seeing.
Well until next time Cheers,
Michael
(1) I have just had a new wee granddaughter her name is Imogen and she is a darling. It was wonderful to see her a week after her birth at Easter time. It really gives a new meaning to the idea of new life.
(2) I have had a bad cold and so took a few days in bed.
The above does not excuse however and I will try and be better in the future.
We are worried here about the number of food parcels we are giving out. The number of people waiting for help each morning is growing and we are trying to fill the need. We are currently giving out about 45 parcels each week day. This comes to 225 parcels a week.
Our supplies are getting low but good things happen. The Heavy Metal society at Canterbury University is holding a “gig’ and entry is by way of a can of food donated to the City Mission. In general students are not a rich group of people but it is great that they have the time, energy and goodness to think of other people.
I have been asked to speak briefly at the Human Rights Film Festival on 21 May at the Regent Theatre at 6:30 pm. The theme of the two films is about homelessness and would be well worth seeing.
Well until next time Cheers,
Michael
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Thoughts about Christmas
I can’t believe how quickly the year is going by. There are only four weeks until Easter and it seems that we are still cleaning up after the Christmas rush. Christmas can be a very stressful time for people and many who are poor can feel very left out of the celebrations. At the Mission we have a big Christmas lunch for those who wish to come. Over 650 did so and told us they had a good time. Some people say that we should just give food to those in need and let them make their own feast while others think that it is condescending of us to provide a lunch at all. I would like to know what you think.
An interesting development with our Alcohol and Drug Service it an increase in the number of young people and their families making referrals. In the past it has often been school counsellors and other authority figures who have made referrals. We don’t know why there has been a change. Have you any ideas?
It would be good to hear from you. Until next week,
Michael
An interesting development with our Alcohol and Drug Service it an increase in the number of young people and their families making referrals. In the past it has often been school counsellors and other authority figures who have made referrals. We don’t know why there has been a change. Have you any ideas?
It would be good to hear from you. Until next week,
Michael
Friday, February 6, 2009
Christchurch City Mission - 2009
Hi,
Doing a Blog is a new project for me and I am very much looking forward to it. It is important that the City Mission and its supporters have good communication with each other and I am also excited to be able to tell you about the great work that we do.
Each week I will update what we have been up to and also have some discussion about issues that concern you and us.
Warm regards,
Michael.
Doing a Blog is a new project for me and I am very much looking forward to it. It is important that the City Mission and its supporters have good communication with each other and I am also excited to be able to tell you about the great work that we do.
Each week I will update what we have been up to and also have some discussion about issues that concern you and us.
Warm regards,
Michael.
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