19th of May, 2020
As Aotearoa moves from a state of lockdown, to something closer to normality, we’d like to say a massive thank you to everyone who has supported us over the last eight weeks. Thanks to you, we not only achieved but exceeded our emergency appeal goal!
In particular, we would like to say thank you to Mods Hair, The Vodafone Foundation, Perpetual Guardian, The Strathlachlan Fund, Tax Management New Zealand, The Todd Foundation, Good Shepherd NZ and The Funding Network. The collective kindness and generosity of these people and hundreds of others meant we could continue to support adults, tamariki and whanau through this difficult time.
Throughout lockdown, we remained available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, seeing a 34% increase in family violence referrals. We talked through the night to men who were at risk of causing family harm; we met with people in hospital, or over the fence; we helped people leave their homes for a place of safety; we sourced food and legal support. We listened and we advocated.
Now, as we move back into our offices, and increase our face to face work with clients again, we are learning to work within ‘a new normal’. The battle against Covid-19 in Aotearoa is not yet over, nor are its effects, especially on the families we support. But the love we feel from our supporters is humbling, heartwarming and as vital to us, as our mahi is to the community. Thank you.