Mahi
Together we can end homelessness.
When someone we support passes away, our care continues. Sia, our Kaiarataki Ringa Rehe (Practice Leader), emphasises, “DCM stops at nothing to provide love and compassion.” We arrange funerals if needed and offer comfort to friends and family. Our goal is to ensure that those who may have felt unseen in life are given dignity in death.
Winter is unforgiving when you are at risk of or experiencing homelessness, presenting challenges to this vulnerable population that other groups in society simply don’t have to deal with.
We know that there are more risks for people who are rough sleeping in winter. As the weather turns colder, we see an increase in people at our office on Luke’s Lane looking.
Te Kī a Alasdair, new community housing built by Maurice and Kaye Clark in memory of their son Alasdair. Comprised of 75 one bedroom apartments catering to those with disabilities or complex needs. 20 DCM whānau are housed at Te Kī a Alasdair. Maurice and Clark’s story is inspirational, as are the stories of two of our whānau who are living at Te Kī a Alasdair.
Te Pae Manaaki Tangata, which means ‘The place where people experience manaakitanga’, ensures whānau are connected to the supports they need. This service encompasses all of DCM’s frontline and hauora services, and is a place where everybody is treated with kindness, dignity and respect.
As we did in 2020, DCM had a polling booth for the General Election at 2 Lukes Lane, empowering the marginalised to have their voices and votes heard.
DCM’s Toro Atu (Outreach) Team were delighted when Wellington Mayor, Tory Whanau, accompanied them as they checked on people sleeping rough on the city’s streets.
70 whānau filled out the 2023 Census at DCM with the support of Statistics NZ to ensure their voices were heard, because Tatau tātou – all of us count!
With 1 in 11 houses in Aotearoa built under the current government, could we be seeing the end of the housing crisis?
Dev is one of our amazing landlords providing our whānau with whares they can call their own. Dev has had an inspiring journey moving from Fiji and settling in Aotearoa, and here we share his story.
Te Awatea – Doing whatever it takes
Te Awatea (meaning, the awakening of the dawn) is a service that is aimed to reduce harm associated with substance abuse. The service has a particular focus on those who are experiencing homelessness or are at risk of homelessness.
Pātaka Kai is a door to wider support. Hunger may be an immediate need that we can immediately address, but it also serves as a conversation starter, allowing staff to understand the deeper challenges that our whānau face.
The Work Doesn't Stop at a Roof
Finding a house is a huge part of our whānau’s journey – but that is often just the beginning. At DCM, our Noho Pai (Sustaining Tenancies) team works hard everyday to ensure that our most vulnerable whānau not only remain housed but also find stability, belonging, and hope for their future.
“Being on the benefit, I couldn’t ever get proper dental care. I could only afford to get teeth extracted when there were issues - no fillings or anything like that. Over the years, everything just deteriorated, and I ended up with hardly any teeth left. I felt really self-conscious about it. People judge you for not having teeth, and it affected how I saw myself, especially when I was talking to people online.”
“When I found out DCM could help me get dentures, I was over the moon. Having the dentures gave me my pretty smile back! I can eat and talk again. My grandad always told me, “When you leave the house, make sure you look presentable,” and now, I feel like I do.”