October update

Pillars

She couldn’t stand to see the pain and loneliness in his eyes.

On any day in New Zealand there could help. She couldn’t stand are an estimated 23,000 children  living with a parent in prison. Harry is one of those children. He is only six years old. He lives in the care of his Nana, along with his little sister who has a disability.

Harry’s early years were tough.  He faced many challenges and  witnessed significant hardship, so, along with his sister, was  placed into the care of his Nana.

The shame, stigma and loss of his  family and friends was significant, and daily life was challenging.

In desperation, Harry’s Nana  reached out to Pillars to see if they could help. She couldn't stand to see the pain and loneliness in her grandsons’ eyes.

Research tells us that without the right support, children of prisoners are  almost 10 times more likely to end up in prison.

Pillars  to support the children of prisoners to have a positive, crime-free future. to see the pain and loneliness  in her grandsons’ eyes.

Pillars assigned a family wraparound  staff member and a mentor co ordinator to support Nana and her  two grandchildren. They visited  Harry’s school and spoke to his  teachers and he was matched with  a volunteer mentor called Simon. He communicates with Harry at  least once a week and they go on  activities together every fortnight.

On the first day Simon and Harry met, Harry was so excited. He came running out to greet Simon and bombarded him with questions:

“What are you afraid of? What’s your favourite animal? Where do you live? What food do you hate?” Harry couldn’t wait to get to know Simon better, and to start getting out and having fun in the community with his new ‘askable adult’. Before being matched with a mentor, Harry had never been out of South Auckland. He was so shy and struggled to have a conversation.

In the short time that he has been matched with Simon, his confidence is already beginning to soar.

Simon told us that Harry had never posted a letter and so they both went to the Post Office and bought a card, addressed it and sent it to each other. Whoever gets their card delivered first is the winner. Harry was hesitant at first because he could not spell but Simon talked him through it.

Harry and Simon are setting goals around new activities around Auckland – to expand their knowledge of the city. They are off to a flying start.

Children of prisoners are among some of the most vulnerable children in our community. They are in a situation they didn’t’ choose, yet they face a sentence of their own.

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Breaking the cycle

We received this heart-filled thank you from a trust in South Auckland that is supported through your generous donations. See how your support is having a positive impact on at-risk youth and helping them to stay out of gangs.

“Our team has had some big breakthroughs with some of the students we work with. In recent years, we have had intermediate- aged students (aged 11 – 12 years) being prospected and initiated into gangs.

We have a youth worker who works with a local school to provide mentoring and life skills to referred students. Many of the students he worked with this year were involved in gangs and gang activity.

Nearing the end of the year, three of the young boys decided to ‘give up their colours’. This is a hard and challenging journey for anyone but especially for young 11- and 12-year- old boys.

Nearing the end of the year, three of the young boys decided to ‘give up their colours’. This is a hard and challenging journey for anyone but especially for young 11- and 12-year- old boys.

Our youth worker was able to guide them through the process, give them positive support, and connect them to the wider community who will continue to help them. In these same boys there was a huge turn around in their behaviour at school, home and in their general attitude.

t’s moments like these that give us the courage to continue to do what we do. We are so grateful for having your support which allows us to do that. Thanks so much Catholic Caring Foundation for walking with us and our young people.”

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I’m leaving a bequest because it is something really dear to me

I wanted to give something back to the Church. I’ve been brought up as a Catholic all my life and I thought if there’s any money left who would I give it to?

I wanted to give it to a cause that I could trust. I wanted an organisation to benefit from my money and that organisation had to be one that I had faith in, and trusted, and because of that I have given my bequest. It is an organisation that I believe in and want to help.

Our thanks to Brian Henaghan who has kindly shared why he has left a bequest in his Will to the Caring Foundation. If this is something you would like to consider, then please call Ann Marie Parker, Manager, in complete confidence on (09) 360 3012.

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A message from Bishop Pat

Faith Action Impact

As Catholics, we believe in the dignity of all people, irrespective of the circumstances they find themselves in. The agencies we support through the Foundation’s grants recognize the dignity of every person and truly walk with families and individuals who are in times of need or crisis. They wrap support around them, often in complex situations, and they strive to ensure that they can reach a place where they can continue on their own.

This can and does have a transformative effect on children, families and communities.

Spring gives us a new sense of hope – for ourselves and for others. In this season of new life, let us look to ways that we as a faith community, can give a new start, new hope, and new opportunities to our brothers and sisters in need.

“Truly, I tell you whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did to me.” (Matthew 25:40)

I invite you to see how the Foundation does this on your behalf through the grants that are given to agencies throughout our Auckland diocese.

Individuals, families, children, young adults and the elderly are afforded wrap-around support, programmes and opportunities that give them a chance at a better life.

Please consider supporting my Foundation. Your support will directly help reach children, families, and individuals who need our compassion and care.

With every blessing,

Bishop Pat

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Eradicating modern slavery:John McCarthy QC, GCPO, KCSG

Please save the date for the 2nd of December for the inaugural Bishop’s Lunch with esteemed speaker John McCarthy, speaking on the eradication of modern slavery and human trafficking. McCarthy is the former Australia Ambassador to the Holy See, former Pro-chancellor of the University of Sydney and the current Chair of the Anti-slavery Task Force, Australia. Please join us on the UN Day for the Abolition of slavery for compelling korero on this key issue.

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Why I give to the Foundation

Our thanks to Foundation supporter Martha Dawson who shares with us why she gives to the Foundation.

“The Catholic Caring Foundation supports a variety of people in the community with different needs – not just one sector. It is a privilege to give and to support the Foundation through the Church that I am part of and love.”

Martha Dawson