Summer update

Finally free to forge a new life

“When I finished [Te Whakaora’s] programme and looked back at my life, I saw ugly Annie*. I’m not that ugly person anymore and when people see me [now] they don’t even recognize me!”

When Annie first arrived at Te Whakaora her face was well hidden under a hoodie. She didn’t lift her head and barely spoke a word. Referred by her doctor, she reluctantly said, “I’ve tried working with other agencies and it hasn’t helped. You probably won’t be any different.”

Cliffy Reddy, the Co-Founder of Te Whakaora, began talking about rejection and something changed in Annie’s demeanour. Tears rolled down her face and she opened up – just a little – about some of the deep emotional pain she was carrying.

Annie left Cliffy’s office with a flicker of hope in her eyes and a commitment to attend the Emotional Healing and Family Restoration course the following week. But after completing the course with her partner Rangi, she disappeared. The staff were unable to reach her and were concerned for her and Rangi‘s well-being without the usual follow-up support.

Six weeks later, the team were amazed when Annie burst into Cliffy’s office with a radiant smile, arms waving in animation. “I’m all good now, I’m healed! I don’t need help anymore!” she said. Annie explained that she and her partner had moved to another city to get away from the negative influences of their South Auckland neighbourhood. She’d hopped on a bus and travelled three hours just to come and see Cliffy and his staff and to say thank you.

Annie explained that immediately following the course she began restoring broken relationships with her and her partner’s whanau. After years of living on the benefit, Rangi now had a job and they had settled into a new home. The team all laughed when Annie said they were now the quietest family on the street. “Yeah,” she said. “When we hear the neighbours shouting and arguing and carrying on I say to Rangi, that used to be us babe!”

She told us, “When I finished the programme and looked back at my life, I saw ugly Annie. I’m not that ugly person anymore and when people see me [now] they don’t even recognize me!”

Annie’s next priority is restoring the relationship with her teenage daughter and to walk alongside her so she doesn’t have to go through the same trials and suffering that Annie did. And following that, she wants to find full-time employment. Annie’s transformation has encouraged other members of her whanau to seek Te Whakaora’s help. Annie said, “I was over at my aunties and I was like yous need to go see these people [at Te Whakaora]. If they can do if for me, they can do it for yous...like, look at me! Did you guys ever think I could be the way I am now?”

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From Bishop Pat

Welcome to a new year filled with faith, hope and charity and blessings to you and your loved ones.

As we busy our minds with planning and goal setting for 2018, may we also take the time to pause and reflect on opening our hearts to those in our community who need our care and support? For many, beset by tragedy, poverty, addictions or despair, the new year is not a time of hope or reflection. It is a time of grind, with the daily pressures of day-to-day living taking priority for families and individuals.

I am thankful that the organisations my Foundation works with, can offer hope and help to families and individuals who find it difficult to break free from hopelessness. I am grateful, also, for your support so that we can continue this partnership to ensure that families and individuals can seek immediate assistance and valuable skills to manage their future.

Despite the heartbreak that is often encountered by staff in our partner organisations as they listen to and work with vulnerable families, they tell us that they are still passionate about transforming lives and offering hope. Thank you for your prayers and support of my Foundation which allows this hope to burn bright.

As I reflect on the Foundation’s caring year ahead, can I also give thanks to those loyal supporters who have gone before us, because they have ensured that their gift of hope, faith and charity will live on so that families and communities today who suffer from poverty, and hardship will receive help and care and the skills to transform their lives.

It is on the shoulders of their legacy and the support of you, my dear brothers and sisters, that the Foundation can still be a demonstration of our faith in action within our community.

“For it is in giving that we receive.” (Saint Francis of Assisi)

With every blessing,

Bishop Patrick Dunn

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St Peter’s College encourages generosity

The students and staff of St Peter’s College, Auckland donated $12,000 to the Catholic Caring Foundation through their daily yard collections and other fundraising initiatives.

Bishop Pat said,

“St Peters College demonstrates that the daily act of caring for others is integral to a young man growing up in the Catholic Faith in the 21st century. By encouraging this selfless giving, young men are asked to always think of others, especially those most in need. My Foundation is humbled that we have been chosen to be the recipient of the fundraising efforts by St Peter’s students and staff. Their generous contribution to the Foundation will have a direct impact on our brothers and sisters in need throughout our community.”