The Salvation Army
Media Release

Salvation Army opens 'one-stop-shop' in Dunedin

Wellington, 3 April 2008 - The opening of a new integrated social services centre in Dunedin will make it easier for people to get the help they need.

The Salvation Army officially opens its new "one-stop-shop" at 3pm today (3 April) at 575 Princes Street, Dunedin. The opening ceremony includes speeches by Salvation Army Territorial Commander Commissioner Garth McKenzie and Dunedin Deputy Mayor Cr Syd Brown, along with a ribbon cutting, plaque unveiling and walk around.

The new centre brings together in one location a number of Dunedin Salvation Army services. These include community ministries (including a foodbank, budgeting advice, and counselling), alcohol and drug addiction services, problem gambling services, employment training, a family store, and worship services.
Forty staff are based at the centre, which operates from four adjacent buildings that have been joined internally so that once inside they seem like a single building.

Commissioner McKenzie says that the centre represents a holistic approach to meeting individual needs in a caring environment.

'It will improve the experience of people seeking help and contribute to more positive outcomes.

'People often come to us when they are experiencing a crisis and looking for urgent help such as a food parcel, counselling, or advocacy support.

'There are usually other problems in the background, so by having multiple services in one location, it is easier for our clients to access the services they need.

'For example, people coming to our family store looking for help can now be referred to appropriate staff in the same building. People doing employment training courses at the centre can get retail experience at the on-site family store.'

Commissioner McKenzie says that the placement of multiple services at the centre will also contribute to better communication and closer working relationships for staff.

The Salvation Army in Manukau has been successfully running a similar seamless integration of services model since 2006.

ENDS

© Scoop Media