Being a Single Parent at Christmas time: Hardship and Aroha
Being a Single Parent at Christmas time: Hardship and
Aroha
Single Parent Services Waikato (SPSW) work with
families who have experienced most of the violence that life
can throw at people. Poverty at this time is just another
burden they carry so this December the service will provide
unwrapped gifts and food to families experiencing
hardship.
SPSW Manager, Rebecca Fraser states that “It’s important that we remind people that population level data tells us that 60% of the families living below the poverty line in Aotearoa New Zealand are families led by one parent.”
The decision to distribute unwrapped gifts to parents was made for the first time last year and will be continued this year. Enabling parents to give the gifts, rather than the agency, has been a good one. It has empowered parents with some choices and gifted them with the joy and excitement that embraces everyone when children receive gifts.
“Not being able to afford presents at Christmas time is heartbreaking for parents – and there is real joy in being able to give so that children can receive a gift from mum or dad, and knowing that they feel loved and secure within their family because of this”, said Kathleen Miller, Assistant Manager at SPSW.
Senior Counsellor, Toia Chase said states that “Single parents sometimes experience isolation often caused by insecure housing and the need to find more affordable rental accommodation which makes engagement in a local community difficult. Research shows that parenting alone takes a significant emotional toll on parents, so we aim to alleviate that by providing emotional and material support”.
Workplaces and individuals are invited to donate unwrapped gifts or non-perishable food before the end of November. Cash donations can be made and will be used to purchase gifts for children and teenagers in single parent families.
ends