Take Five And Help The Homeless

The plight of homeless families struggling against domestic violence, burgeoning debt, unemployment and illness will be highlighted in September by De Paul House, the only facility to provide emergency shelter and help for families on the North Shore.

De Paul House is asking all North Shore residents and businesses to hold a 'Take Five' Morning Tea some time during the week of September 23 to help families that have slipped into crisis.

Catherine McClintock of De Paul House said: "North Shore City is not somewhere people automatically associate with debt, family crisis and homelessness, but sadly more and more families are affected.

"Their plight is very hard to witness - like the young mum, five months pregnant and living in a car with her young son because she had to flee from a violent partner. Or the family living in a garage because they had no money.

"Families become homeless for all sorts of reasons and De Paul House is there to help them back on the road to a sustainable future. Our work begins with providing emergency shelter and continues with each family for many years, with an active outreach programme that helps them build a secure and independent home for their families.

"We are asking everyone on the North Shore to hold a 'Take Five' Morning Tea between September 23 and 29 so we can make sure our work can continue. Taking five minutes to think about these families and doing something simple to help will make a real difference.

The 'Take Five' campaign has five simple steps that anyone can take to help change lives.

* Tell someone about De Paul House and the work it does - they may be able to help or they might know someone who needs the kind of help De Paul House provides

* Sort out five things from your house that could help a family in need - they could include good quality clothes, books, tinned food or furniture

* Donate $5, $15 or $50

* Ask your employer to make De Paul House your designated charity for any fundraising you do at work

* Hold a Take Five Morning Tea - and do all of the above!

A Take Five Morning Tea information pack can be downloaded from www.depaulhouse.org.nz along with the stories of hope and help that surround the organisation.

De Paul House is based in Northcote and as well as providing emergency shelter operates an active outreach programme, playgroup and other services including food parcels and bread deliveries.

ENDS

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