A hot topic at our recent CFNZ conference was as funders, how do we ‘leave no-one behind,’ ensuring we’re supporting our most vulnerable. Well, Oasis Community Shelter are doing exactly that.
Lizz Crawford, Oasis manager, says in pre-covid days they reached out, offering accommodation to men that other agencies hadn’t or couldn’t pick up. Whilst officially funded for only ten men, they've always provided support for many, many more.
“The guys here are expected to stick to our kaupapa,” says Lizz. “It's their choice if they stay, we just offer them support through meals, facilities, navigation services and our faith-based services.”
Lizz says after the men have had time to get their lives back on track, some of their best outcomes are when residents reconnect with their whanau, find a job, or their own place to live.
Although Oasis receives minimal funding, they take in as many men as they can, with almost 30 staying last week. However, for those who decide the shelter isn’t quite the right fit, Oasis takes a daily cooked breakfast out to those on the streets.
As local funding manager for The Tindall Foundation, Sunrise provided Oasis with a $15,802 grant for an essential kitchen upgrade where plans to double the size of their current kitchen and add a much-needed kai storeroom have been drawn up.
A further $7430 grant was awarded to help with water filter expenses and a grease trap that needs to be rectified before renovations can begin and Gisborne District Council will provide consent.
Oasis has exciting dreams for the future to build ten transitional houses on-site, so those in the shelter can move into homes of their own. Thank you, Oasis, for the wonderful service you provide in our community.
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