Mission Real Life Story

Seven of us were living in a cramped two bedroom flat, me and my own three young children, plus my brother and two sisters because our mum wasn’t well enough to look after them any more.  The bills soon mounted up, food was scarce and extra money was needed for bus fares to school.  Things were looking grim.  I went to The Mission, and was introduced to the Mission for Independence social worker at the initial interview.  Within a couple of days, she had given us some food basics to help re-stock our pantry to see us through an especially rough time, and also given us much needed bedding and warm blankets.  The Mission also told me about The Mayoral Relief Fund, which is money they manage for the Wellington City Council in extreme cases of hardship.  I applied for some money to help pay some power and rent bills I had missed, purely to feed my family.  The Mission also gave me some vouchers for new clothes, something the kids had rarely seen.  They were blown away.  This kindness made us understand what respect felt like.  The Mission could see that we needed support to stay together as a family, and for that I will always be thankful.

For more information on this programme, please contact:

Jill Hilston
Manager, Mission for Independence 

Phone: 04-380 1827
jill@wgtncitymission.org.nz