Crisis Services

Providing assistance for one-off emergency or long-term problems.

Whether it's a specific issue that has led people to the Mission, the continuing poverty cycle, or a culmination of many problems, the Mission's social workers are there to help guide people through the steps to change.

On arrival, one of the social workers will take time to talk through a person's situation in depth to really understand what is going on. The Mission does not just hand out a food parcel and then send people on their way. Staff provide advice, give immediate assistance, make referrals to other services and develop a plan to help people make improvements in their lives.

The focus is two-fold: what are the person's immediate needs and what can be changed to make improvements in the future?

Emergency assistance is available at 140 Hobson St, Auckland Central, phone: 09 303 9200; or 11 Albion St, Otahuhu, phone: 09 276 5022. Both offices are open from 9am - 5pm Monday to Friday.

Integrated Service: 

The initial assessment with a social worker is one step in an integrated approach within the Mission's services. The Homeless team, the Calder Centre staff and Detox staff work alongside social workers to ensure the best outcome for clients. examples include: social workers assess a clients financial situation to recommend a suitable fee for the client to pay when visiting the GP at the Calder Centre; referrals to Detox are preceded by a drug and alcohol assessment carried out by a social worker.

Advocacy:

One of the key functions of the team is to provide a voice, to advocate when the client is unable - whether it's about accessing benefits, dealing with debt collection agencies or navigating through bureaucratic paperwork. When many clients are seen to be affected by an issue, such as high interest rates or lack of income, the Mission will advocate on their behalf. 

Working in Partnership:

The Mission has a social worker on hand at Work and Income's Queen St office three mornings per week to help guide people through the process and eliminate stress for some of those who may be more vulnerable. The Mission works in partnership with Middlemore Hospital, Glen Innes Family Centre and other agencies to support families in crisis.

Food Parcels:

The Mission's emergency food parcels are designed to feed a family or individual for 4 days to get them through an immediate crisis. Food parcels are nutritionally balanced and are made up of simple items that families can make into quick meals, and also contain essential toiletry items.

Each year the Mission gives out over 5,000 food parcels. Much of that given out comes from donations, but staple items that aren't donated must be purchased. As a result, Auckland City Mission spends approximately $80,000 annually on food for emergency food parcels.