The ProCare Charitable Foundation has today announced $260,000 of funding has been made to six organisations in Auckland who are striving to reduce health inequity, alleviate the symptoms of poverty and increase community health and well-being.

The last two years have been very challenging for people living in Auckland with many struggling with job loss or reduced income compounded by the rising cost of living during the ongoing pandemic.

ProCare Foundation Chair June McCabe says: “Some people in Auckland are doing it really tough right now. Whilst there is an obvious focus on the COVID-19 pandemic, it is extremely important we are still doing our best to focus on the social determinants of health such as food security and a safe place to live. 

“There are so many amazing community and charitable organisations in Auckland working very hard to care for those who find themselves struggling during this time and we are pleased to have been able to provide some of them with funding to continue this amazing mahi,” she continues.

The Foundation was established by the shareholders of ProCare Health Limited in 2013 with Trustee and Administration services being provided by the Public Trust.

“On behalf the Foundation Board we thank ProCare and the Public Trust for their continued support,” concludes McCabe. 

Glenys Talivai, CEO at Public Trust says: “We are committed to empowering all New Zealanders to build and protect their legacies and we are privileged to work with an organisation such as the ProCare Foundation to help them provide care and protection for vulnerable Kiwis.”  

Since the establishment of the ProCare Charitable Foundation in 2015 it has granted over $1.6 million in funding to benefit the Greater Auckland Region with the aim of reducing health inequity, alleviating the symptoms of poverty and increasing community health and well-being.

Recipients of the 2021 ProCare Charitable Foundation funding were:

Organisation: Auckland City Mission
Project: providing takeaway meal packs for Aucklanders experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity

Auckland City Mission supports thousands of individuals and families in crisis each year by providing unique and specialised health and social services to marginalised Aucklanders. The 2020 ProCare grant contributed to approximately 48,000 food parcels distributed to Aucklanders in need, as well as supporting the Wāhine Dinners. This year the funding will provide takeaway meal packs for people experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity and unable to feed themselves during lockdown for the month of December.

Organisation: I got your back pack
Project: backpacks for Aucklanders who have been through domestic violence issues

This organisation provides backpacks for people who have been through domestic violence issues. Many have often left their homes with absolutely nothing. Packs include basic toiletries, clothing, snacks, comfort items. Children’s packs include reading books, toys, coloring books etc, all in a backpack so they are able to use at school. They also accommodate baby packs. A great deal of the people receiving the back packs are in a poverty situation and in communities where there are higher needs in inequalities/minorities.

Organisation: 2Shine
Project: wages for frontline advocates in the Greater Auckland Region

Funding will be used to enable 2Shine to maintain their current staffing levels, so they can be there to support victims of domestic violence on Auckland’s North Shore and Auckland Central.  All their advocates are qualified professionals. They help victims complete a safety assessment to assist them with what they need. There is an advocate for each client to aide them with the support the person needs now or in the future. Examples include: emergency accommodation, legal services, counselling etc.

Organisation: Fair Food
Project: supporting families and reaching out to local iwi to be able to support food resilience in the North West of Auckland.

Fair Food is a food rescue organisation. They collect surplus food from the local supply chain, being from food growers, distributers and retailers such as supermarkets. Items are hand sorted food by volunteers and allocated to registered charities working within the Region. They partner with over 50 frontline community groups who create and distribute food parcels for families and whanau experiencing food insecurity or food poverty.

Organisation: Orange Sky
Project: launching the second mobile laundry and shower service in Auckland.

Orange Sky provides a free laundry service, warm showers and genuine conversation to people experiencing homelessness. By offering these services and hygiene products, they provide care and support for peoples most basic physical human needs and raise the standards of health for people experiencing homelessness, inequity and disadvantage. They create a safe, positive and supportive environment to do so. By offering genuine connection and conversation, they help to reduce the social isolation felt by people who are often ignored or disconnected, and in turn improving mental health and wellbeing.

Organisation:  Women’s Centre
Project: Promoting health & well-being to Auckland women experiencing distress and seeking assistance with immediate needs.

Funding will support Women’s Centre staff and volunteers provide intensive face-to-face or telephone support to women experiencing distress and seeking assistance with immediate needs. Empathetic listening, support and validation are provided, information is given, and referrals are made to specialised crisis care services. They provide an essential service supporting women who phone in looking for advice, referral and at times short term crisis support. Each year there are up to 3,485 women needing the assistance of the Women’s Centre.

ENDS

For more information, please contact:
Dee Crooks, Director of Brand and Communications at ProCare dee.crooks@procare.co.nz or 022 0310 380.

About the ProCare Foundation
The ProCare Foundation was established by the shareholders of ProCare who gifted over 90% of their shares to the Foundation in 2013. The purpose of the Foundation is to help promote the health and wellbeing of disadvantaged communities, deliver health-related activities that improve a community’s wellbeing, or reduce health inequalities and alleviate poverty and deprivation in the Auckland region. For more information about the Foundation and previous grant recipients, click here or visit www.procare.co.nz