United Way COVID-19 Community Needs 

Research, released this month by United Way New Zealand, shows Kiwi charities are under increasing pressure, managing a surge in demand with fewer resources. Donations are needed to provide the services and resources needed. #Unite20

Topline Findings from United Way Research (with 390 charities participants)

• 98% of charities who participated in the research reported they have been affected by Covid-19 
• Additional funding remains the primary way to help frontline charities. (78% of Charities e surveyed reported this need).
• 49% of the charities surveyed need volunteer assistance.
• 48% report seeing an increase in demand due to Covid-19 and foresee this will be the case for the next 12 months

Anecdotal themes emerging

• Food banks and mental health charities in particular have experienced increased demand, as have those supporting youth and the elderly (One foodbank in Auckland reported going from 35-45 parcels per day usually to 794 in one day during April and Age Concern Whanganui received over 1200 phone calls in three days - mostly regarding online supermarket shopping).
• Many charities fear that the full effects of Covid-19 are yet to hit, they are preparing for increased demand in levels 1 as centres re-open and services can resume.
• Some are commenting that if additional funding isn't found they may have to reduce services.                
• Many are concerned that traditional funding mechanisms such as stores, gaming proceeds and funding rounds have been removed or disrupted due to Covid-19
• Many have had to adapt during lock down to supporting those in need via telephone calls as face-to-face support was not possible. Most reported staff and volunteers adapted well.
• Many charities comment increased anxiety levels among the community.
• Additional areas of inquiry included; counselling support, online shopping support, applying for benefits, wage subsidy inquires, employment and employment law queries and requests for food parcels.

If you can provide additional financial resources for frontline charities please click here

Mastercard donation provides post-trauma support to those affected by the Christchurch Mosque shootings

While over a year has passed, the people impacted by the Christchurch Massacre continue to feel its affects. Thanks to a generous grant received this month from Mastercard, frontline charities supporting those affected have some extra help.

This week United Way NZ distributed $65,000 to Christchurch Resettlement Services, 180 Degrees Trust, Waitaki Multi-Cultural Council, 298 Youth Health Centre, Youthline Central South Island, Aoraki Migrant Centre, PIPS Pregnancy Infancy Parenting Support and Compassion Trust to continue the important work they do helping those affected by the tragedy to continue to heal. Thank you Mastercard for remembering those affected.

"It made my week to receive and distribute a grant of $65,000 from Mastercard to eight frontline charities to help them continue their critical work supporting those impacted by last year’s Christchurch Mosque Massacre. Thank you Mastercard for recognising that the process of supporting individuals and communities to heal continues long after the event itself"
Heather Rankin, United Way NZ Grants Manager

Birthright Wanganui are supporting families  led by one person, who are under stress due to the COVID-19 lockdown. Birthright Wanganui has been providing support to families in Whanganui for over 60 years and they need our help during COVID-19. 

Please click here to DONATE.

Isolation is very much a reality for sole parent/caregiver families, having limited support from other family members and friends. Staff keep in regular contact to support families, and are on call during the lockdown, adjusting their support to meet individual family needs. This support will continue over the coming days, weeks and months ahead.

Families have shared their feelings of what they are going through during the lockdown, including not being able to have any respite, as having to be available for their children 24/7. This can take a toll on mental health and well-being, as they are the only adult in the household. Basic needs such as food, heating, clothing and bedding have also increased during this time, making stress levels even higher.

The money raised will go towards ensuring that sole parents/cargivers and their children are supported and getting what they need. It will support the provision of our core services to continue during the COVID-19 pandemic and in the future.

Birthright supports families to be nurtured, inspired and resilient, and is the only organisation in Aotearoa New Zealand that specialises in working with families led by one person. This support is vital now more than ever before with the COVID-19 Global Pandemic. Sole parent families can be a mother, father, grandmother, other whanau member or adult. They are one of the most vulnerable groups in our society, and this is even more apparent during these unprecedented times.

All DONATIONS are tax deductable and 100% (less credit card fee) goes to Birthright Wanganui so they can provide family services during the COVID-19 outbreak.

How will COVID-19 affect our community services?

Charities are the backbone of our communities when crisis strikes. The nonprofit industry alone employs over 100,000 workers, representing over 4.4 percent of New Zealand's GDP and manages over $53 billion assets.

Results from the United Way NZ survey of 200+ nationwide frontline charities, show that 95% of charities have been directly affected by the COVID-19 outbreak.

Traditional funding streams for charities have been drastically affected. This is where we need your help. Donations can be made to Charities to support their frontline services here.

We are all in this together.

Kia kaha. 

Teresa Moore
C.E.O of United Way (NZ)

The Shelter housed 99 individuals, 85 men and 14 women, for a total of 260 bednights, in the months July - October 2018.

Many clients have no supportive network and so are vulnerable when they find themselves homeless.

The Dunedin Night Shelter provides a safe place to turn.  United Way NZ are proud to support the Shelter and the important work they are doing for people in our Otago community.

United Way would like to congratulate the following charities for receiving our 2018 Grant Awards.  We would like to thank Mayor Grant Smith for being part of the celebration and all of the charities listed below for the passionate and heart felt work you do in our communities.