Papakura East Presbyterian Church has been a key player in a Police project to bring renewal to its neighbourhood.
Counties Manukau South Police District launched the Awhi Wraparound Project in May 2008 to target 350 households in a single geographical area that are estimated to be the source of 90 percent of Papakura’s crime and social issues.
The project’s aim was to bring social agencies together in a co-ordinated way to renew the community.
When the Rev Geoff New saw a notice about the project in the local newspaper, he decided to attend a public meeting being held at the local marae, and “after a few false starts”, Papakura East become heavily involved in the project.
“The area is literally on our doorstep: if you stood at the front door of the church, you could throw a stone into the area.”
The church started its involvement by donating 17 Christmas hampers to families identified as particularly in need by the principal of Edmond Hillary School. Presbyterian Support Northern also contributed to the hampers, which had an average value of $400.
The church then decided to sponsor a touch rugby team of seven-year-olds, paying for their fees, uniforms and boots, but also turning up to every game as a fan base.
Members of the congregation looked for other ways to get involved, and became part of a programme serving breakfast at Edmond Hillary School, taking responsibility for two mornings a week.
Papakura East’s youth group competed in the local touch tournament, where they were initially greeted with suspicion, but after being recognised as breakfast servers, the attitude totally changed, Geoff says. “They were treated with real affection.”
Three of retired teachers from the congregation have helped with the school’s literacy programme for at-risk children. “They’re just changing people’s lives in there,” Geoff says, and unlike many previous volunteers who only last a couple of weeks or a term, they have stayed.
The school identified a bright student who wanted to be a lawyer “to fight for people’s rights”. A lawyer in the congregation arranged for the girl and her mother to have a day at court, meeting a Pacific Island woman judge and a lawyer involved in human rights.
The church was heavily involved in a “Children’s Day” event held at the school in February. Despite abysmal weather, 100 people from the congregation turned up to support the event. The church’s Cook Island group started the day with singing and dancing, and congregation members provided baking and ran a BBQ.
When one family in the project area had to fly back to their home Pacific island because of a family tragedy, on their return their house had been stripped of everything, including fittings, furniture and even firewood.
When Geoff explained the situation to the congregation, people donated furniture, carpet and vouchers to the family.
“As a minister, I’ve been humbled by the generosity of spirit of the congregation.”
Geoff says the project has made the church much more credible in the community.
“We’ve put a lot of money in there - but that’s the easy part. It’s about credibility and functioning relationships, building connections”.
“Providing money doesn’t really touch the spirit of poverty, which stems from a real disconnection from friends and lack of dignified, health-giving relationships.”
Police Counties South Iwi Liaison Officer Tony Tumai says the church’s work is seen as “a God send” by the local school and residents.
“The change in this community is phenomenal and is a reflection of the faith that the church has for these people.”
Geoff says the project has “been a gift” to the church. “It’s given us an opportunity to test the expression of our faith.”
“We’ve done a lot of mission but I’ve always felt some pressure or sense of guilt as to whether we’re impacting our local neighbourhood.”
The project has given the church an outlet, he says.
“This is what the church is born for.”
But being involved hasn’t always been easy, he says. “Kids coming to have breakfast will turn over the tables and throw food. It can be really difficult and discouraging day-to-day. But our people just keep coming back for more.”
Geoff says he’s also conscious about not developing a culture of dependence through endless handouts. “We want to em-power people”.
Next on the list is facilitating a Parents Inc parenting course.
By Amanda Wells