Welcome to our update from The House of Grace July 2009!
House News
Our houseparents, Glenn and Natalie Joyce, have been in the House now for eighteen months. They have shared the Home with nine girls, and welcomed ten babies into the world. The teens have lived at the Home for varying lengths of time, some for a few days and some for many months, but all have benefited from The House of Grace and the dedicated houseparent’s who share their home, family, and their faith in Christ with the residents.
Over the past year, we have had some big maintenance projects completed at the Home with the help of charitable grants and donations. We have been able to insulate the upstairs of the Home with help from the Wellington Children’s Foundation; install a DVS system and extra heating upstairs with help from Johnsonville Rotary and DVS Wellington; solved outside drainage problems with help from a willing group of working bee volunteers, doing all the excavation and filling in work before and after the plumber laid the new drainage; installation of a new gas fire in the lounge to replace the existing wood burner (no more wood chopping!); sealing of the roof and repairs to the flat roofs of the Home that were leaking. Thank you to those churches and individuals who helped financially with the roofing project. Of course, we still have many projects on the boiler, not least being solving the problem of our office space (see below).
Office Space
Since September 2008, our office staff has been working out of space in the Salvation Army building in Johnsonville. This is a temporary arrangement and we are currently working through what the best option is regarding our office space. We are planning on having on-site offices again, but are currently working through options such as extending the home or building detached offices on the Home’s grounds. Of course, this all takes time and money so we will keep you posted on how you may be able to help. A huge thank you to The Salvation Army Johnsonville for helping us to find office space close to the Home!
Needs
As usual, we have a large list of needs: prayer, financial, food and petrol vouchers, toilet paper, tissues, baby clothes (grow suits/all-in-ones, bodysuits and disposable nappies - all 0-6 months size), cleaning products (Toilet Duck, glass cleaner, Pledge Clean & Dust in blue trigger spray bottle, large reusable yellow rubber gloves, Steel Kleen Ezi Wipes), washing powder, toiletries (deodorant, hand soap, body wash, individually wrapped maternity pads), car seats for over 1-year-olds, baby monitor, batteries AAA & AA, vouchers for flatting gear e.g. Briscoes and the Warehouse, photo albums for scrapbooking. If there is anything you are able to help with please contact the office on 920-5667.
Fundraising
Last year we didn’t have our Annual Quiz and Auction Night fundraiser, and instead put out a 2009 calendar. This has helped spread the word about the Home and what we do. This year we have also been fortunate to have some groups do fundraising on our behalf. Voice for Life Wellington branch held a bike/walk-athon for us, and Mothers on a Mission (Arise Church) held a ‘label’ clothing sale for us. Thanks so much to both groups for helping raise funds for our vision. We really appreciate all your hard work!
Later this year we have pencilled in for the 3rd October 09 and back by popular demand - The Quiz Night & Auction. We will keep you posted regarding confirmed date, time and tickets.
Staff / Volunteers
Aftercare news – In June we said a sad farewell to Shelley Julian. Shelley did a fantastic job during her two and half years with running an Anger Management course, Toolbox course and get togethers. Shelley will be missed by all.
There are three young women who are engaged, huge congratulations to them and their fiancé. We wish you all the happiness and blessings. Also two children have started school, wow where did that time go?
New volunteer co-ordinator, Kirsty Jackson. Last year Kirsty volunteered as out donated goods organiser, as time went by Kirsty became more involved and a valued team member of The House of Grace. This year Kirsty changed her role and in now looking after all the volunteers and is part of the training process. We are very excited to have Kirsty in this role which is a huge asset to the Home.
New volunteers for specific roles – Natalie Alabaster, Tanya Beeton, Linda Anderson & Ailsa Cornell – Relief Housemothers. Kirby Carr - donated goods organizer. Jill Rawstorn – Office assistant. Chris Kelly – Anti-natal and breastfeeding specialist. Myles Symons – Working bees & help. Judith Asghar – Donations runner. Thank you to our new volunteers for giving up their time to help up at the Home and make a difference. Welcome to the team.
In May 09 we said farewell to Helen Nicholls who has shifted to Auckland. Helen volunteered at The House of Grace for many years to give the Houseparents time off on Wednesday nights. Helen also did a whole lot more behind the scenes like taking the girls out, meeting up and spending time with them, attending children’s birthday parties and being a friend to many of the young women who came through the home. Thank you Helen for giving yourself to help so many. You are missed greatly.