Year 10, Wellington College students, were set free for a day to partake in volunteer activities throughout the region.

Events, Food BankVinnies Wellington13 December 2018volunteering, donate, food bankComment

On November 17, in line with Pope Francis’ call to promote the Second World Day of the Poor, Vinnies chapters in the wider Wellington region held free stores, providing thousands of items of clothes free of charge to those in need.

Events, Social Justice, welfareOliver Bailey13 December 2018Events, welfare, wellingtonComment

Nikau Foundation

We are delighted to share that we are successful applicants of a $5000 Nikau Foundation grant - Kevin & Julia O’Connor Endowment Fund.

Social Justice, welfareVinnies Wellington13 December 2018welfareComment

Volunteer Wellington: The Vinnies Powerhouse

Article from the Volunteer Wellington, Issue 35 Newsletter.

Staff, Vinnies Re Sew, EventsVinnies Wellington11 December 2018staff, sustainability

World Day of the Poor observed in many ways - Welcom News

On Sunday 18 November the second World Day of the Poor was observed around the globe. Pope Francis established the World Day of the Poor to encourage the whole Church to reach out to those in need and let the poor know their cries have not gone unheard, the Pope said in his message this year.

EventsVinnies Wellington7 December 2018Events, volunteering, social responsibilityComment

St Vincent de Paul Feast Day Mass.

Thank you. St Vincent de Paul Feast Day Mass.

Events, SVDP Conference ActivityVinnies Wellington4 October 2018Conference, saint vincent de paul, mass, feast dayComment

Wellington sewing initiative Re Sew remakes the suffrage petition

Over the last couple of weeks, an old boardroom inside Wellington Museum has been transformed into a fabric workshop.

Wellington sewing initiative Vinnies Re Sew embarked on a Suffrage in Stitches project to recreate the 1893 suffrage petition in kind.

Vinnies Wellington24 September 2018Comment

A Sustainable Society

While the use of recycling in sustainable living is sometimes seen as an extra (and often avoided) financial burden, over the last year Vinnies in Wellington has made efforts to prove the opposite, by opting for low-cost methods of waste disposal. This has been achieved with the help of a “Your Sustainable Workplace” audit by Sustainability Trust, a gradual elimination of the use of plastics in op shops, and the successful Re Sew programme operating since November in a space above Vinnies in Kilbirnie.

Vinnies Re Sew, op shopsOliver Bailey11 September 2018sustainability, social enterprise, social responsibilityComment

Key safety practices for Conference Vincentians

The six local Conferences of the Society in the Wellington area recently committed to strengthening our practices for Vincentians, taking care of safety for ourselves, our colleagues and our clients.

Vinnies Wellington6 September 2018

Why Op Shops?

In a world where many businesses exist with profit maximisation as their primary purpose and the financial concerns of shareholders overriding those of the community, social enterprises are changing the way in which we measure success.

op shopsMatthew Beattie3 September 2018op shops, social enterpriseComment

The next Gen of Social Justice leaders.

The first vivid memory I have of witnessing a social justice issue was when I was maybe 7 or 8 and I was on a small trip up to Auckland. My family and I were walking through the city and I was shocked to see how many people were living on the streets. In the moment, I was scared at first - they were strangers asking for money and I didn’t know how to react.

Laurelei Bautista31 August 2018

Recycle. Retrain. Re Sew.

The cosy mezzanine looking out over the Vinnies Op Shop in Kilbirnie is more than just a sewing space. For the people who attend Re Sew it’s a safe haven. A sanctuary. A creative space. A second chance.

Allison Hess31 August 2018

The Year in Review: Welfare & Services

The challenge for the coming year will be to maintain a consistent service while putting into effect the changes that offer more choice for clients and more effective support throughout all areas of food parcels, pregnancy assistance, and social advocacy and advice.

Staff, Social Justice, welfare, Food BankOliver Bailey28 August 2018annual report, welfare, food bankComment

Why Food Banks?

One of the main ways that poverty manifests is through food insecurity. Many households in New Zealand do not have the means to provide food for themselves, or their families. As food is crucial for healthy development, and providing the energy to pursue an active and productive life, it is vital to address this issue as one of urgency. If an individual does not have the basic means necessary to pursue opportunities, it is unlikely that they will be able to escape poverty.

welfare, Social JusticeNina Opacic28 August 2018wellington, welfare, food bank, social issuesComment

Faith in Action

Steph and Laurie are a seemingly ordinary couple but they are doing extraordinary things in their retirement as they spread love and compassion through their volunteer work with St Vincent de Paul.

SVDP Conference Activity, Social JusticeAllison Hess20 August 2018Conference, welfare, social justice, communityComment

New coordinator for Vinnies services

Pregnancy Assistance is one of the many free, professional support services the team at St Vincent de Paul Society in Wellington offers. Started in the early 2000s, it continues to provide an invaluable service to Wellington mothers and their babies.

Staff, welfareVinnies Wellington7 August 2018social justice, welfare, wellington, social issuesComment

A Brief Introduction to our new Young Adults Coordinator.

We asked James a few hard-hitting questions to really get to know what makes him tick...

Staff, SVDP Conference Activity, VolunteersVinnies Wellington12 July 2018staff, youth, Young Vinnies, Conference, young adultsComment

Meet the Team - Tomi Smith

He’s come a long way, growing in confidence “and muscles,” he laughs, with Simon, one of the van drivers, helping him learn the ropes and giving him a hand with his studies at WelTec.

VolunteersDylan Bird22 June 2018volunteeringComment