De Paul House is a North Shore not-for-profit that, for over 40 years, has been providing transitional and social housing for homeless or inadequately housed families and seniors.
General manager Jan Rutledge comments, “De Paul House, like many not-for-profit organisations, was founded by volunteers. We now rely on a team of volunteers who work in our early childhood centre, community learning centre and sorting donated goods. Without their loyal dedication, we would not be able to provide the much-needed practical support that many families and seniors are lacking.”
De Paul House runs a food bank, bedding, household goods, clothing and furniture banks, all run by volunteers. Other tasks undertaken vary greatly, from general gardening and grounds maintenance, supporting our classes in the community learning centre, fundraising, preparing units before a family or senior moves in, and helping in the early childhood centre.
Lesley Farmer, volunteer and community liaison at De Paul House, says, “We have around 50 regular volunteers. Many have been volunteering for ten to thirty years! They are mostly retired, active adults who turn up once a week for two to three hours. They stay because they create wonderful friendships, know they are making a difference, and are part of the solution to poverty and hardship. Our youngest volunteer is 12, and the oldest is over 80 years young!"
When surveyed recently, volunteers shared what the impact of volunteering had on their lives:
- “Volunteering at De Paul House has given me a sense of purpose in my daily life. It gets me out of the house and interacting with lovely people.”
- “I feel it has made me a better person, in that I understand the needs of others.”
- “It’s been good to know that I’ve been able to give some of my time to volunteer and know that it can make a difference in the lives of others.”
Corporate employee volunteering
De Paul House use Volunteering Auckland’s corporate employee volunteering programme to be matched with a corporate that wants to give its staff a paid day off to volunteer. Lesley comments, “We take teams of up to 15 for four to six hours. They love the opportunity to be out of the office; it’s great for team building, and they do an amazing job. They may be given a project such as painting a fence, cleaning the work vehicles, giving our accommodation units a makeover, or general cleaning.” Many businesses return every year, as the staff enjoy the day and learn about the challenges of homelessness for New Zealand families and seniors.
Cheryll Martin QSO, GM of Volunteering Auckland, comments, “Research has proven that those who volunteer tend to be happier, live longer, laugh more often and are more satisfied with life. Retirees are valued as volunteers for the skills they bring, their loyalty and commitment.”
Approximately 50% of New Zealanders (over 1 million people) participate in some form of volunteering, contributing roughly 157–231 million hours annually. The formal, unpaid work contributed by volunteers is valued at approximately $4 billion to $6.4 billion annually.
To learn more, contact Lesley Farmer at De Paul House, lesley@depaulhouse.org.nz, depaulhouse.org.nz, or Volunteering Auckland volunteeringauckland.org.nz
