New friends, a new van, but the same special connection
What a whirlwind 2021 has been! Hugo and Hudson (and the soon-to-be-named third van) have had a huge year – as well as all of us living here in Aotearoa.
To say we’ve all been through a lot over the past 12 months would be an understatement – but I couldn’t be prouder to be part of the Orange Sky team. Every volunteer, supporter and friend has made our community stronger than ever; despite lockdowns, restrictions and temporary shift pauses.
Connection has continued to remain a core value at Orange Sky – and I have had the pleasure of making new friends this year, including Howie.
I first met Howie at a Salvation Army shift in West Auckland and this year, we have been able to celebrate him finding safe, permanent housing – after almost three years of living in his van. Howie shared with me how difficult the experience was – far removed from the fun and freedom of a short-term campervan holiday.
The best part is that even after finding housing, Howie still comes to shift – not for the washing, but for the connection. And if we’re lucky, he even cooks a boil up for the friends on shift!
As an essential service, we will continue operating throughout the holiday season and hopefully spread a little bit of joy through positive connection and conversations – at what can be a difficult time of year.
It just so happens that the shift Howie attends is the same one my Dad and sister volunteer at – so I look forward to celebrating with Hugo and Howie on Christmas Day at the Salvation Army. After shift, we will head north to join whānau at Warkworth, some of who we haven’t seen since the last Level 4 lockdown.
I wanted to take this opportunity to say thank you for being part of the Orange Sky community in 2021. After what’s been a huge year, I hope you are able to enjoy time with your family and loved ones over the holiday period.
Wishing you a Meri Kirihimete!
These holidays, help more people like Howie.
SUPPORTED BY
How Orange Sky gave me dignity
Hi, I’m Howie; I’m Maori from Ngāpuhi descent. I’m a proud person. I live in Beach Haven, which is known as a posh area, but I ended up living in my van for three years as I struggled finding housing.
I spent all my life in Beach Haven, playing or coaching rugby for the Northcote Tigers. After we sold our family home, I struggled to find safe and permanent housing.
I think that a lot of people who have never been through homelessness can’t really understand what it’s like. Some people would think I was lucky living in my van. It’s alright for three weeks, but not three years. My living situation had its ups and downs; the downs were pretty tough. At times, I virtually only had my dogs to talk to.
But good things also came out of me living in my van. I met a wide variety of good people – people experiencing the same situation as me, and people helping people like me. Meeting Orange Sky was like a godsend. Each Saturday morning visiting the orange van was like my big day out! Washing my clothes, having a shower and a chat gave me dignity. And people weren’t judging me for my situation or my skin colour; they just gave me moral support.
About three years, or 1,265 days after living in my van, I finally got a place. But I keep coming back to the orange van because I miss the people. It’s not just the showers, it’s the people.
I hope I can give back to my community and work with an organisation out here. I just know what people out on the streets are going through. You can still be a proud person who wants dignity when you’re living on the streets. But a lot of people don’t want to ask for help, they get overwhelmed. I hope I can help bridge that gap.
Homelessness doesn’t rest over Christmas, and holidays can be a particularly tough time for our friends on the street. If you’d like to help ensure that friends, like Howie, can continue to be supported over the holidays, please consider a donation today.
These holidays, help more people like Howie.