“I Didn’t Want Anyone to Know”: How Vanessa Builds Connection Shift by Shift.
Trust isn’t built overnight — it’s built shift by shift through small, consistent moments of human connection. As a tūao (volunteer) with Orange Sky Aotearoa in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, Vanessa understands this deeply, having experienced homelessness firsthand.
Years ago, after leaving a domestic violence situation abruptly for her own safety, Vanessa spent two weeks living in her car. Overwhelmed by feelings of “embarrassment and shame,” she kept her reality hidden from those around her, unsure of where to turn for help.
More than 112,000 friends and whānau across Aotearoa New Zealand are navigating homelessness and the heavy burden of isolation that comes with it. Homelessness extends beyond those sleeping rough on a city street, with the vast majority of people sleeping in cars, couchsurfing, or living in emergency, temporary or severely overcrowded housing.
Looking back, Vanessa says she “absolutely” would have used Orange Sky’s free mobile laundry and shower services had they been available to her during that time.
“That human sort of feeling again after having a shower or putting on some clean clothes—like it’s a tiny little thing to most people, but it’s such a dramatic thing to someone that doesn’t have that.”
When Vanessa later discovered Orange Sky, she knew it was her chance to give back and uplift others in her community. For the past year and a half, she has been on shift as a tūao (volunteer) in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland. Whether helping a solo parent save on laundry costs so they can afford a doctor’s visit or sitting down for a weekly catch-up with friends and whānau, she sees the real power of non-judgmental connection every single week.
“I think the biggest impact is removing the shame of asking for help. If someone can get a load of washing done and a shower, they might feel more inclined to connect with other wraparound support services.”
For Vanessa, volunteering on shift is a deeply rewarding two-way street: “Even though we’re there to provide a service to somebody else, I think often you get more out of it yourself on a personal level.”
Eight Years in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland
It’s World Homeless Day on Saturday, October 10 – but also a meaningful day for Orange Sky as the eight-year anniversary of our very first shift in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland. It’s a special time to highlight Orange Sky’s kaupapa and say ngā mihi nui for the mahi from tūao, supporters and service partners. For people doing it tough across Aotearoa New Zealand, hardship isn’t just about financial strain—it’s the isolation that comes with it. While a clean load of washing or a warm shower provides immediate comfort, it’s the consistency of an Orange Sky shift that creates trust and builds communities where no one faces hardship alone.
The National Picture
Orange Sky now has eight locations across the motu with more than 70 shifts each week. The need for community support across Aotearoa New Zealand remains urgent:
Orange Sky has provided over 46,000+ loads of laundry, 19,000+ warm showers, and 65,000+ hours of genuine kōrero.
Connection in the Community
Vanessa is one of many tūao who make this mahi possible. Each week, shifts are run by more than 1,000 volunteers supporting our kaupapa.
Every shift, tūao pull out our six chairs, creating a safe space where friends can join for kōrero, connect with their community and link up with other support services.
We know that no single organisation can solve homelessness alone, which is why Orange Sky is built on collaborative partnerships. Working alongside and not in isolation from local communities allows us to provide more holistic support to people navigating hardship and prevent few people from falling through the gaps. Our regular and consistent shifts provide a welcoming, low-barrier entry point to accessing support. Over a warm load of laundry and genuine kōrero, friends and whānau are safely linked to broader support – from food relief and healthcare to employment and housing services.
