Crying out for Christchurch City Mission help

Demand for help from the Christchurch City Mission has "exploded", city missioner Michael Gorman says.

As the mission raises funds for a new $10.5 million building, The Press spent last week finding out how the mission helps some of the most disadvantaged people in Christchurch.

The week-long series, Life at the Mission, will focus on a different aspect of the service every day and begins today with a look at the food bank.

Gorman said demand for mission services was very high.

"There are demands on all our services, " he said.

"There are 100 more people wanting to use the women's drop-in centre than last year. The Thorpe House (detox centre) used to not have much of a waiting list, now you can't get into the service as quickly as you used to. Wahine Whai Ora's (drug and alcohol counselling service) workload has exploded over the last two years – you have 18 at a group sometimes."

Christchurch City councillors have approved a $2m grant towards the new mission, but the grant is subject to public feedback. If the grant is finally approved in June it would bring the fundraising total for the $10.5m building to $6.5m.

The mission has resource consent to redevelop its Hereford St properties. The $10.5m project includes a new two-storey building with basement parking. It is hoped the one-year construction project will start later this year.

This week's series aims to provide insight into how the mission helps people every day.

Mission volunteer Maurice Marks said the services were available for everyone.

"It is not a place for down-and-outs. You just meet interesting people that you can help."

- © Fairfax NZ News