Eighteen, penniless, away from whānau and with nowhere to live, the Compassion Soup Kitchen was there when DJ needed it most.
It was a series of bad decisions any teenager could make that put him on the streets.
Maybe you or someone close to you has been there and you know how close you came to losing everything. And it was only the support of friends and family that got you through.
Unfortunately, not everyone has friends and family to fall back on, that is where you can help.
We are speaking today because you get it. Your past support shows me that you understand how important the Compassion Soup Kitchen is in our community.
For so many Wellingtonians a series of bad breaks or just rising costs mean they can no longer afford food or end up on the streets.
Growing up in an unstable abusive environment DJ was exposed to drugs and alcohol from a young age. DJ tried his first cigarette at the age of 5, sniffing solvents at age 9 till he was 14 when he was allowed to drink alcohol. Expelled from school at 15, DJ went straight into a job with ex-patched members who took him under their wing teaching him carpentry & farming. He worked hard and played hard in a very adult world.
DJ came to Wellington when he got an opportunity to study carpentry at Wellington Polytechnic. His first time in a big city, with no adults around to tell him what to do, he felt like he’d been let
loose. With his student loan for a whole semester in his pocket, DJ spent it on drinking and partying rather than paying for food and rent.
It didn’t take long before the money ran out. Being unable to pay rent DJ became homeless.
He managed to keep up his studies at Polytechnic for a while but without somewhere to live and no money, life became about survival, that’s when he found the Compassion Soup Kitchen. What he remembers most, apart from being fed, is the warm welcome he received and Sister Margaret Anne’s beautiful smile. The Compassion Soup Kitchen became part of his daily routine.
“I remember the lovely people, the Sisters, the big hearts, going to have a meal, and that was a big thing.”
The Compassion Soup Kitchen became a lifeline for DJ while he was homeless.
“It was a light, not just for me, but for many people who needed somewhere to go, not just to have kai, but meet other people, to sit down and have a chat, and if you want to, share your journey; share stories.”
With the help of generous people like you we can give whānau who a struggling a helping hand. A warm meal, a moment of connection and the support they need to get back on their feet.
Founded in 1901 by Meri Hōhepa Suzanne Aubert, the Compassion Soup Kitchen began by serving soup to men coming to Wellington in search of work. With few jobs and no family support, the Compassion Soup Kitchen became a haven for around 80 men a day.
125 years later the need to support those who find themselves facing hardship and hunger is greater than ever.
That’s why I’m asking you today to make a donation. Because generosity can change someone’s life at the very moment, they need help most.
Today, DJ is still a regular at the Soup Kitchen – but now as part of our Kaimanaaki team. DJ trained as a social worker and uses his training and experiences to offer support, care and compassion to those who are now in the same place he once stood. He understands the importance of listening without judgement and the impact of a warm meal and a moment of human connection. It is his way of giving back. He still remembers the warmth and the smile he received when he walked through the door all those years ago.
The Compassion Soup Kitchen exists to serve the community. That’s why your donation matters. Because of you, no-one is ever turned away.
Will you consider a donation to the Compassion Soup Kitchen today?
Ka whakapai ahau ki i ā koe mo tōu atawhai. I thank you for your kindness.
Sam Johnson
Manager, Compassion Soup Kitchen
PS: Donate before 31 March to claim your 33% tax rebate on donations over $5.
