For 120 years, the Wellington City Mission has been dedicated to caring for people in need. This morning Dame Cindy opened WCM’s new home, Whakamaru, which represents a gamechanger in the delivery of housing and social services. Whakamaru is a beautiful, light and sustainable build, with great care and thought evident in every aspect. The goal is to break down the barriers between 'us' and 'them' and create an ‘intentional community’, where Wellingtonians can join manuhiri in using public spaces, including a café, chapel and meeting rooms. Thirty-five apartments will provide long-term transitional housing, and manuhiri will have access to showers, laundry facilities, a social supermarket, counselling, medical and dental care, and a chapel. The café will operate on a pay as you can basis, and will shift modes at 7pm to become a crisis recovery centre.
To see images from the opening, go to this link Whakamaru Opening.
To read Dame Cindy's speech, go to this link Whakamaru Opening.
