Our Family Service Centres in Papakura and Takanini provide essential health, education, and social services to families in the Counties Manukau area. Jack*, a father from a refugee family of five, reached out for support and was connected with one of our social workers.

Jack and his family were living in emergency housing and needed support to find stability as they faced significant challenges due to the language barrier.

“The family was under financial stress and relied heavily on a translation app to communicate. It was very difficult for them to express their needs when we first met, and they shared how overwhelming it was to navigate various support services on their own,” Alvy recalls.

“They had withdrawn from several community programmes out of confusion and embarrassment after asking for help, before coming to us. In our first meeting, they were very honest about needing help. Because of their limited English, it was hard to convey the right information. Progress was slow, we took small steps each month to gather the necessary documents and connect with the appropriate community groups. But I was continually impressed by their resilience. Over time, they gained confidence, became more familiar with the processes, and ultimately achieved their goal of creating a stable environment for their family.”

This family’s journey is a testament to their resilience and determination. As they continue to improve their English, they actively engage with community groups to access food and essential supplies, demonstrating a proactive approach to their needs. Through hard work and commitment, they have made remarkable progress in rebuilding their lives and establishing a sense of belonging in their new community.

At Family Service Centres, we help families like Jack’s to reach their goals and empower them to thrive, building a brighter future for themselves and their children. 

*Name changed for privacy