Chair's Report
CMM’s ability to keep services running throughout the pandemic stands out as a significant highlight in a difficult year. Yet again, we’ve faced huge challenges. However, our staff have responded to ensure care and services were delivered with dignity and compassion throughout the organization.
CMM’s ability to keep services running throughout the pandemic stands out as a significant highlight in a difficult year. Yet again, we’ve faced huge challenges. However, our staff have responded to ensure care and services were delivered with dignity and compassion throughout the organisation.
We are proud of our continued work to house individuals and whānau who find themselves as victims of New Zealand’s housing crisis. Our growing housing portfolio is helping CMM address this issue, albeit in a small way. CMM continues to stand as a leader in the community housing sector. In July we were pleased to add 14 new houses to our social housing portfolio. This brought the number of permanent homes in Christchurch administered by CMM to 112.
I’m saddened by the growing number of children living in motels. In Christchurch alone, nearly 400 children call these places of temporary accommodation home. It’s a sorry situation that’s getting desperately worse. We must hold these tamariki in the palm of our hands as we consider where we prioritize our resources as a nation. How can children thrive in anything but a safe and supportive environment? CMM is committed to doing its utmost as an advocate and service provider for these children.
The range of services we continue to offer from the very young at Aratupu Preschool & Whānau Hub, our community development workers, our social workers, and our care and service staff who keep WesleyCare operating, are all part of what makes up CMM’s impressive service in Christchurch, the West Coast, Blenheim and Nelson. Our Board thanks all staff members for your service and commitment. You all carry the flag for the values of the Methodist Mission.
As I look at the CMM budget for the coming year, I am pleased to see funding to continue for all core areas of work. CMM will keep working with the people who need us most, offering long-term solutions rather than quick-fix suggestions.
Advocacy is one of the values which drives us all as a Board and an organization. CMM is a voice for the voiceless and an advocate against injustice. The leadership our Executive Director, Jill Hawkey, brings to social justice debates affirms her mana in this field, not only in our city but throughout New Zealand. I thank Jill for her magnificent servant leadership.
I extend my thanks to my fellow Board members who continue as volunteers to oversee this organization. The skills and values you devote to the Mission are laudable.
To all our supporters from parishes and individual donors, philanthropic trusts and government departments our deepest thanks. CMM’s work would not be possible without your commitment to building a better world.