Shane’s story.
After intense challenges throughout his life, and eventually ending up homeless, Shane has gone from staying in our transitional housing, to working with us! Read his story below:
“What brought me to the Mission was the life I’ve had. From the age of 13, there was a lot of violence in our home. I saw my mother being physically abused by her partner. That really affected me. I started running away from home, getting into trouble, and staying on the streets. I had low self-esteem and anger issues, and I had a very difficult relationship with my family which caused a lot of false accusations and legal troubles.
“After I finished school, people didn’t want to hire me because of my background, but eventually I found my first job as a cleaner. It was really good to start my career, and I was working in a crew of people cleaning places like offices and picture theatres.
“During Covid, the company I’d worked with for 10 years lost most of its sites, and I went from working 60 hours a week to losing my job. From there my life went downhill. It started with me not being able to keep up with my bills and debts anymore, and I had no choice but to declare insolvency. I also lost my relationship with my partner because I wasn’t able to support her anymore, which was devastating for me personally. It took a huge toll on me – I’d lost everything I had going for myself.
“I ended up living on the streets, and was sleeping in bus shelters. It wasn’t easy, and my mental and physical health really deteriorated. Around a year ago, I decided I needed to turn for help through my GPs, and they put a referral in for Supported Transitional Housing care from the Mission.
“When I moved into Te Pā Pori, it took me a few weeks to adjust to everything because I’d never been in a living situation like this before and I still had a lot of grieving to do. But over the 12 months I was here, I got the help I needed.
“It really is a community here, and I got a lot out of things like the morning programme which gives you a lift and focus for the day. The biggest one was the counselling I did with Peter. It was hard for me to open up at first, but I started talking about all the things I’ve been through in my life, and that helped me begin moving on from the past. All the support I received really pulled me through, and my health is a lot better. The staff have noticed a huge difference in me as well.
“I started wanting to help out by using my cleaning skills, so I took on some duties around the place. Then one day, the manager, Kris, told me they had noticed my work was of a very high standard. He asked if I would like to be part of the team as a cleaner. That was a big moment for me after everything that had happened since I last worked.
“Now I do about 20 hours a week at Te Pā Pori and Te Pā Maru, cleaning rooms and common areas. I have a list of tasks to get on with independently, and I really enjoy it. The staff also helped me find my own apartment, which is really good, and it’s a ten-minute walk to work.
“I try not to look back on my past. Instead, I’m focusing on the positives of what I’m doing now, and looking forward to the future. Everything I need is in place, and I’m achieving my goals. It feels great to be back on track.
“I reckon that the people who are willing to donate to the Mission are supporting a good cause, and are doing a fantastic job. If it wasn’t for you I don’t know where I would be, but I would have ended up in ICU or worse. I definitely wouldn’t be as uplifted as I am today!”
