IT TAKES AN ARMY

IT TAKES AN ARMY

 

When Leona and Nick arrived in Auckland, they hoped for a fresh start closer to whānau. Instead, they faced the harsh reality of soaring rents and limited housing options. ‘We went from helping others to needing help ourselves. It was a shock,’ Leona says.

With nowhere else to go, they squeezed into her sister’s two-bedroom house while desperately searching for a home.

A Door Opens through your Support

Feeling overwhelmed and out of options, Leona reached out to The Salvation Army. Her call for help set in motion the pathway toward stable housing. Staff supported the family through the assessment process, guided them through the steps required, and ensured they didn’t have to navigate the complex housing system alone.

The family moved into a secure, long-term home—an outcome made possible by donors like you whose generosity helps to provide vital wraparound support for those in housing programmes.

‘They blessed my children with a home when we had nowhere to go,’ Leona says.

Wraparound Care That Restores Hope

A safe home was just the beginning. The Salvation Army’s budgeting and financial mentoring services helped Leona and Nick build confidence and control over their finances. ‘We learned to track every dollar and make better choices. It gave us clarity and control.’

Beyond the practical support, the emotional lift of having people who genuinely cared made a world of difference for their children and their future.

A Brighter Future Ahead

With stability behind them, Leona is now working toward completing her Bachelor of Accounting, while Nick hopes to study sports management.

‘The Salvation Army didn’t just fix one part of our lives. They wrapped themselves around our whole family. They gave us stability, education, kindness and hope. They helped us emotionally, practically, and financially. They gave our children memories of joy instead of stress. They helped us rebuild. They changed our lives,’ said Leona. 

You Can Help More Families Like Theirs

 

Your generosity provides homes, dignity, and hope across Aotearoa.

Please donate today to The Salvation Army’s Red Shield Appeal and help to provide wraparound services.

Because it doesn’t take one person to change a life…
It Takes an Army.