Andrew & Caroline just donated $520- Irene just donated $52.75
- Raewyn just donated $42.20
- Hannah just donated $1.06
- David just donated $50.64
- Marianne just donated $139.26
- Kyron just donated $100
- Benjamin just donated $200
- Kerry&Robin just donated $51.84
- Isobel just donated $105.50
- Liz just donated $105.50
- Jemima just donated $1.06
- Rhiannon just donated $139.26
- just donated $1.06
- thom just donated $1.06
- Elia just donated $27.43
- Sarah just donated $50.64
- Pheona just donated $77.01
- Amy just donated $5.40
- Andrew just donated $50.64
John is 1 of 41,600*
*That’s the number of Kiwis experiencing homelessness last Census night. It’s probably even higher now.
John currently lives in his car – but he doesn’t let that take his dignity or compassion for others away. Like a lot of Kiwis, he’s the resilient sort. He says, “I can survive. I can survive anywhere.”
After hearing about Orange Sky in 2019, John is now a regular at one of our Te Whanganui-a-Tara (Wellington) shifts where he’s well known for being a snappy dresser, and folding his laundry with military precision. Something he’s continued after his time in the military as a chef.
But John’s visits to Orange Sky became a bit more than just the soap and hot water. Living in his car can be quite isolating but each week he looks forward to a chat and having someone to share his news with. John said, “They think I’m a bit of a character. I like sharing with them what I've been doing”
He’s the compassionate sort too. As an active member of his community and local church, John is always pitching in to help others through volunteering and simple acts of kindness. Despite having so little for himself, he still gives so much.
Please dig deep and help care for John and all the people who’ll need kindness and human connection over the next few months – and into next year.
Photo above: Our friend John (right) and Orange Sky volunteer Adam (left) are standing in front of one of our mobile laundry vans.
You can help other people like John who are doing it tough
Volunteers drive mobile laundry and shower services to loads of cities, and regional communities every week.
Your kind gift today can help put fuel in mobile laundry to keep us on the road over the holidays and into the new year – supporting communities that need us.
It takes more than 300 volunteers to connect communities through regular laundry and shower services.
People and connection is at the heart of everything we do. We need your help to find and train the awesome people who volunteer with Orange Sky and spend hours listening to friends in need.
Our shifts are getting busier. We’ve run more than 850 shifts this year already and we'll need to do more next year.
With a substantial contribution towards running more shifts, you'll be helping hundreds of people experience kindness, connection and hope over the holidays and in the new year.
Sometimes, a fresh start beings with fresh laundry
We’re all feeling the increased cost of living in our own way, but for our friends experiencing homelessness or hardship – it’s getting worse.
It’s not just the numbers of people affected by the crisis that get us. It’s the heartbreak in the stories our friends share with us. In stories like John's.
The next few months will be especially hard for people who are experiencing homelessness or hardship. But, you and Orange Sky can make a difference.
We can provide friends with a warm shower, clean fresh clothes, and the knowledge that someone cares about them.
Clean laundry is what brings people to Orange Sky – but connection is what makes this a life-changing service.
What does Orange Sky do?
We’re here to support our community through free laundry, warm showers and genuine kōrero.
Orange Sky is a not-for-profit organisation working across Aotearoa to provide people experiencing homelessness and hardship with access to free laundry services, warm showers and genuine, non-judgmental kōrero.
Our mission is to positively connect communities by providing a safe, positive and supportive environment for people who are often ignored or feel disconnected from their community.
There’s no good time of year to be experiencing homelessness.
When you’re experiencing homelessness and hardship, all that tinsel and togetherness can be a reminder of things that are out of reach right now, like a safe place to call home and connection with whānau and friends.
Orange Sky is a simple service and we can’t fix homelessness alone. But fresh laundry, a shower and a warm and friendly chat can make a huge difference for someone doing it tough. When you support Orange Sky, you’re telling someone that you care. You help them in a really direct and human way.
Please dig deep and help care for all the people who’ll need kindness and human connection over the holidays and into the new year.
Lucas
Orange Sky Co-Founder & CEO
