For Henderson mum Kayla*, the support of Christians Against Poverty (CAP) has been life-changing. Kayla, a mother of five, was the sole income earner in her family. She loved her job, but after the birth of her youngest child she experienced burnout and was unable to work. The loss of income quickly led to mounting financial pressure. ‘I had people knocking on the door, ringing constantly and threatening repossession. It was unbearable,’ she says.
It was at this point Kayla turned to CAP, a charitable trust with a mission to end money chaos for individuals and families facing financial hardship. ‘We provide free care and long-term support to whānau struggling with poverty caused by unmanageable debt,’ explains CAP’s Mandy Dhiman. CAP’s Debt Help caseworkers provide immediate relief from the stress of financial hardship by developing personalised money plans and negotiating affordable repayments with lenders. ‘Caseworkers prioritise essentials such as rent, food and power, while helping families regain control of their finances and steadily repay what they owe using their own income and savings,’ says Mandy.
Before CAP, Kayla’s life was spiralling out of control. Her mental health rapidly declined, she struggled to sleep, and the constant pressure placed enormous strain on her marriage and family life. Today, life looks very different. The phone has stopped ringing, the threats from creditors have ended, and the family can finally look ahead with hope. ‘This month is our 20th anniversary. I would love to go away as a family, even for a weekend in New Zealand to celebrate,’ says Kayla. Until recently, that would have been out of reach.
Kayla’s experience reflects the reality many West Auckland families face. As cost-of-living pressures continue to bite, demand for CAP’s services is growing. A recent client survey found that 82% of families were regularly skipping meals, while 65% feared losing their homes.
Thanks to a $20,000 grant from the latest Your West Support Fund, CAP can extend its support to even more local families. The funding will contribute towards the salaries of CAP’s Debt Help caseworkers. ‘This funding will enable seven individuals or whānau to complete our no-cost programme and break free from unmanageable debt,’ says Mandy. ‘On average, each family will reduce their debt and overdue bills by $9,674 through repayments or write-offs as a result of CAP’s advocacy.’
CAP is also helping families build long-term financial resilience through a new Buffer Builder app, developed in partnership with Sorted. The free app helps users build an emergency savings fund by setting savings goals, tracking progress and automating regular contributions.
CAP’s Debt Help service is available to West Aucklanders at no cost. The service is open to everyone, regardless of their faith or whether they attend church. People needing support with unmanageable debt can visit the website or contact CAP’s free helpline on 0508 227 111.
Learn more about Christians Against Poverty at capnz.org or follow them on Facebook.
If you or your organisation could use support from The Trusts, find out how to apply at thetrusts.co.nz/our-funds.
*Name changed for privacy.
