25 Oct, 2017 09:31 AM
Among the Life Vision Society members establishing a community activity centre and temporary homeless shelter in south Auckland are, from left, membership officer Hiten Desai, founder Jyoti Rahal, founder and chairman Davinder Rahal, vice president Anita Keestra, and treasurer and volunteer Karnail Singh.
South Aucklanders with nowhere to sleep have a new place to lay their head at night.
The Life Vision Society has bought a unit in an office building in East Tamaki Rd, Papatoetoe, which it's turning into a community activity centre, kitchen, and temporary homeless shelter.
Society founder and chairman Davinder Rahal, who's a Justice of the Peace, was awarded a Queen's Service Medal in 2012 for services to the Indian community.
He's invested the money required to launch the initiative.
The unit contains a large hall, several smaller rooms, and offers free wi-fi.
One of the rooms has three single beds which will provide homeless people with somewhere to stay.
They'll have access to an on-site shower, bathroom and kitchen facilities.
"We've been doing community work in south Auckland for such a long time," Rahal says.
"My passion is to always look for where there is need.
"We give food to people living in council housing who are neglected and we see people who are homeless and hungry sitting on the street."
Rahal says the society found the unit for sale while looking for a suitable space to rent.
It can also be used by senior citizens as a place to gather and chat over a cup of tea and a biscuit as well as a place for people to have minor disputes mediated, he says.
Society vice-president Anita Keestra, who's also a Justice of the Peace, says the facility will be open to the community.
"The vision for the society is quite big and broad.
"We've had some donations from businesses and we've got people who can supply more mattresses to put on the floor of the hall [if needed].
"We know there's a need in the community and we are trying to do our bit."
Rahal says the society has distributed more than 300 food packs to people in need around south Auckland.
Its members helped Flat Bush couple Vance and Jasmine McPhee, who regularly feed less fortunate members locals in Manurewa.
"About 100 people came each time. We thought 'we need to do something [more]'."
The society will be giving away free vegetarian food from its premises at 39A East Tamaki Rd, Papatoetoe, every Monday from 6.30pm to 7.30pm starting on October 30.
Phone 027 777 4477 to use the facility.
Story By: Chris Harrowell
Reference Link: https://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/manukau-courier/98187288/empty-south-auckland-office-unit-to-be-turned-into-a-homeless-shelter
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