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Auckland’s first ‘Street Week’ begins October 21
Auckland Rough Sleepers Initiative Press Release
October 18, 2007
Auckland’s first ‘Street Week’ begins on Sunday, October 21.
Organised by the Auckland Rough Sleepers Initiative (ARSI) in conjunction with the Client Committee of homeless people for whom the CBD is ‘home’, the week will include a range of activities “in celebration of things that impact positively on the street,” says ARSI spokesperson, Wilf Holt.
Activities will include street barbecues/sausage sizzles, an information stand in Aotea Square, a free film showing, an art exhibition, church services – and a debate between academics from Waikato University and homeless support agency staff entitled ‘Rough sleeping is an attractive option’.
“The homeless are the most marginalised in our community,” says Holt. “This is an opportunity to provide activities which include them in the community and to try and change some of the stereotypes around people who live much of their lives on the street,” says Holt.
ARSI, comprised of representatives of social service agencies working with rough sleepers – Auckland City Mission, Methodist Mission (Northern), Salvation Army, New Zealand Prostitutes Collective and the Homeless Team from the Taylor Centre (community mental health) – was formed to co-ordinate activities, provide support for each other and to improve the quality of life for rough sleepers in Auckland and provide support for each other.
Street Week Programme:
Sunday October 21 – 10 am church service and morning tea, St Matthew-in-the-City, Hobson Street
Monday October 22 (Labour Day) – 1pm street barbecue, Auckland City Mission, 140 Hobson Street.
Tuesday October 23 – 7pm film screening of The Pursuit of Happyness starring Will Smith, Salvation Army, 369 Queen Street. Free entry, on the big screen, coffee and cake to follow.
Wednesday October 24 – 11am-10pm Information Stand, Robbie’s Statute, Aotea Square.
Thursday October 25 – 7pm debate ‘Rough Sleeping is an attractive option’, St Matthew-in-the-City, Hobson Street.
Friday October 26 – New Zealand Prostitute Collectives (NZPC) Open Day and sausage sizzle, in the car park adjacent to NZPC, 486 Karangahape Road.
Sunday October 28 – 10am church service and art exhibition at the Methodist Mission (Northern), 2 Airedale St, followed by morsel delights of pork, mussels and other delicacies.
Details on www.aucklandcitymission.org.nz
ENDS
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