Island Child Trust Supports Homeless Aucklanders
Danielle Bergin is an inspirational woman with a bubbly personality, warm smile and huge heart.
We recently visited Danielle, her mother Wendy Tattersfield and daughter Rosie in Glen Innes, East Auckland where they manage and run transitional housing for homeless people.
Having spent three years living in her car many years ago, Danielle became a passionate supporter for homeless families/whānau wanting turn their lives around.
She established Island Child Trust in 2005, once she had her newborn baby. The Trust which provides shelter, care, support and opportunities for whānau experiencing a housing crisis. Danielle, who was once a homeless, single mum looking for shelter and support, has dedicated her life to helping others in a similar situation.
Danielle’s team includes her mother Wendy (known as Nan) and her 16-year-old daughter Rosie. They are making a sustainable difference in the lives of whānau facing a housing crisis.
Island Child can home 58 people at a time, giving them a safe place and a supportive environment. Danielle helps to rehome over 80 families (residential clients) each year, depending on available housing. Demand is high for accommodation with an average of six requests a day to take in homeless families/whānau.
Danielle and her team also provide a 12-week residential programme that operates 24/7 from premises in Glen Innes and in a neighbouring suburb where they learn life skills and new coping strategies. Their benefit entitlements are reviewed, and budgeting advice is provided, along with training and employment assistance, where appropriate. Parents are required to attend a parenting programme and high risk child and youth have access to therapy support.
The Tindall Foundation has been supporting Island Child since 2018 with donations of $170,000. We talked to Danielle about how our donation has helped support her work at Island Child.
