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NEW ZEALAND—The Salvation Army in New Zealand called for an overhaul of the nation’s social housing policy, saying a third of New Zealanders are struggling to secure adequate and affordable housing. In a 130-page report, Army policy analyst Alan Johnson revealed that the already urgent situation could worsen as population and high building costs increase.
Johnson’s report alleges the current government is taking more out of Housing New Zealand in dividends and putting less capital in than its Labour predecessor.
From stuff.co.nz
FRANCE—France’s laws governing separation of church and state require The Salvation Army France to function as two separate components: the Foundation (social) and Congregation (church). The Congregation serves with 26 corps and participates in prison and hospital ministries.
The Foundation maintains emergency evening shelters, with meals and access to medical care. Its ultimate goal is to reinsert marginalized people back into society by assisting them in their personal “reconstruction,” holding yearly workshops aimed at “the remobilization and establishment of an identity” for thousands of adults.
From armeedusalut.fr/english
AUSTRALIA—Major Brendan Nottle, Melbourne 614 corps officer, received the Melburnian of the Year 2013 award for his ministry in Melbourne’s central business district.
“Every week, Brendan can be found in the city giving crucial support to those in need,” said Lord Mayor Robert Doyle.
Each week in Melbourne, the Army serves 2,000 meals and provides practical and spiritual support to people in need. The Bourke Street center also serves as the hub for outreach work with the city’s homeless and the base for mobile Street Teams, an initiative in partnership with the City of Melbourne.
From salvationarmy.org.au
TASMANIA—Thirty-five corporate and community leaders slept outside for The Salvation Army to raise awareness of homelessness. All pledges received will go toward the Army’s homeless programs.
Now in its fourth year, the “Sleeping Out for the Salvos” event has raised over $277,000 and brought together politicians, local mayors, key government figures and business and community leaders to highlight the need for greater corporate responsibility in solving the problem of homelessness.
From salvationarmy.org.au
JAPAN—A concert sponsored by popular musician and singer/songwriter Kosaka Tadashi raised money for The Salvation Army’s reconstruction assistance needed after to the 7.1 magnitude earthquake that hit off the eastern coast of Japan earlier this year.
Tadashi led children in singing nursery rhymes and also sang new songs and previously unreleased material, much of it written to “comfort the heart.”
From salvationarmy.or.jp
