Merge

I have touched on the subject of Auckland's homeless people in a couple of posts. Once, when I did the post on the Symonds Street Cemetary and then again when I did the more recent post on K' Road. 

Any trip into the city means that when I get there, I'll walk past mostly men, but sometimes women, begging on the street. As I said in my K' Road post, they have without exception, been well mannered and they often say 'thank you,' clearly and meet my eyes when I give them a donation. I have been impressed. 

My post today relates to the homeless and what Auckland and the people of Auckland are doing to combat the problem of homelessness. 

My trips to and post about K' Road led me to do a little more research into the businesses along it, and I found one that impressed me. It's only open Monday through Friday, so it wasn't until recently that I had a free Thursday and was able to go there. 

This is Merge Cafe and the Lifewise Way. 

"It all started with a soup kitchen."

This cafe started out as a soup kitchen but at one point, the thinking of its organizers changed. Here is a quote from their website that explains it. 

"However, more has changed than simply the name. Over recent years, Lifewise has changed its entire approach to working alongside vulnerable and marginalised people. Experience, and evidence, shows that ‘hand outs’ simply don’t solve problems. In fact, traditional charity, despite best efforts, will often do little more than foster dependency in people. Add to this the growing inequality in New Zealand society and it would be fair to say that the charitable ‘band aid’ approach of old is just not cutting it.

Lifewise is responding to this by focusing on the underlying causes of social issues, rather than the consequences. Lifewise’s decision to close its iconic soup kitchen and drop-in-centre, in favour of a targeted service which reintegrates the homeless into houses, jobs and community in general, illustrates this commitment."

The interior of the cafe was as nice as any cafe you might care to choose along K' Road. In addition to a mix of individual tables and chairs, and long tables with bench seating, one wall housed a library of a couple hundred books. I was greeted quickly and my order taken. The coffee was excellent with the familiar Kiwi fern-leaf pattern formed in the milk foam that floated on top of the expresso base.  

Off to one side of the counter, there was an urn-style coffee machine with a bowl of sugar and a pitcher of milk next to it. Men would now and then pour themselves a cuppa and go back to their individual seats or to a small group of friends and continue their conversations. 

At the back of the cafe, an open 'garden' area was visible so I took my coffee and walked toward it. Unfortunately, just as I reached it and considered where to sit, it began raining so I moved back into the shelter of the main room. The picture below is of the garden area. 

I also saw a man working at a computer that appeard to be one that belonged to the cafe and I had read that wifi was available for anyone in the cafe. 

The menu of the cafe is very basic. Anyone can get a bowl of oatmeal for $2. Eggs and toast, omelettes, an even full Kiwi breakfasts are available, but are cheaper than they would be at other cafes. Lunch starts at $4 and I think they usually offer  3 choices. I plan to have lunch there on my next visit. I was too early this time, had already eaten breakfast at home, and so had just a coffee. 

The cafe idea seems to be working. It wants the patronage of people of all walks of life, and as I sat and drank a flat white during my first visit, I saw a number of working people stop in for a cuppa and a meat pie or breakfast muffin for takeway. (to go) 

I also discovered that they have a food pantry available when I saw several people stop in, go to the order counter, and walk away with a bag of apples or a couple loaves of bread. 

Those who can afford to buy an extra meal are encouraged to do so when paying their bill. 'Pay it forward' is the term used, and these extra meals will be used to feed someone who needs it. You can also buy food vouchers that can be given to a homeless person on the streets. 

The profits from this cafe go to further the Lifewise philosophy of reintegrating it's clients into society. 

This is a very worthwhle interprise in Auckland and I felt privaleged to be able to help out by paying forward a bit. I intend to continue to visit Merge whenever I can.   -djf