Sounds of hope from homeless
Homeless doesn’t mean hopeless.
It’s not often you hear of a group who’ve turned life around quite like Woven.
The Auckland based band is made up entirely of those who are currently homeless or have been homeless at one point in their life.
With the help of funding from a community grant, Woven has been able to create an environment that is safe and inclusive, with life-changing outcomes.
Applying for a grant
Each of Auckland’s local boards operate a grants programme for projects and initiatives that benefit local communities. Applications for many areas are open now or will open soon. Find out more here.
Banding together
With the aim to raise awareness and change perceptions of the homeless, the members of Woven live out their mission to bring the community together.
“As a band, we want to be role models for other homeless people and show the wider community that ‘homeless does not mean hopeless’,” says Cameron Webster, Chair of People of Auckland Community Trust, the organisation behind Woven.
“Our grant from Waitemata Local Board helped provide us with an experienced mentor, basic music equipment and the necessary technical support.”
Woven band members Awatea and David jamming together.
Woven has also become a supportive community with a sense of unity and friendship.
Various members have experienced positive life changes, showing the value of the group as more than just a band.
In the past six months alone, three members are no longer rough sleeping, one member has started studying audio engineering at MAINZ, another has gained employment, and one has completed a drug detox programme and can be reunited with his children, partner and parents after four years of sleeping rough.
Find out more
To find out how a local board community grant could help your organisation visit aucklandcouncil.govt.nz or call 09 301 0101.