Creating space to bring a family back together

The team at Monte Cecilia was happy to be able to help a single father take the first steps in bringing his family back together by working collaboratively with Oranga Tamariki.

Ben*, a single father of three children, had seen his eldest son removed from him by Oranga Tamariki to stay with the boy’s mother due to the overcrowded situation at the boarding house they were living in and the fact that the boy was becoming involved in gang-affiliated groups.

By working with Oranga Tamariki, Work & Income, and Monte Cecilia, Ben has been able to obtain a Monte Cecilia transitional house, providing his family with space to thrive and distance from the groups his son was becoming involved with.

Since moving into the Monte Cecilia property Ben has been engaging with his social worker to get his rating increased with the Kainga Ora housing register and has been attending the Financial Literacy course to help him manage his money.

It is his intention to work to improve his situation so that his son can return to his care.

*not his real name or photo