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Guest Speaker at our meeting on 29 April was Andrea Page, director of the Salvation Army's Epsom Lodge which is located in Margot Street, Epsom, Auckland
Alan Hayward introduced Andrea, highlighting her educational background and experience in various social and community leadership roles.
Andrea, shares her background, including her appointment as the first non-Salvation Army officer to head Epsom Lodge.
Andrea took us through the history of Epsom Lodge, starting in 1884 with George Pollard and its evolution over the years.
She noted that the lodge initially served as a prison gate ministry, helping men reintegrate into society, and later expanded to include employment opportunities and counseling programs.
Andrea summarised the lodges Current Operations and Support Programs, including its contract with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development to provide transitional housing.
The lodge has 84 beds, with 70 currently available due to renovations, and supports residents for an average of one year.
Andrea noted that her masters thesis focused on reintegration from prison, emphasizing the need for at least a year of supportive accommodation.
The lodge has robust assessment criteria and restrictions, such as not accepting residents with arson or sexual offenses, to ensure a safe environment for those who it hosts. There are a number of types of residents at the lodge includingthose from prison, awaiting sentencing, and those with low-level mental health issues. The lodge offers various programs, including somefunded by the alcohol and drug courts, which have shown success in reducing recidivism.
Andrea shared a success story of a resident who improved significantly through the lodge's support and is now studying mental health nursing. The lodge also has peer support programs where ex-residents give back to the community by working in mental health and addiction support agencies.
Andrea noted that there are challenges in the management of 84 residents and the importance of intensive support to prevent altercations. We were told that the lodge is currently undergoing a significant renovation project, with plans to complete the project by mid-June. The renovation will impact the rotary breakfasts, but the lodge is working on solutions to minimize disruption. Andrea's address was well received and generated a number of questions from those present. |
