Commitment that spans decades
Carlie’s belief in our work remains as strong as ever.
Most Thursday mornings you’ll find a tall, friendly 91-year-old woman with a gentle American accent hanging clothes on the racks of our inner-city Op Shop in Barbadoes Street.
This is Carlie Jones and exactly when she began volunteering at the City Mission is lost in the mists of time. She can’t remember, but it must be well over 40 years.
But there is far more to our relationship with Carlie than Op Shops. She ranks as one of our longest serving and most committed supporters. Over the years she has served on our former governing body, served on the foundation board that looks after our bequests, and she is a longstanding regular financial donor.
Walter and Carlie Jones came here from the United States in 1974 and Walter taught at University of Canterbury. She joined the St Augustine’s Parish in Cashmere and found a number of church members were volunteering at the Mission, including cooking meals for the night shelter. She chose to volunteer at the Op Shop.
Across all her roles, Carlie has seen the Mission change, grow and evolve over the years. “As time went on, the Mission kept adding to the list of stuff being done for people, and they all seemed important. And you kind of wonder if they were spreading themselves too thin, but they seem to cope quite well.”
After 40-plus years of seeing, doing and believing in the Mission’s work, she remains deeply committed.
“I think the city is so much better off with a City Mission. I think it’s got a really high profile and a lot of people support it. I remember when I was on a fundraising committee, we were scratching to find more money, I invited some of my neighbours … and they all supported the Mission, they all recognised the Mission was something worth donating money to and that the money was well spent. It wasn’t all going toward management, it was going towards the people who needed it.”
“I have seen clients and seen
how badly they need help. Seeing it
really imprints on you.”
She has helped clients get clothes with vouchers they bring to the Op Shop. “I have seen clients and seen how badly they need help. Seeing it really imprints on you.” Sometimes they tell her their story and the trials they are facing, and she listens quietly knowing this is another small way she can help.