First and foremost, our thoughts are with those who have been affected, their families, and all those who are part of our Christchurch community. To our Muslim whānau, you are loved, and we stand with you.
It is in times like this that we need our community most. That is why we have set up a dedicated line to support those in Christchurch, and connect volunteers who are looking for a way to help during these very dark times. We have created a community group on facebook called Collaborate for Christchurch.
We are committed to being here in the days and weeks and months to come. Our role is to keep you in the loop with where organisations have asked for help, not to decide what is needed. We're taking our lead from the victims and their families and will keep updating you on what they have asked for.
We are also collecting a list of who can help and with what, so that we can pass this on to the Christchurch Victims Organising Committee and other community organisations who are supporting our Muslim brothers and sisters, and our Christchurch whānau at this time.
Ka nui te mamae. Ka nui te aroha.
For urgent and the most up-to-date requests for volunteers please see our facebook group.
Things you can do today:
NZ Gifts of Love and Strength
Give goods and vouchers for care packages to Christchurch Gifts of Love and Strength for Affected Families of the Shooting
Healing hearts for Christchurch
Quilt or crochet for the Angels in Gumboots who are making Healing Hearts Quilts.
Listen to and uplift Muslim voices
Donate
Here are some ways you can donate if you have the means:
Al Manar trust emergency appeal
This is to offer a simple help from the community around New Zealand to support the affected families.
http://almanar.co.nz/christchurch-tragedy/Christchurch Resettlement Services
Your support today will enable CRS to keep a team of highly skilled and dedicated staff out in the community, helping more people reach their potential and ensuring Christchurch is a strong, diverse and welcoming place.
http://crs.org.nz/donate…Givealittle
Victim Support will use all donations received to this page to provide support and resources for people affected by the Christchurch shootings and their family members.
https://givealittle.co.nz/…/christchurch-shooting-victims-f…
Report Hate Speech
Go onto the comments sections of news articles and report hate speech where you see it.
Share your experiences of racism
If you are Muslim or a person of colour who would like to share your experiences of racism in Aotearoa, email thetwentiesclub@gmail.com
Volunteer
Volunteer for organisations that foster connection within our wider community. Check out the Collaborate app to find longer term ways to give back to your community. We’ve got several pertinent opportunities on there relating to mental health, mentoring and refugee and migrant support.
Let us know how Collaborate can help you
If you are, or know of, a local group seeking volunteers or support, please use this contact form, email us at christchurch@letscollaborate.co.nz or send us a message through facebook.
Collaborate is committed to supporting our community through this incredibly difficult time.
We are incredibly moved by the outpouring of love and compassion we’ve seen from communities across New Zealand as a response to this act of violence.
First and foremost, we have a commitment to following the lead of the Muslim community and those affected. This list is community-sourced and is in no way meant to be an official, endorsed or exhaustive record of all the things going on across New Zealand.
We encourage the sharing and collaborative efforts of many community groups in coming together on this. If you have any feedback or concerns, please contact christchurch@letscollaborate.co.nz.
We encourage all of our volunteers to continue to follow the news from the New Zealand police for official developments regarding Friday’s shooting, as Collaborate is not an official news source for information.
If you need need to talk to someone:
Free call or text 1737 any time to speak to a trained counsellor, for any reason.
Lifeline: 0800 543 354 or text HELP to 4357
Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0508 828 865 / 0508 TAUTOKO (24/7). This is a service for people who may be thinking about suicide, or those who are concerned about family or friends.
Depression Helpline: 0800 111 757 (24/7) or text 4202
Samaritans: 0800 726 666 (24/7)
Youthline: 0800 376 633 (24/7) or free text 234 (8am-12am), or email talk@youthline.co.nz