A hard working, highly regarded Christian social service agency, Christchurch City Mission is committed to providing care, advocacy and support for the disadvantaged in our community. The City Mission's clients are people who are at risk because of poverty, unemployment, poor housing, drugs, alcohol, violence, abuse and other severe difficulties. They come to us, at times of desperate need, for sound care, for shelter or even food and clothing.

What Does The City Mission Do?
The City Mission is here to help people provide for their families, improve their quality of life and grow in independence and self-sufficiency, we provide services and resources including:

• Walsh House Women's and Children's Drop-in Centre
• Budget advice
• Foodbank
• Weekend and after-hours emergency services
• Men's Night Shelter, Thorpe House
• Women's Drug and Alcohol Recovery
• Drug and alcohol social work services
• Free health clinic
• Court Chaplaincy
• Inner-city neighbourhood work
• Governor's Bay Vicarage Accommodation and Gardens Project
• Clothing & furniture opportunity shops
• Mt Grey Centre rehabilitation project for young people and their families in North Canterbury.

The City Mission Foundation

Trustees:    Sir Gil Simpson KNZM, QSM.

                      Mrs Margaret Hopkins

                      Mrs Carlisle Jones

                      Mr Nelson Kennedy CA (Retired)

                      The Hon. Justice William Young

Foundation Chaplain: The Very Reverend Michael Brown CNZM, OStJ, ED.

The Christchurch City Mission Foundation is a company of friends who have chosen to perpetuate their lifetime support of the Mission through an enduring legacy.

The Foundation is governed by a Board of Trustees responsible for the wise investment of the Foundation Fund. Capital is conserved while maximising income to be used for the work of the City Mission.

Honour In Their Lifetimes

To recognise, and honour, the Mission's benefactors, during their lifetimes, Foundation membership is open to those who have signified their intention to make a bequest. As this decision is often private and personal the list of members is never made public.

The Book of Benefactors

Members who have died are remembered in the Book of Benefactors, kept in the Mission Chapel, and their memory is celebrated in the continuing work of the City Mission.

We hope you will decide to become a member of this special group f people.

Why is Making a Will Important?
Your will is an opportunity for you to continue to make a difference in the lives of others - to acknowledge those you love, and to support causes that are close to your heart.

Making plans right now may seem unnecessary, but it takes pressure off you and your family. If you don't have a will, your estate may not be divided up in the way you intended, resulting in stress and expenses for family and friends. Because everyone's circumstances change with time, it's a good idea to review your will every now and again. (Changes are straightforward and easy to make.)

Remembering Christchurch City Mission in your will doesn't mean your family, or anyone else, misses out. We appreciate even the smallest gift - it all helps.

The ways in which you may choose to acknowledge the City Mission are varied. You can gift us the residue of your estate (what's leftover after family, friends and others are cared for), leave a specified sum of money, or nominate a specific gift such as shares, jewellery, property - whatever you think is appropriate.

What Do I Say In My Will?
A will can be as simple, or detailed as you wish, but it's important that its intention is clear. Although you can write your own will, it's strongly recommended that you get advice from either your solicitor or your Trust company. A suggested wording for a bequest to the City Mission would be:

“ I GIVE, free of all duties, to the Christchurch City Mission, Hereford Street, Christchurch, the sum of $ (or property, assets or a percentage of my estate as described) For the general purposes of the Christchurch City Mission (or a stipulated specific purpose) for which the receipt of the accountant or other authorised officer of the Christchurch City Mission should be a full and sufficient discharge to my trustees.”

Acknowledging Your Gift
The Christchurch City Mission's Book of Acknowledgment, (kept open in the City Mission Chapel), records all bequests received. (Some people choose to suggest suitable wording to record their gift, or even to give a gift in memory of a loved one.) We appreciate hearing of bequests, so that we can personally express our thanks.

If there is anything more you would like to know about the Christchurch City Mission and its work, or you would like to visit the Mission, or for any further information about making a bequest, please contact:

The Bequest Officer
Christchurch City Mission
P O Box 1032
Christchurch 8015
Phone (03) 365 0635

Email:

msbrown@paradise.net.nz