Business is booming (sadly)

Who could have anticipated all we have experienced over the past few months. And we are only now beginning to imagine what the future shape of our community will look like. What we do know for certain is that things will never return to what was.

There have been some big changes, many of which are still unfolding, and it is difficult to grapple with the enormity of what lies ahead, we simply cannot predetermine the full impact.

And we’re not immune, change has been experienced first-hand at the City Mission too. From increased demand across our services, to reimagining and reshaping all we have undertaken previously to ensure we remain fit for purpose and support our community in the best possible way and to foster the most significant outcomes.

Perhaps it’s worth imagining you’re sitting around the table sharing a meal with a group of friends and in conversation someone says, ‘business is booming’. There would be high-fives and celebratory comments all-round as you recount exactly what created such a success and what would be the next step to replicate that success, to share it and how to grow even more.

However, what if that “booming business” reflected something other than a success? What if that boom was rising need, and increased levels of vulnerability and poverty across our community? There is a boom impacting our community, however it is not one any of us wish to celebrate.

But, this is why we are here. We are here to hold hope for those in our community who feel they have none. To meet the need as it arises and to provide a solution to build our people, to create a pathway forward and to journey with them as they lean into their new future.

We will always continue to respond to the immediate need. We must, however, alongside that make sure our determination and focus remains on developing and providing long term and sustainable solutions. We have a sincere desire to turn those times when people face, potentially some of their biggest hurdles, into a space that provides them with an opportunity that will help form and support their future.

So while business is booming for us, and we do not wish to celebrate that, we certainly will celebrate the dynamic response that is supporting, growing and nourishing so many from within our community.