Two NZ Councillors Donate Pay Raises to Homeless Shelter

When Stella Lennox and Andrea Jackson learned they'd be getting a pay raise, they immediately knew where the money should go.

The two Masterton councillors sit on the board of Kim's Way Night Refuge, a shelter that provides beds, meals, and safety for 13 homeless guests each night. Without hesitation, both women pledged their entire 1.7% pay increase to keep the refuge running through New Zealand's harsh winter months.

"At the end of the day, it's the ratepayers who fund our roles, so I don't think we should ever take that for granted," Lennox said. "This is my opportunity to give back to a project our community has supported so well."

The timing couldn't be better. Kim's Way costs about $15,000 monthly to operate, and winter is their most critical season.

Jackson, who chairs the shelter's board, called the decision natural. "When you're in a position to give and you know the need is there, it was just a natural decision," she said.

The shelter does more than provide a warm bed. In the past year, Kim's Way has served 7,280 nutritious meals and helped 15 guests transition into permanent housing or reconnect with family.

The Ripple Effect

Refuge manager Joe Stewart wants more people to understand who they're helping. "Come and meet our people. They're just like you and I and are really lovely people," he said.

Board member Hayden Mischefski noted how easy it is to overlook homelessness in the community. "We've all been through some hard times in the past several years. A lot of people are struggling and they can end up in these situations," he explained.

The shelter partners with local health services, community law groups, and police to provide wraparound support. It's not just about a roof overhead but building pathways back to stability.

The councillors' $1,000 donations each will cover a combined 50 guest nights at $40 per night. The shelter's current fundraising campaign aims to raise $60,000 to cover operational costs through winter.

Anyone can sponsor one bed for a night at $40 or fund all 13 beds for one evening. The shelter also needs overnight volunteers who will receive full training and support.

Lennox and Jackson hope their pledge inspires others in public service to look for ways to give back, proving that small acts of leadership can create warm, safe spaces when people need them most.