Jillene Yansen

Concerns about the growing number of homeless people in the Warkworth area has prompted a local woman to take action.

Jillene Yansen wants to set up a venue where the homeless, anybody going through a tough time, or even just seeking company can come and find support.

She anticipates people could come one day a week and enjoy a cooked meal, get a shower and perhaps charge up their mobile phone and wash their clothes if necessary.

Jillene says some who are struggling are shy about it, and users of the service would have the option of texting in their order for a meal, which they could take away with them if they preferred.

She says homelessness is more common than many people realise and she has spoken to a number of people sleeping rough on local beaches, down by the Mahurangi River, or wandering along roadsides.

Outside the area, she’s noticed hungry people hanging around food courts in shopping malls, waiting for people to finish their meals so they can jump in and devour any scraps.

Already the Mahurangi Presbyterian Church has offered a venue for the venture, unless a more appropriate one becomes available, and Jilliene has been promised donations of food from one local supermarket and is in the process of approaching others.

Jillene is retired, but formerly worked as a social worker for geriatrics. She says often when one partner dies, the other does not know how to cook and the service she proposes could be a godsend for them.

Jillene is looking for volunteers and supporters to help her get the project off the ground, including people to prepare food and musicians who could entertain while people eat.

As far as she is aware, there is no similar service in the Warkworth or Snells Beach area.

She has not got a name for the new service yet, but is toying with the idea of “Home from Home” or “Grandma’s Kitchen”.

To offer your support, email Jillene: jilleneyansen1954@gmail.com.