Stories from Crisis: Jake

“My name is Jake and I was the President of University of Auckland SVA in 2022 and 2023. I’ve been both a volunteer and organiser of several programs with great environmental and social aims, from beach cleanups to helping give out meals to those in need. I was involved in both the grocery delivery service and the vaccine rollout volunteer efforts through COVID.

In November 2022, at the SVA Clubs Conference, we examined SVA’s role in disaster cleanup in the past, and worked through scenarios of what could happen if a major disaster hit Auckland. The night the Auckland Anniversary flood started, while I was looking out at people kayaking down my street, I had already started to send texts and emails trying to pull together volunteers and work out what needed to be done - and when we’d be able to do it safely.

When we first put out the call for volunteers to register interest, the social media response was enormous - hundreds of people shared our posts, and we had people from all corners of the city asking us how we could help. The hard bit was having clear conversations with community groups, civil defence and council to determine where we could mobilise volunteers safely. Finally, we sent out the call to around 30 initial volunteers and we had more than 50 show up, to the Te Atatu Electorate office. Local community leaders briefed the volunteers, and we went door to door to talk to locals and see where help was needed.

As a charitable organisation who are constantly on the ground and meeting enormous needs in disasters, SVA knows how to do the absolute most with whatever resources we have. Every bit of equipment we have makes a huge difference - every bit of PPE can help keep someone safe, and everyone in SVA is on the ground making a difference. Donations not only keep us afloat but help our volunteers to thrive, be safe, and grow into community leaders and changemakers. Thank you so much to everyone who has donated, and everyone who continues to support SVA.”