Our Stories

Marie* and her husband had been married for 13 years when he left her. With seven kids ranging from 23 to 9 years old, she was devastated – and so were her children.

Bianca-May grew up in Auckland but barely knew her parents as she spent most of her childhood living with foster carers. The pattern continued when her daughter went into foster care – until she was referred to Merivale.

When John* saw red and beat up his 12-year old son, he knew it was time to make some changes. And fast.

Danielle graduated from Merivale in June 2018 and we shared her story last year. Now, a year later, she reports that life is looking up for her and her daughter Missy.

Like so many of the young women we work with, Viveka had a long history of drug abuse and family violence. When her children were uplifted by Oranga Tamariki, she knew it was time to get help.

Jess* was happily pregnant and looking forward to the birth of her baby, only to find that the baby had died. She had a prolonged miscarriage and says it was extremely traumatic. She began having suicidal thoughts and suffering panic attacks and nightmares and was recommended to Iosis by friends and family

After a lifetime of drug dependency and abuse, Dylan was at rock bottom. Then he took an Iosis parenting course. Then further courses. Now, for the first time in 18 years, he’s clean, ready to be a father and has turned his life around.

Shannon had what many might call a ‘privileged upbringing’, but an early pregnancy and an…