Doubtless Bay Christian Centre has operated an opportunity shop since 1987, then known as the ‘Good News Opportunity Shop’. In the early years, when much of the stock received was donated by Auckland Churches, 5% of the proceeds was given back to social services in Auckland and 10% was used to support need in our local Doubtless Bay community. The remainder was used to support the work at Doubtless Bay Christian Centre. Between 2012 and 2017, the Church employed a part-time Youth and Community Worker who ran the very popular ‘SHINE’ programme for girls in the local schools. A significant portion of the funds for salary and running costs for the programme (offered free to schools), was raised by Op Shop Encounter. With the Op Shop taking over more and more of our facility needed for children and youth work, we made the decision in 2017 to erect a stand-alone shop. The building was given to us by Kawakawa Primary School on the condition that it was entirely removed and the site reinstated. It was relocated to our site in three sections. That was in early February 2019. The building was almost completely gutted back to the exterior shell and rebuilt from and including the floor up. A small team of volunteers has worked steadily nearly every Saturday morning since then to remodel the building for its new purpose and to meet Council specifications. The proceeds from Op Shop Encounter enable Doubtless Bay Christian Centre (DBCC) to support many worthwhile projects that it would otherwise not be able to do. This includes, but is not limited to: •FOOD BANK – Over $12,000 spent on food parcels in 2023. •LIGHT PARTY – An annual highly popular Christian alternative to Halloween, well attended by local children and their families. •HOPE CLINIC – The Hope Clinic, which opened in March 2024, offers individuals / whanau support by providing various aspects of health advocacy and literacy. Our desire is to assist these clients in the pursuit of holistic health. There is no charge for these services. Currently the Hope Clinic employs a Faith Community Nurse and operates out of a room within the DBCC building. The Op Shop Encounter funds the operational costs of the Hope Clinic. However, a much more substantial dedicated space is currently being developed within the DBCC facility where the old Op Shop operated from. This development is being funded from Op Shop Encounter proceeds. Thank you for supporting this work by donating goods and shopping at Op Shop Encounter. To our team of wonderful volunteers, who work so hard to keep the shop open, we are very grateful to the time and commitment you freely give.