Monthly Archive for August, 2008

August 2008 – Fa’amatuainu Wayne Poutoa

Published by Wayne Poutoa on August 19, 2008 in Diary Updates. 0 Comments
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Talofa Everyone,

August can be described as the calm before the storm in respect to planning another 237 programme scheduled for October. I have had to answer heaps of queries from all over the nation since Involve 08 Relate and other presentations that have been done in the last two months.

The most common comment from other providers especially in South Auckland is not if but when are we going to go National with the programme. That is a good question as we begin to fine tune the programme and community input.

This year has gone so fast but its been an awesome ride. The programme has also received recognition in playing a part to see that Porirua is accredited with the World Health Organisation status as a safer city.

I was fortunate to be in Auckland speaking on behalf of WoD at the Prime Ministers Social Heroes Awards to which WoD were winners. It was great to catch up with Annalise, Nicole, Veronica, Annette and others at this ceremony congrats to WoD for winning.

I also returned to Auckland the following week to present to senior leadership of Vodafone at the Orakei Marae. That was really funny as I have never spoken to so many White people in my life lol…

It was great time and I learnt a lot from that experience, I often reflect on these sorts of times as we all do and just burst out laughing but inspired at the same time. Frank once told me of a situation where he was meeting the Queen and managed to glance over and see Eric Rush smiling. When Frank asked him why he was smiling Eric explained that it was great to see how far they had come in life.

That in itself is similar to how I view the progress our community and young people have made as a direct result of being a part of 237. In closing I wish you all well and keep going you are all remarkable people all the best from Waitangirua in Porirua.

August 2008 – Veronica Marwitz

Published by Veronica Marwitz on August 19, 2008 in Diary Updates. 0 Comments
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This month has been fantastic albeit ultra busy! As an organistion we are getting a clear picture of what our work plan will be for the next two years and I am very excited about the role I am playing within that. RPE has really put their support behind moving towards doing prevention education that fits with the evidence I have gathered during my work this year and is taking a dynamic and innovative approach.

Off course this does still hinge on the F word (funding!) but we have had indications of interest from a number of camps- fingers crossed. I am still working on funding applications – some of which are very long and complex! But writing is one of my favourite things to do and definitely one of my strengths- I find it very satisfying. As well as funding applications I have also done a few submissions around various topics and responded to some opinion peices around pornography and its interplay with sexual violence. I have certainly been learning a lot this month too with all of this writing requiring me to do a lot of reading. Every day is a school day!

I have a pretty big vision of what I want our new youth programme to be and what I want it to achieve- I feel like it will have a really positive impact if we can fufill that vision. I feel very privileged to be in an organistaion and in a position where a vision I have of social change is getting the attempt to be achieved!

August 2008 – Swanie Nelson

Published by Swanie Nelson on August 19, 2008 in Diary Updates. 0 Comments
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August has been a really good month. We’ve been able to progress with a lot of the inhouse planning that board and I had planned to do last month. I’ve been busily trying to get funding secured for next years programs let alone my salary J and fine tuning programs as well as progressing cementing policies and procedures and our new strategic plan. One of the exciting things that have come out of this month is that we are giving the youth leadership committee the opportunity to take more leadership over the next holiday program. This means we set them a budget and they can then get together to decide, Location of the next program, what they would like to do different this time around, and even the possibility of employing either one or two of the oldest youth to fufill important roles during the duration of the program all under the supervision of a supporting adult. This means they have the opportunity to make more important decisions and learn how to budget as well as plan and deliver a holiday program. They have been given till Sept to put a proposal together that they will present to the Board and I stating what they would like to do for the next holiday program and what their budget will look like.

Meanwhile I will be continuing to make sure that we are all set and ready for next year and that we will be able to implement the exciting new changes we have in store for next year.

I’m also looking forward to working in collaboration with my WoD collegue Wayne. Hopefully in the next coming month we’ll be getting together to see how we can work collaboratively with our programs. I’m certainly looking forward to that and learning from him.

Also Congratulations to the Vodafone Foundation for taking top honours at the Prime Minister’s Social Heroes Awards!!! They truly deserved it!

August 2008 – Billy Graham

Published by Billy Graham on August 12, 2008 in Diary Updates. Closed
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There are always newcomers at the academy. Whilst some drop off when a need has been met or because they’re not disciplined enough to stay, or they just decide it’s not for them. It’s a revolving door here. We’ve noticed an increase in cultural diversity. We’re getting a number of young people from different parts of Africa. They are spirited, smiling-faced youth who think they’re bullet-proof, and are well received by the others.

Some parents bring their at-risk kids here and when they first arrive they expect to be turned away so they’re very enthusiastic and nice. You might have a big strong youth that’s been under medication and has had real issues so the parents have brought him down. When they’re not turned away (most of the time this is the case) you never see the parents again – out of sight out of mind.

We know the kids have progressed because they’re no longer an issue. Their attitudes towards one another are what we want to change, and all of a sudden they’re not demanding your time and having issues. It’s an indication we’re getting to them and making them stand up on their own two feet, not wiping their noses all the time. It is a place where boys grow into young men.

There are a hard core group of young men who have really stepped up and are now starting to look like athletes. The younger boys are stepping up to spar with the older boys and they’re being looked after. There is a bond there which is great to see.

My oldest son has just bought the house next door with his wife and children; he is one of my coaches and a counsellor, and my youngest son whose training at the academy is very quickly stepping up to the mark. The boys younger than him are coming up to his standard and it’s good to have pupils teaching pupils.

We participated in the Wellington Boxing Championships this month and won two Wellington titles, and the most scientific boxer went to one of our boys Jared Westrupp. They boxed brilliantly.

We’ve had a lot of television coverage (which we forgot to mention in July’s report!) regarding Dyslexia and what we’re doing with problem children. Parents and children that were interviewed testified on camera that what we’re doing is changing lives. The North South magazine is doing an editorial on us shortly, and Rob Harley is also proposing to do something on our academy.

Every week we’ve been invited by police, council, CYFS, Rotary, community groups etc. to Naenae youth related meetings, because we’re recognised as a group that are making a world of difference!

We continue to have zero graffiti growth at Naenae. Resenes are so enthusiastic at the apparent attitude change in the community that we have some companies behind us, including Resenes, to paint the entire Naenae shopping centre in November; we’re calling it “Makeover Naenae style in a weekend”!

August 2008 Annalise Myers

Published by Annalise Myers on August 11, 2008 in Diary Updates. 0 Comments
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Money, Money, Money – I know we would like to think that our work could happen based on lots of good-will and hard work alone, but the reality is without the generosity of our funders our Teen Parent Project would not exist. Big ups to all our funders for your generous contributions this year and a special awhi to Vodafone for winning the Robin Hood Award recently, for their investment and commitment towards young people at risk. This kind of commitment enables us (agencies and funders) to collectively make a difference in young people lives.

Securing enough ‘bling’ to make it all happen in 2009 and beyond

In August I nailed down the hatches (which meant saying no too a lot of great opportunities) to dedicate my time to funding applications. I’m really hopefully to attract funding to continue all our programmes in 2009, my project leader role and for us to start scoping a new Teen Parent Centre next year. I’ve been busy submitting expressions of interests and funding applications and now we’re eagerly waiting.

What’s interesting about writing funding applications is it’s a bit like a double-edged sword. I’ve really enjoyed designing the project initiatives, describing to the funders how we are going to involve teen parents and facilitate positive outcomes for them and their children. Saying that, it’s hard attracting funding which will cover the true cost of delivering our project; I’ve got a lot better at developing budgets, working to deadlines and dealing with the anxiety which comes with waiting for a reply.

Having time to do this work is invaluable to the AWC and our Teen Parent Project. So far we have had good news from some new charities we have approached. We’ve been invited to submit full proposals after our initial expression of interest, (which is awesome, exciting, nerve-racking, confidence boosting and what youth development dreams are made of) so the journey to achieving new funding continues – and any donations welcome.

What’s fascinating is that at the start of this year I wrote down everything I wanting to achieve in my Vodafone year for the Women’s Centre (even something’s that seemed impossible) so far most of those goals have come to fruition and these funding applications are definitely a large piece of the puzzle.

I’m off to the UK on a study tour in September; hopefully to share our work with others and look at different ways to engage teen parents (including mums, dads and babies) and programmes which facilitate positive outcomes for teen parents and their children.

I’ll let you know all about next month, enjoy spring.

August 2008 – Frank Bunce

Published by Frank Bunce on August 10, 2008 in Diary Updates. 0 Comments
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A funny old month was August – where I didn’t feel like much was happening but there was never enough time to do everything!

I had a couple of days in Brisbane to begin with where I was involved in a fundraising night for a guy who’d lost his young daughter – very sad and sobering but a great and successful event and it showed very much that the desire to help is alive and well in Oz.

I attended and spoke at another fundraising event in Maraetai to benefit some of their young locals – another very worthwhile night and what a great community response to their own needs.

Next was something of a highlight for me, through Judge Andrew Becroft I was able to sit with Judge Ida Malosi for an hour before going into and spending half a day in the Manukau Youth Court.

What a wonderful and committed woman she is and with very firm ideas on some of our youth problems – and not to be messed with in court!

What strikes you immediately in court is the lack of male support for the offenders, why is it always mother and son??

I also had opportunity to speak at James Cook High School in Manurewa – High School of the esteemed leader of Vodafone, Russell Stanners.

You’re remembered fondly Russell, they couldn’t/wouldn’t give me even the tiniest bit of gossip!
As with all the schools I’ve visited the talent on display was outstanding and reinforced just what we have on our doorstep, the raw material here is second to none, we need to keep working it.

Speaking of Russell Stanners, we were teamed up as buddies, another new initiative by Annette and the team. I think it’s a great idea and has helped me look at things differently and look at where I’m going a little differently as well.

I’m meeting so many people that want to help – I thought I was disadvantaged by not having one thing that I concentrate on but I believe now that it’s been an advantage.

Take care…

August 2008 – Louise Roebuck

Published by Louise Roebuck on August 9, 2008 in Diary Updates. 0 Comments
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WAVES continues to Rock!!!  Mid winter now and we have had rain after rain. This keeps the recreational space full at WAVES!! We have had nursing student placements as well as a social work student so has been great with extra hands on deck. We are starting to have planned sessions in the rec space where young people sit around and discuss matters important to them.

We are working towards our gaol of becoming long term and sustainable. The TSB community trust have carried out a scoping report to look at all our operations and see where we need to improve or tell us what we are doing well at. This is being prepared for our trust board who will look at implementing these changes so we can grow in strength.
We have been approached by an oil company who read about WAVES in the local newspaper so here’s hoping we can get some financial assistance from them as well.
I am also now doing clinics in Waiara High school, New Plymouth Girl’s High and another alternative education site. This is improving access for these young people and stops them having to get out of school.
This month also sees WAVES start a sexual diversity support group. The first evening we had 9 youth attend so we hope this will continue and expand to support families as well.
WaVES is also working with the council and MSD to look at housing for young people. This is a continuing issue and we still see many young people on the streets or just couch hopping.
Our youth development team are also supporting T7 Trust which is trying to get Taranaki TV back on air. This will be great to promote positive youth development in Taranaki.

August 2008 – Nicole Robertson

Published by Nicole Robertson on August 9, 2008 in Diary Updates. 0 Comments
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I am up to my eyebrows in work at the moment, running the weekly group, weekly meetings with each of the girls and fortnightly meetings with their families. The young women participating in the group have the added benefit of registering in the Henderson ,Youth Transition Service which means they can access practical assistance to prepare for job interviews, help to find employment and enrol in courses or if needed accommodation. I have noticed significant progress in the girls who are receiving this intensive multimodal intervention as distinct from the young woman who are receiving only individual therapy. The young woman who are engaged in the total “It’s my life programme” have previously been involved in mental health services, have an abuse history and have experienced problems remaining at school.

On entering the programme these young women consistently report that they experience low self confidence in their ability to achieve academically, retain trusting friendships and have low expectations for their future. Two of the participants have reported a renewed sense of hope; they have begun to participate in their lives once by more finding jobs and registering for courses. All the young women report positive changes in their interpersonal relationships with their family and friends which is an important factor in the development of individual resilience and the sustainability of the skills gained through the programme.
The young women and their families participating in the programme come from diverse cultural backgrounds which include Maori, Niuen, Indian, Samoan and European. I am enjoying working with the parents, the family therapy component enables the parents to learn the skills taught to their daughters and address the ongoing patterns of interactions or communication in the family that leads to misunderstandings and distance between family members. Families that have experienced abuse are very often hyper vigilant to the experience of pain. Pain caused by rejection, anger, disappointment, shame and fear. Parents of adolescents frequently experience such pain as part of the developmental changes that occur in a growing family. The programme assists families to recognise and acknowledge the pain and develop skills that strengthen the family relationships in order to deal with the difficult situations that may arise.

My work has taken an unexpected turn, the girls participating in the programme have suggested that we develop an interactive CD Rom, so that they are able to develop their problem solving skills at the times when they most need to, in the middle of the night when they are alone, distressed and are having great difficulty challenging their thoughts. Most of the young women I work with have access to a computer, although not always the internet and so I am currently meeting with game developers and hoping to work out a way to make this happen.

August 2008 – Shirley Allan

Published by Shirley Allan on August 8, 2008 in Diary Updates. 0 Comments
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Greetings whanau!! This month has been mainly about Smokefree Pacifica Beats with the national final looming in just a couple of weeks, though you may be pleased to hear that I’ve had time to get the new YPT branding project started, managed to finally wrap up the GI RAW project as well as complete all of the youth and community workshops for the Eastside Youth Map :O) Yaaay!!

The new branding for YPT is something I’m really excited about so I’ll start with that ;) We’re stoked this year to have developed a relationship with The Church; an Akld based graphic design company that has looked after our SPB08 stuff as well as some of our local projects.

With this in our minds it made a lot of sense to approach them to help with a new ‘look’ for the trust and we’ve not been disappointed with some awesome first concepts. We’re hoping it will all tie in with our Vodafone Hands Up website project – rock on Stephen – and are sooooooo looking forward to getting it all up and running by the end of the year JJ

Okay, GI up next I reckon… RAW is all finished and the final report was well received. The Auckland City Arts team are very interested to develop this group of young people further in the new year – somewhere in the beginning of term most likely – and it’s my feeling we’ll be sitting at the table alongside them. A fantastic outcome and I’ve got my fingers crossed that the Eastside Map project does as well!!

So far so good on that one though I will confess to it taking a FRUSTRATINGLY long time, much longer than I had initially anticipated and to be honest not all of it was beyond my control. Aaaarrggh!! Lol, however, frustrations aside, the workshops are finally complete, the first chunk of the design money has been approved and that means I can start looking forward to the resource launch, yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay!!

Right, that just leaves SPB!!! To be fair, it’s business as usual on this one except we’re sooooooo much better at it this third time around… the main concern as always is the final budget, this one runs very close to the line and we’re not always sure if we’ll make it… anyone know any patrons of the arts?? Next month will be a bit more informative… we’ll have winners and pictures and things by then ;) Please stay tuned…

Okay then, last up is a quick look at our planning; we had a meeting with John again this month and ran a couple of workshops ourselves to help define the exact logistics of the SPB project. Hopefully we’ll have time to get this past John next month so we can start to focus on the future direction… budgets will be next and then omg… I’ll probably need a lie down and a cup of tea before then ;)

Take care guys, talk more next month xx