Monthly Archive for May, 2009

Wow, winter is certainly upon us now.  Even for a hardy Wellingtonian, the wind over the past few weeks has been impressive!    

We are now well into Term 2 and our school and various programmes are almost full to capacity.  Each week however, we continue to receive a number of referrals for our various services.  This is a constant reminder of the level of need that exists within our community, and as a result we are always seeking creative ways to assist young people and their families to access the support they need.  

This month, as part of my role I have started a review of our current mentoring service.  I have spoken with a few mentoring service providers, and I will be looking at how we can develop our service to fit with the other services provided in Wellington.  I certainly have a lot to learn from those who have gone before me (both at Challenge and in other agencies), so it will be interesting to see how things progress in the next few months.  

During our April staff training, several former staff and clients of Challenge 2000 visited and shared some of their experiences.  It was such a privilege to hear their stories, and to be challenged to continue the amazing work that has been taking place at Challenge for the past 21 years.  It was also a timely reminder to many of the staff, that the work we are doing does make a difference!    

The WOD Hui at the end of April, was a great way to get fired up and enthusiastic again.  It was an amazing two days of networking, information sharing, group activities and a whole lot of laughs! It is so good to know some of the incredible people and the amazing programmes taking place in the youth sector in New Zealand. The challenge now is to stay in touch with the rest of the crew for encouragement and support.  

Next week (23-31 May) is Youth Week.  Fam You Fest, Challenge 2000’s official Youth Week event, will be taking place on Sunday 31 May.  In addition to this, we will be looking for unique ways to celebrate our young people through our various programmes taking place during the week.   

Until next time, take care out there  

Bridget

Despite the temperatures cooling down the WOD year is hotting up in Nelson.

The last month has been spent doing further planning for the year ahead and ensuring we have wider community buy in for our WOD objectives. The first meeting of the project advisory group was held and the wider community showed great support for the objectives HYPE-GS hopes to achieve via the WOD year. As Nelson/Tasman is a relatively small region it is important to share resources and work in partnership. At this meeting pledges were made to work with and support HYPE-GS in achieving the objectives for better outcomes for young people. Thanks to those individuals and organisations (Health Action, Volunteer Nelson, YMCA, The New Hub, Public Health, DHB, N/T Youth Workers Collective, Nelson City and Tasman District Council) that sent representatives.

I have been further disseminating and presenting the Tasman Youth Consultation report and DVD and gaining commitment from the local council to address the issues that came out of the consultation. The Tasman youth counsellors and I have been preparing to present the report to the Mayor and counsellors next week….Yikes!!!

I have finally had time to develop promotional material (DVD and power point presentation) from the CHOICES Safer Partying project and as I type one of the youth actors and a representative from a partner organisation are presenting this material at the national ALAC conference in Wellington. Thanks you guys!

Today I get to break out of the office and do some “vox pops” with young people in preparation for a radio show on air during youth week. Today we will be asking young people what they like about living in this region and also getting them to give feedback on HYPE-GS services. Thanks to Katie, Daniel and Jasmine for volunteering to carrying out this project and letting me tag along to get my young people fix

Finally big thanks to Annette, the speakers, supporters and the other WOD recipients for an awesome time sharing practice, research, knowledge and fun times at Long Bay this month. It was an inspirational 2 days that I enjoyed immensely and a great reminder how lucky I am to be funded by the Vodafone Foundation to do what I love. Thanks Vodafone!

Catch you next month,

Sally X

wow wee! I can’t believe I’m already writing my third diary entry, I know I say it every time but this year is truly flying which is fantastic, as it means we’re busy truly contributing to a world of difference.

Since starting my World of Difference year in February I have had 12 applications for youth looking for mentors. The range of applications is diverse and this provides the exciting challenge of linking them with the most appropriate mentors. I’m currently looking for mentors that have the means to turbo charge menortees prospects in; Table Tennis, animal welfare, psychology, radio, sales, marketing,  and swimming - one mentoree is looking to be linked with someone who can support and encourage a campaign which will result in an impressive ocean swim. If you are interested in mentoring either of the above applicants or have a link to someone who may, please contact cam@yesability.org.nz

In April we were able to link one of our mentorees with Vodafone staff member, Jitendra. Jitendra and his team are mentoring Jess McKenzie who aspires towards having his own company specializing in web design and computer maintenance. Over the next year this is going to be an exciting match to watch as they share experiences to reach goals. We wish jess, Jitendra and the rest team the very best.

With a foccus on matching new peers, it was great to take some time to show our appreciation toward last year’s mentors (pictured), through sending them a certificate in thanks of their support in Carabiner and the lives of the youth who they influenced. We thank Mark Habgood, Tony Monterio, Pip Cheshire, Bill Francis, and Krystal Stuart for been foundation mentors in Carabiner and being the first to believe in the contribution that Carabiner can make to society.

Carabiner aims to bring many of the main objectives of the New Zealand Disability strategy to fruition; inclusion, rights, opportunities, leadership… It was therefore very special to be involved in the writing / design of the North Shore disability strategy which localizes many of these objectives, making them relevant to the whole of society. As a two year project it was great to be at the launch of this strategy which creates a city that values people of all abilities.

Ending April with the world of Difference Hui was choice. This gave us (present and past World of Difference recipients) as well as the grant recipients the opportunity to create and inspiring environment which acknowledged the changing times and the opportunity we now all have for innovation and collaboration.

It is 6:30 on a Sunday night, a perfect time to be finishing work, for it is just in time for the sport news.