THE LATEST NEWS 2008
The Lowdown at Admin
Admin is a busy productive place to be as we approach Christmas! Reciepts need to be coded, funding applications need to be sent off, flyers need to be created, transiton days need to be planned, senior staff meetings need to be minuted - the list goes on!
With Dana, Kev, Hannah and Kitty spending most days there (plus with a hard working student who is heading back to mainstream school next year!) there are lots of us around.
We enjoy visitors popping in - (usually our wonderful youth workers or social workers looking for the petrol card) - but also old clients or old staff members who come and say hello!
Every day at Admin we have a candle lit - for whatever, or whoever might need it that day. Its our way of saying "we are thinking of others even during a busy work day"!
Youth and Family Centre
All sorts of things have been happening at the Youth and Family Centre in 2008! Youth Programmes, Individual Programmes, community service, meetings, refereals, missions, visitors, gardening, barbeques, case notes, families visiting and of course our wonderful staff and young people hard at work!
Marie Fairfeild and Jude McGinley usually supervise the house - which is a busy hub of activity! They do really well at keeping track of where everyone is, what appointments and meetings are going on and much more!
Recently we had the unveiling of our wonderful carving - with new names of staff carved into it. It was a special gathering at the house with lots of Challenge whanau and friends present.
Christmas decorations are being put up at the house this week!
GAP year Challenge style
You will see from the home page of this website that Challenge 2000 are running a Gap Year programme next year for students wanting to take a break between school and uni. This is an exciting initiative!
Luke Collins did his Gap Year with Challenge over the past while. We miss him being around now! Here are his thoughts on the Gap Year - and his encouragement to other young people interested.
My gap year here has been like leaping into the deep end and now I'm finding myself swimming comfortably!
I've gained a sense of belonging over the time I've been here. Belonging in a number of ways; friendships, mentors, opportunities to see things like young people gaining confidence, opportunities to lead programmes and serve. I've also gained intangible things; spiritually feeling whole, personally- knowing more about strengths and weaknesses, organising, confidence in what I'm doing and what I stand for, a knowledge that this 'help-business' is what I see myself in the future. The best, most significant thing I've gained is understanding – eye opening insight -an ability to look past the ordinary. Challenge has pushed me to reflect on how to achieve my dreams -dreams which are wider! You guys out there, do your Gap here!
Luke Collins
Challenge College [Alternative Education]
2008 has been a positive and successful year for the students and staff at the College. 15 young people attended Challenge College this year -most of them have faced significant life challenges. It is often hard to believe that such poverty, despair, violence and hopelessness exists in Aotearoa New Zealand. We have attempted to work with the students to create a positive, safe, compassionate, learning environment where achievement is possible, previous learning and life obstacles can be overcome and the young people can celebrate their gifts and many strengths. It is amazing how quickly change can occur when the conditions are right.
This year has also witnessed many of our students excelling in their correspondence subjects. The smiles were huge and lead to a deluge of sets being completed and handed in for marking. Challenge College succeeds because of the professional and caring holistic wrap around service which shows in a practical way that we are committed to the young person and to their family for as long as they require our intervention. The passion and commitment of our young staff who are excellent role models and who consistently go that extra mile for the struggling student is also an integral part of the recipe that allows our students to believe in themselves and become who they are capable of becoming.
The Major Challenge
The major challenge to the ongoing existence of the College is finance. We simply do not have enough money to provide the service without additional assistance from either government or benefactors. Ministry of Education policies are such that the College is funded per student in school term time only. This funding does not cover our costs as the young people need intensive assistance. It also means that our four teaching staff salaries are not covered during holiday time. For twelve weeks of the year Challenge 2000 has to raise the salaries of the College staff.The College is therefore a huge drain on our resources. If you can assist please do so.
Christmas Appeal
This December and January we will be supporting thirty young people who live on the poverty line, struggle to have a positive connection with their biological family, suffer from personal difficulties, will have no plans where to spend Christmas dinner or New Year and only receive presents or recognition of how well they have done from our staff.
We need money and/or gift vouchers to include them in a New Zealand Christmas. Many people generously donate food hampers and children’s presents and we are very grateful for this. We also really need a way of including these young people in our celebrations. Perhaps you, your family or business could sponsor one of them?
This year has also been a very difficult one for us financially. The most difficult thing has been the decision of some Trusts to no longer provide grants towards salary payments. We urgently need funding to pay our staff so any donation, large or small, will be greatly appreciated.
“You must be the change you wish to see in the world.” Mahatma Gandhi.
Thank You
Grateful thanks again to our many supporters who set up AP’s and regularly send us money, and thanks again to all our major contributors. Also for those who volunteer their time; food; shelter; items for garage sales/new homes/our offices!! Your support and generosity are very much appreciated.
Kitty & The Challenge Whanau
Suggestions/Feedback
If you have any suggestions or feedback that you wish to share with us, please feel free to contact us by mail/phone or email (it would be good to have your email address so we could let you know about one-off special occasions).
"Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all." Dale Carnegie
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