Tena ra koutou te whanau!

There are new and exciting changes at the Youth and Family Centre (The House)  and it’s pleasing and encouraging to see the amount of positive, creative work our young and experienced staff provide to the young people, their families and the community. Every day about thirty people come in and out of our tiny whare and programmes are offered here most nights. The Amorangi Group meet on Wednesdays and Mondays and Youth Groups Tuesdays and Sundays. This is also the centre for mentoring,tutoring and whanau meetings so its busy….busy…busy.

The goals and planning for 2011 at Challenge 2000, reflect the needs of the community and the young people.  The current financial climate has had a huge effect on families, this is a trend that concerns us greatly as so many simply struggle to survive. Our vege garden and food bank is under pressure and for some our little kitchen is the only place they may have something to eat and drink – local support from  St Peter and Pauls Parish, Sr Cyprian and other members of the community makes a big difference to our mahi.

It is heartening to know that we, the community, are in this together, it’s not only Challenge 2000 that do the hard yards, but it is those community leaders and supporters who continue to assist where ever possible that help make our job a little bit easier.  He mihi, he mihi, he mihi ki a tatou katoa!