MASSiSS – Multi Agency Support Services in Secondary Schools
Challenge 2000 has social workers in Aotea, Bishop Viard, Mana, Porirua, Naenae and Taita Colleges. Our social workers work with secondary school students and their families providing support to achieve their goals. We provide a wide range of interventions to improve the achievement and well-being of the students.
This service is community oriented, whanau and community inclusive, culturally responsive and strengths based. Our social workers are committed to early intervention and prevention focused. Outcomes are dependent on individual needs. These can include: attendance improvement, academic success, sporting representation, cultural engagement, developing leadership qualities and community participation.
Our social workers also help facilitate weekly breakfast and lunch clubs, run holiday programmes, provide mentoring, weekend camps, group work and are actively involved in cultural festivals and whanau events.
YWiSS – Youth Workers in Secondary Schools
Challenge 2000 has youth workers at Aotea, Bishop Viard, Mana, Porirua and Taita Colleges. The aim of this service is to improve engagement and achievement in mainstream education for year 9 and 10 students who are at risk of disengaging from their education journey and school community.
Our youth workers are focused on working with students to improve motivation, provide encouragement, set realistic and achievable goals, support participation and learning within the school environment and improve their overall well-being.
Desiree Harawira
Adam Bain
Melisha Isa’ako
Dawn Tararo
Tito Kisona
Kauri Brown
Sarah Boniface
Viv Campbell
Petrina Foaese
Rebecca Foley
Adam Bain
MASSISS Team Leader
Kia ora, I'm Adam, a social worker and MASSISS Team Leader here at Challenge 2000. I was raised in the Wairarapa before moving to Wellington to complete my social work degree. Over the last 15 years I have worked for both Government and NGOs in health, early intervention services and care and protection.
I am passionate about social justice for our young people and I look forward to continuing this work at Challenge.
Melisha Isa’ako
Social Worker
Talofa lava, Kia Ora! My name is Melisha Isa'ako.
I'm stoked to join the Challenge whanau as one of the MASSiSS social workers based at Taita College.
My move to Challenge at the beginning of 2022 was an opportunity I couldn't resist and upon reflecting on past experiences in leading youth development programmes, holiday programmes, youth ministry and working as a social worker in the health sector for a number of years - it was time for me to fully emerge myself where our rangatahi are at... in college!
Since being based at Taita no day is the same and I'm loving it!
I'm honoured to share space with our young people and I'm grateful to be part of their journey in whatever capacity they allow me to.
Here's to more spaces for our young people to thrive, be seen and heard!
Ia manuia!Dawn Tararo
Kia ora, Sabaidee.
My name is Dawn Tararo, I have joined the MASSISS team at Challenge 2000 and I will be based at Porirua College as the Social Worker. I am of Laos descent, a small country in South East Asia. I was born in a refugee camp in Thailand. My whānau and I moved to New Zealand in 1991. My husband and our three daughters live in Porirua East and have been there since. We are Porirua proud!
Between having our daughters, I have been in Social services for over 8 years in different NGO’s. I take pride in any mahi that I undertake. I am still as passionate as I was when I decided to study Social Work in 2013.
I am a people person and I love a good chat! I am easy-going (sometimes the odd blonde moments) which allows me to connect and build relationships with people from all walks of life. I enjoy spending quality time with my whānau.
I look forward to supporting our rangatahi at Porirua College to guide them to be the best version of themselves. I am excited to become a part of the Challenge 2000 whānau.
“poipoia te kākano kia puāwai”
“nurture the seed and it will bloom”
Khop Jai.Tito Kisona
Social Worker
Kauri Brown
Kia Ora, My name is Kauri Brown I'm Maori & Tongan and I'm a youth worker here at Challenge 2000.
Most of my mahi is in High school doing one on one mentoring with our Rangatahi. It's something that I am extremely passionate about and grateful to have this opportunity.
I come alongside our young people to show that there is someone who believes in them which is a great blessing to my life as I see a lot of myself in the rangatahi coming from the same background.
Malo Auptio
Sarah Boniface
Youth Worker
Viv Campbell
Youth Services Manager
Kia ora. I am originally from Taranaki o Ngati Ruanui me Te Atiawa and currently living in Wellington.
I am hugely appreciative to be part of the Challenge 2000 whanau and count it a massive privilege to be part of team that is passionate about enhancing peoples’ lives for the greater good.
Petrina Foaese
Youth Worker
Talofa lava. My name is Petrina Foaese, My family and I are from the beautiful island of Samoa. Challenge 2000 has many values that my Aiga and I hold close to our hearts.
I am privileged to work for such a giving and loving organisation. I have always wanted to give back to my community and I thank Challenge 2000 for helping me achieve this goal. I am currently working at Taita and Aotea Colleges doing youth work with awesome rangatahi under the Youth Worker in secondary schools support programme.
This is great as it gives me and insight in what is needed out in the community to develop and harness the strengths of young people. It gives me the opportunity to work alongside youth and listen to their beautiful stories.
I graduated with a BA in criminology and education at Victoria university and I believe this study is helping me understand more about the work we do and why we love it.
Everyday is different at Challenge2000 and I am truly blessed to be part of this amazing Aiga.
Rebecca Foley
MASSISS Social Worker