News

The New, the Old and the Current

The New, the Old and the Current

Challenge 2000 staff continue to provide our usual range of youth and family services including leadership programmes, college retreats, after-school and holiday programmes, youth groups, camps and individual programmes and we have also developed some new initiatives eg our Amorangi Programme and court supervised camps – these being part of their Fresh Start Initiative.

We have stood with young people and families in times of great need and also celebrated their successes.  In the midst of this we have been inspired by the courage, resilience and hope that we have experienced in many people and places.

In the past few months we have farewelled some ‘old faces’- Steve Tamarapa, Kevin Head sm and Tina May Wilkins and we wish them well as they move on to being Challenge whanau elsewhere!!   We have also welcomed some new (and some not so new) people including Ray Ropata, Heath Hutton and our seven Gap year trainees (Joe, Solana, Therese, Andrew, Steve, Sam and Alivia).

In the midst of all the change here at Challenge, we were shocked and grieved by the tragedy of the Christchurch earthquake and subsequently the events in Japan.  As well as offering our support to our family and friends in Christchurch, we have offered our support in the coming months if it is needed for the recovery process.  These events have certainly caused us all to reflect on what is really important in life and have given the team at Challenge a renewed sense of purpose.

We have an amazingly talented, dedicated team of staff and volunteers who are willing to do what it takes each day to make a difference.  We are excited about the year ahead, one which promises to be full of many adventures.  If you would like to join us on one of these adventures, you can start by marking on your calendars Sunday 29 May as the date for our annual Quiz night.   Look forward to seeing you there!

Bridget Roche

Another busy start to the year

This year has been busy and is flying by so quickly. We at Challenge 2000 are kept busy with running Individual programmes, Challenge College, Newlands Community Centre, youth group and other youth programmes, overnight camps, staff training, farewells and welcome-parties! In between staff have snatched some time to continue planning and goal setting for the rest of 2010.
We have a wonderful team of passionate, experienced and qualified youth, and social and community work staff, who are geared up to provide a variety of innovative, and holistic programmes for the young people and families who access our services.

We now have a new manager for our Youth and Family Centre. Congratulations, and welcome to your new role Tina.

Along with this, Challenge has gone through some structural changes. Bridget Roche has responsibility for operational management of Challenge while Kitty remains Challenge 2000’s leader and will continue to supervise the GAP programme, special projects, ministry and development, build partnerships with corporates and government and mentor senior staff.