to the September 2014 Caring Magazine
Transcription
to the September 2014 Caring Magazine
ISSUE 123 - SEPTEMBER 2014 Community Magazine Gladiators of Change Promotes Powerful Positive Parenting Hard Work and SWiS Help Pay Off for Sulia Collaboration, Connection and Community Converge at SWiS Conference A Message from the CEO F l y i n g without In their recent submission to the 2014 Interim Report on Welfare Reform, Australia’s major church providers outlined key principles they believe are the basis for a fair, effective welfare system. I believe we should share and support these core beliefs which are summarised here: • We believe all people have inherent value, and have the ability to contribute to New Zealand society. • We believe participation and engagement requires access to income, healthcare, education, essential services, and housing. • We believe that, as a society, we all have a responsibility – individually, in business, via our Government, and through our communities – to enable access to the resources people need to live their lives with dignity and respect. • We believe that there must be a social safety net, which provides an adequate level of income to people who aren’t earning enough through paid employment to enable a decent quality of life. This safety net is an important protection against poverty, and should be able to be relied upon by every person in need. In the run up to the 2014 election, these are principles we should challenge all parties to support and address – whether they are left wing, right wing or flying without any wing! Sadly, far too often in election years, we see welfare, poverty and equity issues used to score political points, instead of to formulate workable solutions to the challenges our society faces. The critical issue our politicians should be debating is how they can work collaboratively with government and non-government agencies to develop programmes focused on a coordinated approach to addressing the myriad of social issues our communities face. Recently someone wrote that simply having a job would go a long way towards addressing social inequity. If any Government is to produce lasting and meaningful societal change, they should ensure people have enough to live on while they seek work, that there are real jobs for them to apply for, and that they have a good chance of getting and keeping those jobs. In Social Sciences, we read about ‘agency’ (the capacity of individuals to act independently and to make their own free choices) and ‘structure’ (factors such as social class, religion, gender, ethnicity, customs, etc ... that determine or limit an individual and his or her decisions). If an individual’s actions continue to be constrained by the social systems in which they must exist, arguably their ability to act and make informed choices and decisions will be seriously affected. If we continue to repeat the mistakes of the past, we will never be able to address the issues of today, let alone of the future. So let us lobby our left wing, right wing and wingless politicians to support the introduction of policies that will create a society where individuals will be able to act independently and make informed choices, free from societal constraints that so often marginalise, stigmatise and disempower them. This year we have the opportunity as citizens of this country to advocate for the creation of a society that allows all its members to live their lives with dignity and respect. Philip Beilby CEO – Anglican Trust for Women and Children needs your support ATWC needs your support to help build happy, healthy futures for our children. To DONATE, visit www.atwc.org.nz, call 09 276 3729, or send a cheque payable to Anglican Trust for Women and Children to PO Box 22363, Otahuhu, Auckland 1640. Or fill out the card with this newsletter and send it to us in the Freepost envelope provided. Freepost Authority No. 61481, The Anglican Trust for Women and Children, PO Box 22363, Otahuhu, Auckland 1640 2I Caring - community magazine Hard Work and SWiS Help Pay Off for Sulia When Sulia Huahulu immigrated to New Zealand from Tonga in 2010 in search of a better life for herself and her son, she says she felt weak, confused, nervous and heartbroken. Four years down the track, Sulia, who graduated in July with a one-year Diploma of Business from BEST Training, says she has SWiS social worker Julie Nohe to thank for helping her to become stronger, more confident and to have a sense of pride in her achievements. Sulia, who first met Julie through a friend, was too scared at first to approach her but when she saw the good work Julie was doing she summoned the courage to ask her for help. Sulia needed advice and information about her child and her benefit. Julie says Sulia was very shy at first but as their relationship grew Sulia opened up to her. “I helped Sulia access information so that she could make informed decisions for her and her family. I also gave her practical help, like obtaining a washing machine,” says Julie. “Sulia then told me that she had achieved all A’s in her study. I was so impressed with her achievements but Sulia couldn’t see how well she had done, so I gave her lots of positive affirmation to help strengthen her self-belief.” Sulia says: “Julie’s words of encouragement lifted me up and made me stronger inside. So I thank her for that.” Before Sulia graduated, she was thrilled to learn from Julie that she was going to be given a special outfit to wear on her special day. Caroline Marr, the owner of The Carpenter’s Daughter label which makes plus size clothing for women, generously donated a gorgeous dress and top to Sulia. Julie arranged for Sulia to meet Caroline in her store where she was able to choose her outfit. Caroline, whose philosophy is to celebrate and empower curvy women to feel proud and worthy of fashion, said she was “paying it forward” for Sulia because she was impressed with how she had taken steps to change her life. “You can either sit at home and twiddle your thumbs or you can get off the couch and do something, which is what Sulia has done,” says Caroline. When Caroline asked Sulia why she was studying, she simply said: “I want a better life.” Sulia started a Bachelor of Business majoring in accounting at the Auckland University of Technology’s Manukau campus in July. Caring - community magazine I3 Collaboration, Connection and Community Converge at SWiS Conference Research and the importance of local knowledge in social work practice in New Zealand was the theme of this year’s annual Auckland regional Social Workers in Schools conference. Over two days in July at Manukau Institute of Technology’s marae, 150 social workers, teachers, principals and key people from the Ministry of Social Development met to collaborate, share knowledge, connect and gain insight from speakers who work in different areas of social work in New Zealand. Papatoetoe South School principal Mark Barratt spoke about the importance of the relationships between schools and their social workers. 4I Caring - community magazine Transparency, trust and respect were the keys to successfully working together for the ultimate wellbeing of the child, he said. ATWC’s senior manager of Social Workers in Schools Elizabeth Walker-Tautali said Mark’s words reinforced the fact that the success of ATWC’s work hinged on the quality of the relationships its workers had with people and what was invested in those relationships. Multi-agency social workers and Youth Workers in Secondary Schools were also among those who attended this year’s conference. ATWC’s general manager of operations, Judy Matai’a, said a key benefit of the conference was for social workers to see that they were not alone. “Often, they can feel isolated in their practice. To come away from their schools and see they are another spoke in a much larger wheel helps to affirm the work they do,” she said. “The extra level of professional development to help build their practices is an important part of the conference which re-vitalises and re-energises the work that social workers do.” In line with the conference theme, speakers connected their own research to issues affecting social work in New Zealand. Anton Blank, the executive director of Te Kahui Mana Ririki, who initiated the first summit on Maori child abuse in 2007 which resulted in the birth of the Maori child advocacy organisation he heads, spoke of the ongoing need to eliminate Maori child abuse. ATWC organised and hosted the conference in collaboration with Te Tai Awa O Te Ora Trust, Family “Collaborating strengthened the relationships between providers at management level and provided a lot of opportunities to work together,” said Judy Matai’a. The conference provided valuable networking opportunities for the social workers to pool resources and knowledge to strengthen their practices. ATWC social worker Shay Twomey said the speakers affirmed her passion for her work and made her realise there was plenty of scope for creativity in her role. “I also benefited immensely from being able to connect with other social workers from other organisations.” The 12 speakers who addressed the conference included keynote speakers Mark Barratt, National MP Alfred Ngaro, Dr Jacquelyn Elkington and Dr Leland Ruwhiu. Works Northern, Mangere East Family Service Centre, IOSIS Family Solutions and Strive Community Trust. Caring - community magazine I5 Gladiators of Change Promotes Powerful Positive Parenting Positive role modelling, interactive discussion and humour were keys to the success of two Gladiators of Change Raising Families evenings at the Otahuhu Community Hall in May. Gladiators of Change (GOC) is an initiative of Social Workers in Schools (SWiS) and is supported by ATWC and local schools. Event coordinator and SWiS practice manager Ashleigh Latimer is passionate about making a difference in the lives of the families involved and says GOC is an important message for ATWC to deliver. A need was identified to help Pasifika dads grow in their parenting skills and over the past six years the programme has evolved to include an evening for mothers. Fathers’ night speakers were ex-All Blacks Eroni Clarke and Pita Alatini, National Party List MP Alfred Ngaro, ex-Warriors player Joe Vagana and broadcaster Efeso Collins, who was the evening’s MC. The speakers shared their experiences of fatherhood including their strengths and struggles during what they and the fathers who attended said was a satisfying, helpful evening. Marama Papau, a presenter, director and reporter for TVNZ’s Tagata Pasifika, was the MC at the mothers’ night where speakers were Problem Gambling Foundation’s Rufo Tinai Puphali’i, zumba instructor Tenga Schwalger, YWCA Future Leaders programme coordinator Kendal Collins and Otahuhu Child Youth and Family site manager Anahila Kanongata’a-Suisuiki. 6I Caring - community magazine “The speakers’ honesty in sharing their parenting stories and the way they wove Pasifika humour into their parenting advice was an important way to connect with our mums and dads,” says Ashleigh. “Feedback from parents was that they loved the honesty and experiences shared.” St Joseph’s Primary School principal Liz Horgan, who has supported GOC for the past six years, recognises how SWiS reaches out to parents through the programme. “The important message to get across to our parents is for them to find time to spend with their children and take an active interest in what they do at school and how they are with others. “Providing entertainment by their children also encourages parents to attend and gives them a chance to see the range of their children’s talents.” Liz thinks the GOC programme’s influence is far reaching and will completely change the lives of some children and families. She believes parents who are engaged with their children in the ordinary everyday ways of loving them, caring for them, giving them time, supporting them, talking to them and modelling right behaviours will help them to learn much more effectively at school. “So much of what happens in a child’s education is dependent on what is happening at home,” says Liz. As a follow up to Gladiators of Change, SWiS has developed a Family Programme where social workers work with families in their homes over 10 weeks to discuss key issues and joint activities for parents and children. Dio Students Decorate Playhouse and Build Seating Dio Harvests a Generous Crop More than 300 ATWC families have received food hampers this year – thanks to the ongoing generosity of the Junior School community at Diocesan School for Girls. Diocesan’s Junior School celebrates the Harvest Festival every year at a special assembly which parents and relatives are invited to attend. Student families are asked to bring a decorated shoebox or small basket filled with groceries and tinned items for the festival and this year was no exception. All of the school’s donations are given to ATWC to be distributed to families most in need. “The continued support we receive from Diocesan is a testament to the values of Diocesan as a whole,” said ATWC CEO Mr Philip Beilby, who attended this year’s assembly to receive the donations on behalf of the Trust. Lorri Higgins, the residential supervisor at ATWC’s Granger Grove parenting centre, says every year she and her team make up hundreds of food hampers with the harvest donations. “It is really incredible just how much is donated every year, and this year was no different. We made up more than 300 hampers, which is just fantastic.” Thank You St Mary’s Preschool children are enjoying their newly decorated playhouse and wharenui (house) seating, thanks to the creativity and hard work of Diocesan School students. Earlier this year, Year 10 students painted the playhouse and built seating for the preschool wharenui which the students built last year, using $500 of funds they had raised. St Mary’s manager Kathryn Mills welcomes visits from the Diocesan students each year. “The girls continue to build on the resources they have created in previous years and this benefits the children and the teachers. “During the week the girls are here, the children have the opportunity to play and work alongside the older girls. That gives them a lot of one-on-one time which they often don’t get in their home environments with older siblings,” says Kathryn. A big thank you from all the children and staff at St Mary’s Preschool to everyone who donated money to support the completion of our new hiproof. More than $17,000 was raised towards the $40,000 cost of the roof which now provides a great space for the children to play under when it’s raining. St Mary’s Preschool manager Kathryn Mills says children and staff are looking forward to summer when the roof will also provide much-needed shade. “The children can now play outside in the wet weather and enjoy activities they would normally not have been able to. We are extremely grateful for this added resource and for everyone’s contributions.” Caring - community magazine I7 The Friends of ATWC Incorporated Open Day Celebrates Three Generations of Giving to ATWC A long history with ATWC and a desire to help families are why three generations of the Anderson Family attended the annual Supporters Lunch and Open Day which the Friends hosted on June 20. Judy Anderson, her daughter Janine Ibb and granddaughter Alysse Heta all attended the day at ATWC’s Otahuhu headquarters where they saw ATWC’s work first hand at Granger Grove and St Mary’s Preschool. “It was a wonderful event with a personal touch as we could see that our donations go directly to the Granger Grove mums,” said Judy. Judy has supported ATWC for several years by giving cosmetics collected by her Otahuhu parish to Granger Grove mothers. She regularly attends ATWC’s open days. Her granddaughter Alysse has always been interested in ATWC’s work. “I’ve heard my Nan talk about this organisation for many years. Every time I collected clothes we didn’t need she would give them to ATWC,” says Alysse. ATWC’s CEO Philip Beilby spoke with the Friends and supporters and thanked them for all their help. “The wonderful generosity of ATWC’s Friends and supporters helps us to continue the important work of caring and nurturing families so they can thrive. Without this continued support we would be at a real loss.” Before lunch, the Friends and supporters toured ATWC’s facilities, including Granger Grove, where residential supervisor Lorri Higgins told them about ATWC’s unique long term, three-stage programme which helps mothers learn valuable life and parenting skills. ATWC staff Shelmaine Terblanche, Jane Hanley, and Elizabeth Walker-Tautali also told supporters about the Family Start, Family Services and Social Workers in Schools services they lead. Friends Theatre Night Raises Funds Thank you to all the people who braved cold, wet weather to attend the Friends’ Theatre night at Onehunga’s Dolphin Theatre on June 26 where they were treated to a charming, madcap adventure about love, life and man’s eternal love affair with .... golf. On the Fairway, written by Ken Ludwig Fox and directed by Carl Drake, was the play for this year’s Friends’ Theatre night which raised around $800 to support ATWC’s work. Order Form for Christmas Cakes In support of the Friends of Anglican Trust for Women and Children YES I would like to order cakes @ $56.00 (inc GST) = $ Name: Organisation: Address: Phone: Email: Please find enclosed my cheque (made payable to ATWC) I paid via internet banking to 12 3011 0156856 00 on (date) and have used my surname or organisation name and the word “Xmas cakes” as a reference Please send me an invoice Please deliver to me at the above address Please deliver as per the enclosed instructions To place your order please mail this form with your payment to: Christmas Cake Orders Any queries, or to pay via credit card Anglican Trust for Women please contact Melissa at ATWC on and Children 09 276 3729 extn 9028 or send an P.O Box 22 363, Otahuhu email to [email protected] Auckland 1640 Thank you for your support Editorial inquiries - For feedback or story ideas for Caring, Please contact Deborah at [email protected] or ph 021 226 8882 Caring - a subscription free publication of the Anglican Trust For Women And Children (ATWC)