Category: Challenge 2000

The Mighty Trek up to New Plymouth!!!

 

The team showing their colours

On 11 September 2011 eight Challenge 2000 team members wrapped themselves in an array of Irish and Munster jerseys and headed up to New Plymouth for the Ireland vs USA game.  For that game we were kindly reminded by our fearless leader that our allegiance lies with Ireland and no other team – although once meeting up with Jamie –our USA staff member – we managed to cheer for the Sates too!! After a road trip of  four and a half hours  and stops at famous towns like Levin, Bulls and Hawera, we reached Taranaki.  All we could see was a sea of green supporters, sprinkled with a few Americans.

 

Jamie backing USA

 

The atmosphere was filled with excitement and energy … I have always been proud of our little nation but on this occasion watching the crowd regardless of the colours they wore supporting both teams made me even prouder to be a Kiwi. To share this experience with the other members of the team was incredible. The Challenge team made the experience a once in a lifetime one – full of laughter, craic, fun, singing, adventure and of course a few history lessons about Ireland and the challenges there. Sinead was a great presence being the only pure Irish person amongst us!  Craig Butler showed fantastic hospitality – making us very welcome at St Josephs presbytery and being sooo friendly AND thanks for the mattresses and the breakfast on Monday. Then back to work refuelled and a closer team. Go the All Blacks!! We look forward to an Irish All Black Final…????

Street Day Appeal

Early Morning Collection at Wellington Train Station

Friday September 2nd saw 100 of our brave collectors face the public on the streets of Wellington to collect money to support our youth programmes. The cold  and blustery morning began at 0645 at Wellington Railway station where collectors and commuters shivered and struggled against the Wellington wind. When all seemed impossible a magnificent, colourful rainbow filled the sky and gave us all hope for the day. We managed to raise $7,000 – THANK YOU to all our supporters. The total was a little down on last year and we now wait on the generous cheques of those that didn’t have cash in their pockets and assured us that they would make a deposit in our bank account.

Challenge supporters Eddie and Cecily collecting on Lambton Quay

At our staff debrief on Friday night many stories were told of generous givers and people who gave a little because they had experienced personal or family struggles with children and young people themselves. Stories were also shared of those who walked passed, averted their eyes or made rude comments about the number of collections that occur on Wellington Streets. The more intellectual of our collectors reflected on the sociological and philosophical issues relating to the redistribution of wealth in our community and how we do all need to do our bit to ensure that our children and young people can grow and fully participate in our society.

 

Challenge 2000 Supports Gary and Wendy collecting on Johnsonville Road

 

Overall, we are really grateful to the people of Wellington who do understand that it takes a city to raise a child and build a positive and functioning country.

Thank you for helping us to make a difference, for bringing our young people hope and for sharing what you have.

Challenge 2000 Team!

Clean up your act!

Respect is a core value at Challenge 2000! We try to teach it to others and to live it ourselves.

On Saturday 6 August 2011 we led a clean up effort in Johnsonville that saw over 50 bags of rubbish collected.

The brisk morning couldn’t keep us away or dampen the enthusiasm of those participating. Under bushes, mowed into lawns, clogging gutters and around the railway line – there was no effort spared.

Thanks to all those that joined in and supported the effort including WCC Councillors Justin Lester and Helene Ritchie who were both cleaning machines, NZ Police’s finest Matthew Boyce, and Katrina Shanks MP. Thanks also to WCC Councillor Ngaire Best for helping with planning and preparation and a big shout out to Sid Keelan and all other WCC staff that supported the removal of all that rubbish.

The morning ended with a BBQ put on with the support of local hero Bob Shennan.

50 bags is just a start, there is much more work to be done in keeping our community looking and feeling absolutely positively good. Most importantly we need to build and support people in the community that respect others, respect themselves, and respect this place.

We’d like this to become an annual event so watch this space for more! 

Thank you Freemasons

A big thank you to the Johnsonville based Freemasons for their recent sponsorship. The freemasons held the longest morning tea on 30 July at the Philip Street Lodge with all proceeds going to Challenge 2000.

We are raising money for a new van and the Freemasons sponsorship is a very useful contribution towards this.

It is obvious to us that despite the perception of mystery associated with the Freemasons, the blokes do a lot of good in the community!

Thank you to all the Freemasons and keep up the good work.

Clean Up Jville!

Challenge 2000 are leading the charge to clean up Johnsonville for visitors ahead of the Rugby World Cup. Join us on August 6, for a couple of hours of cleanup. If you would like to help please register your interest with us or just turn up!

ph: 477 6827 for info.

 

Community Works Team

Challenge 2000’s community works team are firing on all cylinders. So far in 2011 the team have built fences, mowed lawns, prepared tonnes of firewood, assembled and dismantled countless marquee’s for Wellington’s biggest summer events, moved people from point A to Z and everywhere in between, and much MUCH more.

For many years Challenge has been running a community works team that help teach young people critical work skills. At the same time, these young people earn some money and get valuable work experience for future careers. We also carry out work for you to the highest professional standard.

Do you have any work that needs to be done? Lawns mowed, hedges trimmed, trees removed, fences and retaining walls built? Does your house need a wash or perhaps you’ve wanted to paint for a while? Would a deck add value to your house?

Please contact us for a professional and competitive quote: email – challenge2000@xtra.co.nz or phone (04) 477 6827. As an agency committed to social justice we are also happy to help those that are not in a financial position to pay for services.

Oh the places you’ll go!

The Odyssey group had an awesome start to the school holidays with the much-anticipated camp! The weekend kicked off on Friday night when we all jumped in the vans and headed to Forest Lakes in Otaki. The traditional road trip sing-a-longs showed that everyone was getting amped for a very eventful weekend.  We arrived to supper and a challenge for the weekend. The theme of “Oh the Places You’ll Go” by Dr. Suess was introduced and the participants got thinking and talking about their dreams and journeys. Before bedtime we had come to the conclusion that nobody reaches “the places you’ll go” without daring to dream.

Team work essential to get through this obstacle

Saturday morning brought fun of a different kind; trust exercises and abseiling. The trust exercises enabled everyone to work well as a team. Communication was a common theme that the small groups discussed. It was awesome to see young people co-operating so well. Abseiling down a thirteen metre cliff was a real challenge for many of the participants and leaders. Those who abseiled showed great courage and perseverance, some even managed to go down face first!  It was great to see everyone supporting the person coming down the wall. These activities had everybody thinking about the theme of the camp.

Respect is the foundation for unity

The activities were followed by group sessions focussing on personal development, faith and values. Participants really got an opportunity to explore their personal beliefs and ask the questions you might not normally have time for. Why do bad things happen to good people? Who is God? What can I do for society today? What is justice? And so many more.

"Why does this mud smell so bad?"

In the afternoon, the mudslide proved to be popular once again. Even though it was freezing the majority of the group got out and gave it a go. They came back dripping, dirty and smelling not only of mud but it was well worth it.

Otaki based Marist Pa Rob Devlin joined us on Saturday night to share insights into service and social justice. Rob talked about his years in the soup kitchen and working in various other ministries for the poor and marginalised.

We ended camp on Sunday with team challenges. This gave participants a chance to use their talents, whether they are music, public speaking, drama, art or push-ups (Go Luke!!). It was an entertaining way to wrap up camp activities.

Team Challenge Performance

Camp concluded with affirmations. New friendships were formed and the group now has a whole new sense of belonging. Now we are all home and can not stop thinking about the places we will go! There is so much more to look forward to in the Odyssey programme. The best is yet to come!

Supported Bail

Our Supported Bail programme continues to plant the seeds of change in the lives of young people who are involved in the Youth Justice system.   We have seen huge transformation occur during this six week programme, with young people successfully completing the programme and complying with their bail conditions.  It’s a privilege to see the young people starting to walk tall and hold their heads high, knowing that they can be proud of the choices they are making.  It’s not always a straightforward journey but the young people gain some skills and knowledge to help them as they transition into the next stage of their lives.

The Police Youth Aid and CYF Youth Justice teams that we work alongside, are committed to supporting young people to accept responsibility for their actions and to make changes in their lives.  It’s great to be part of such professional and committed team.One member of the Police with whom we work recently wrote this: “We have been fortunate to be able to use the services of Challenge 2000 for the past two years. They have been instrumental in reducing the offending rates of our high risk youth in our area and  I have been impressed by the way they handle their young people. They have made a positive impact on every one of the young people they have taken on and their families”.

Heath Hutton and our Youth Team are doing a great job.  Heath’s experience, energy and vision for the programme and his heart for the young people is evident and he is also committed to doing better and better with this programme.

This year we also have a variety of other Fresh Start youth justice services including the Amorangi programme, court-supervised camps and mentoring.

For information about our other Youth Justice services please contact

Bridget Roche on 477 6827

Heath Hutton on 478 4573 or

email referrals@challenge2000.org.nz

Wellington LSV March out

The latest group of the New Zealand Defence Force’s Limited Service Volunteers march out at Tretham Army Camp. The young men and women are supported by a Challenge 2000 social worker and a number of other Challenge staff.

Come along to see some inspiring young New Zealanders achieve great things.

Youth Leadership Camp

Challenge 2000 will be running a camp for participants of the current Odyssey Programme. The weekend will be filled with plenty of fun and excitement as well as an opportunity to learn about leadership and experience personal growth.

Where: Forest Lakes

When: Departs Challenge Youth and Family Centre Friday 7pm.

Cost: $60