Johnsonville Freemasons are supporting Challenge 2000 through their annual longest morning tea. The Johnsonville Masons are opening up their doors to the general public. All gold coin donations go to Challenge 2000 – a great cause.
Date: 30 July
Time: From 10am
Place: Masonic Lodge, 25 Phillip Street, Johnsonville.
Linden Community Centre Holiday Sports Day, available for 16 participants. From 0930am – 4:30pm.
Call Challenge 2000 youth and family centre for more information 477 0338. Cost $5.
Newlands Community Centre Holiday Adventure Day, available for 16 participants. From 0930am – 4:30pm.
Call Challenge 2000 youth and family centre for more information and to register 477 0338. Cost $5.
Linden Community Centre Holiday Adventure Day, available for 16 participants. From 0930am – 4:30pm.
Call Challenge 2000 youth and family centre for more information 477 0338. Cost $5.
Newlands Community Centre Holiday Sports Day, available for 16 participants. From 0930am – 4:30pm.
Call Challenge 2000 youth and family centre to register 477 0338. Cost $5.
This year Challenge 2000 is running the exciting “Odyssey” adventure! – an exciting leadership and personal development programme for students aged 14-17 on Sunday nights 7-9pm. Odyssey is ideal for those who wish to achieve and develop themselves in all aspects of their life this year.
Odyssey is facilitated by experienced and trained Challenge 2000 leaders who have a passion for young people and justice. The programme includes a snow trip and a leadership weekend camp. 
There is also a sacramental aspect for those young people who may wish to receive a sacrament that they have missed out on. A one-stop shop so to speak!! It is a great opportunity!
Graduation was Sunday 14 August 6pm at Ss Peter and Paul JOhnsonville. Thank you to those that joined us in congratulating the graduates!
Challenge 2000 continues to focus on employment preparation and placement. Work is good for a young person and we believe that sustained employment can greatly enrich a young life.
Over the last six months we have been particularly focused on this area with support from the Ministry of Social Development.
Challenge provides individual training, as well as group work and work experience. We are very interested in hearing from employers that are looking for motivated, work ready young talent.
If you have vacancies, please contact Bridget M or James on 477 6827 or send us and email at challenge2000@xtra.co.nz
Which US President gave the Gettysburg Address?
Although we call them Rome, Naples and Florence what do Italians call these cities?
How many Labour governments have there been in New Zealand?
Do you know the answers?
These questions are just a taste of the brain benders that 18 teams battled over on Sunday 29 May at the Johnsonville Community Centre. The team that out smarted everyone was from United Future, congratulations to Peter Dunne and his team of very clever quiz goers.
Our host for the evening was Tim Duckworth SM who thoroughly tested the knowledge of our teams with 8 rounds of questions. Thank you Tim for hosting such a great night.
We had some great raffles thanks to prizes donated by a range of business friends. Our major prizes included weekends away to outstanding locations including the Raumati Sands Resort and the Beltroad Seaside Holiday Park. Other generous prizes were donated by the below Johnsonville businesses:
Motor Doctors, Video Ezy, Autostop, Burgerfuel, Muffin Break, Bella Bloom, Tulsi, Civic Video, Super Liquor Johnsonville, Progressive Enterprises, Johnsonville Medicentre, Pure Hairdressing, Wendy’s, Remax Real Estate, Cellar Room, Tommy’s Real Estate.
Most of all thank you to all those that joined in on the night. Thankyou, thank you, we could not do it without you.
Makahika Outdoor Centre was the place to be in the second week of the school holidays, as six lucky Challenge 2000 staff facilitated a leadership camp for young leaders. With Andy Murray as team leader – we knew we were in for a fun and challenging camp- we were not disappointed!
We were met with rain the first two days, hot milos and a spot by the fire were in high demand, not to mention badminton racquets- as a week-long competition started up.
These first two days were focussed on looking at who we were- what makes us who we are? In the hectic society that we live in today, it’s easy to go through life and neglect to spend time asking ourselves these important questions. Life is so busy, and its easy sometimes to ignore them.
We reflected on our lives so far with several sessions throughout the two days which included an art activity, group work and sharing. We were really proud of how willing and respectful the young leaders were with each other over these two days.
The third day saw us embark on a day long tramp. Our young leaders took turns leading the group along the way. Obstacles along the track meant the group really had to work as a team to make sure everyone was alright- it’s important to remember that asking for help is ok, and that with a supportive team around you- you can achieve big things!!
The fourth day brought a new challenge to the young leaders…high ropes activities!! The day was filled with: Flying fox, Team-building activities, Rock climbing, Abseiling and high ropes at the end of the day. It was awesome to see the young leaders practise the skill learnt so far, support each other, overcome fears and celebrate success!!
The Leadership Camp finished off with a bonfire (and a few packets of marshmallows) as we looked forward to what the next step was as young leaders of our families, schools, communities, iwi, country, and beyond!
On behalf of everyone that attended, thank you to the Mana Community Grants for your support and helping to make this happen. Thank you to those that stepped up and joined the camp – you are leaders today, your family and your country looks to you.
There is another side of Challenge 2000, which is constant and perhaps less obvious. There are families and people who live alone for whom Challenge is a place of comfort, a place to belong. Challenge can take the place of grandparents or siblings or church community. These people have often fallen on hard times and their lives are tinged with a sense of hopelessness. They know they can ring the Challenge House at any time – to talk, or to ask for practical help. This may be in the form of advocacy, translation, letter writing or transport to appointments. More importantly they know they will always find a listening heart and willingness to search for a way out of current difficulties to wholeness.
Challenge 2000 older volunteers and youth workers continue to live the Challenge dream of being light and hope in dark places. This is our job.
