Over the past couple of weeks, our retreat team has been lucky enough to work with the students of the Catholic schools in our community, from Central Wellington to Heretaunga!

Through different activities, students honed their own talents, communication and teamwork skills – all essential qualities of a great leader.

We are so privileged to have spent the last few weeks with these talented young people, and are looking forward to the many different ways these students will contribute to their schools and our community.

Here are some photos of the wonderful retreat days.

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Last Thursday we managed to finally all have a day together to reconnect! It had been quite a few months since we had done this, due to COVID-19 restrictions, so it was something we were all looking forward to.

The day focused on Whanaungatanga and cultural learning. We all brought a plate of ethnic kai which fuelled us for the day.

Throughout the day some of our staff spoke about their culture, traditions, ideas and learnings and their history. We learnt some basic Tokelauan, we got our hips moving with some Pacific Groove moves, and we learnt how to make our very own poi!

Thanks to the staff for teaching us these valuable skills. 

And also a big thanks to the Collective Community Hub for making this staff gathering possible, we are very grateful. 

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Court Supervised Camp

A five day trip took place in October with two rangatahi from Challenge 2000.

We travelled north to Ohakune, where we made our base for the coming days.

Our first big activity was white water rafting on the Tongariro River, a gauntlet of some 60 rapids that we navigated over several hours. After some hard work carrying the raft and working through the water, we relaxed in the hot pools at Turangi.

The following day we set off on the Old Coach Road bike trail which took us through lush forest, rolling hillsides and along the old cobbled coach road leading in and out of Ohakune. We had definitely earned our evening bounty of a BBQ dinner!

The next day we took a gondola ride on the Sky Waka at Whakapapa Ski Resort and spent some time in the snow up the mountain. Over the course of the trip, a small table tennis competition had started and this, along with some gradually engrossing games of Monopoly Deal, formed the bulk of our evening entertainment.

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Delta Covid has certainly disrupted our Children’s, Youth Ministry and Sacramental Programmes!

However last Saturday November 6^th, we held one Confirmation Mass at SS Peter and Paul’s for 18 of our children and their families. Numbers were of course restricted to 100.  Even though we had challenging circumstances, everyone really worked hard to make this Mass a special time for our children.

We were very blessed to have Cardinal John Dew as our lead celebrant alongside Pete Roe, everyone seemed very happy, and Spirit filled during and after the Mass. 

A big thank you to so many of our Youth ministry, Missions team and those who helped with decorating the church, running the Sacramental programme and preparing the children for the mass. Love works and so does the Holy Spirit!

CONGRATULATIONS to our newly Confirmed young Catholics.

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The past few months have been busy for the Gap Year Students.

They have arrived back on their various placements, which they all absolutely loved!

These ranged from going down to Dunedin to spend time with some of the Dominican Sisters, attending Outward Bound in Anakiwa, teacher aiding at St Mary’s in Carterton and St Benedict’s Primary, helping out at the Blossom Festival at Kaitoke Gardens and helping at an animal rescue farm… to name a few…

We are now counting down the final weeks of their Gap Year Programme!

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Want to work in a flexible, organic, staff and community-friendly agency? Then apply to join Challenge 2000 now to start a new way of working!

C2K is a professional Social Work and Youth Development agency that provides a wide, dynamic range of services for young people and families in the Wellington Region.

One means of support Challenge 2000 provides is MASSiSS (Multi-Agency Support Services in Secondary Schools), with a team of social workers based in six secondary schools across Porirua and the Hutt Valley.
We are seeking an experienced social worker to join this team. 

You must be:

• A qualified and experienced social worker
• Registered with the SWRB
• Able to support Challenge 2000’s commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and express that commitment via your social and community work practice
• Committed to and experienced in working with Māori and Pacific communities 
• Experienced in working with adolescents and their families
• Committed to a strengths-based approach and empowering young people to achieve their dreams
• Solution-focused, goal-oriented and a critical thinker
• Committed to social justice and social transformation
• An effective communicator
• Able to work as part of a multi-disciplinary College and community team
• Able to network and build effective working relationships with other agencies  
• Keen to develop new ways of supporting youth and families to develop their strengths and create the present and future they desire

Applicants must also have:

• New Zealand residency or a valid New Zealand work visa
• A current full clean drivers licence

The salary for this position is negotiable for the right applicant. Come and talk this through if you want a new opportunity to use your knowledge and skills to make a difference.

Applications close Thursday 2nd December 2021.

If you’re believe you have the skills and experience to fulfil this role, please send your CV and covering letter to Damian Dempsey at info@challenge2000.org.nz or call 04 477 6827 to arrange a chat.

Our Vacancies Page

Not long ago a few of the Challenge Whanau went up to Hawkes Bay for a few days. It was for a Social Justice retreat with year 11 St John’s boys.

It was super fun and throughout the day we did a bunch of activities with them.

One activity that stood out was the Privilege Walk which was where we read out a bunch of statements, and you stepped forward if it applied to you.

It was super powerful, as it showed the huge differences in privilege amongst their classmates. It was an awesome experience heading up to Hawkes Bay to deliver such an important programme!

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Come and join us this Sunday 14th November from 5pm at SS Peter and Paul’s Church, Johnsonville

Challenge 2000 youth workers facilitate afterschool youth programmes at both the Linden and Newlands Community Centres. These programmes are a safe place for rangatahi to hang out and catch up over some kai, do some fun activities and connect with each other. These programmes run during the school term for intermediate and high school aged young people and are free. Young people who attend these programmes also have the opportunity to attend activity days with Challenge 2000 in the school holidays.

If you have a young person who is interested in joining these programmes please get in touch with Tamsyn Sutherland on 0211917284 or tamsynsutherland@challenge2000.org.nz

Newlands Community Youth Programme
Where: Newlands Community Centre
When: Mondays and Wednesdays 3pm-5pm

Linden Leadership Programme
Where: Linden Community Centre
When: Wednesdays and Fridays 3pm-5pm