Te Waipuna Puawai Mercy Oasis

Summary of research findings - HEART Movement

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 00:00:00 +1300

HEART is an evidence-based initiative informed by a comprehensive literature review on: community mobilisation; tools to measure change in communities; and effective local and international initiatives.

HEART has just completed local research to inform development of the initiative and to measure change over time. The Community Readiness Model was used to conduct 24 interviews with community members, practitioners and leaders on two areas: family violence and healthy relationships .

The Community Readiness Model measures the degree to which a community is prepared to take action on an issue. It measures six dimensions:

Community efforts	Community knowledge of efforts
Leadership	Community climate
Community knowledge about the issue	Resources related to the issue

An anchored rating scale is used to score individual interviews across these dimensions. Figure 1 shows the overall scores for each dimension.

Combined scores give the overall stage of readiness for a community from No Awareness through to High Level of Community Ownership. Table 1 shows the results.

Table 1: Stages of Readiness of the Community Readiness Model and Overall Stage of Readiness for Glen Innes and Pt England

Stages of Community Readiness	GI & Pt England Stage of Readiness
9. High level of community ownership
8. Confirmation / Expansions
7. Stabilisation
6. Initiation
5. Preparation	Healthy Relationships
4. Pre-planning	Family Violence
3. Vague awareness
2. Denial / Resistance
1. No awareness

Healthy Relationships scored 5 Preparation meaning:

“Active leaders are planning in earnest. Community offers modest support for efforts”.

Family Violence scored 4 Pre-planning meaning:

“There is clear recognition that something must be done, and there may even be a group addressing it. However, efforts are not focused or detailed”.

The HEART Movement can now begin to develop strategies to prevent family violence and promote healthy relationships based on local findings. These strategies will include increasing knowledge of efforts, knowledge of the issue and addressing community climate (or attitudes) as these areas are significantly lower than the other three dimensions.

HEART will complete a second Community Readiness Assessment to measure change created by the initiatives in 12 to 18 months time.

For the full report please contact the HEART Movement coordinator heart@twp.org.nz or 571 2098.

Source: Summary of research findings - HEART Movement

2011 Graduations for Students

Fri, 09 Dec 2011 00:00:00 +1300

The end of the year is always marked by the many celebrations of achievement. The graduations acknowledged students who had completed 6 modules of the Foundation Studies programme through MIT, those who had completed their computer course, the students who committed to a year long journey learning te reo maori, young parents that completed the Child Birth Learning Programme, those that got their learners drivers license, those that completed the Financial Literacy programme and many more.

This year we also bid farewell to a much loved MIT tutor, Sylvie Naidoo who will continue to share her gifts with other students.

Source: 2011 Graduations for Students

Emerging local housing trust

Fri, 09 Dec 2011 00:00:00 +1300

Te Waipuna Puawai has been actively involved in discussions on social housing over the past 2 years. This is a significant community wide issue and concerns are shared with many community members and organisations. With the government signalling its desire to support the growth of the third sector, a group of concerned citizens have responded by developing a business plan which would see the establishment of a new form of housing trust named, Nga Iwi Katoa, interested in whanau ora where the house becomes the lever for transformation. Nga Iwi Katoa is positioning itself to be the voice for ‘Tāmaki Community Housing’.

Nga Iwi Katoa intends responding to the entire spectrum of needs from emergency, transition, long term rental and affordable housing in collaboration with a collective of allied service providers. Now that the business planning process is almost complete, the draft trust deed will be amended to align to the vision and aspirations named in the plan. Initial trustees have been identified and the Trust Deed will be registered early 2012

Source: Emerging local housing trust

HEART Movement

Mon, 31 Oct 2011 00:00:00 +1300

The Heart Movement is a community-led initiative that aims to prevent family violence and promote healthy relationships in Glen Innes and Pt England. Heart has developed from conversations between community organisations and community members about working to prevent family violence before it happens rather than only responding to violence after it has occurred.

A network of 26 community and government organisations, and community members who are concerned about family violence in Glen Innes and Pt England has formed and a coordinator has been employed to work to achieve the vision of a community where loving, safe and supportive relationships are created and nurtured.

Heart is an evidence-based initiative informed by a comprehensive literature review on: community mobilisation; tools to measure change in communities; and effective local and international initiatives. Heart is using local research with community members and leaders to inform the development of its actions.

Source: HEART Movement

TWP in two Families Commision publications

Mon, 26 Sep 2011 00:00:00 +1300

THRIVING: Connected – Reflective – Effective is an account of the ‘doing it differently together,’ that is social innovation. It charts the relational journey made by a group of social innovators comprising staff from the Families Commission, and four exemplary social service organisations, who came together to undertake an ‘action inquiry,’ to learn more about what we have come to call a family whanau centred approach.

This resource was produced in collaboration with Auckland Women’s Centre, THRIVE Teen Parent Support Trust, Te Waipuna Puawai, Anglican Trust for Women and Children, Know Your Neighbours, Lifewise, and Takapuna Methodist Church 2011.

THRIVING IN PRACTICE is a companion document to THRIVING. It is an account of the ‘doing it differently together,’ that is social innovation. It charts the relational journey made by a group of social innovators comprising staff from the Families Commission, and two exemplary organisations Te Waipuna Puawai and Kia Aroha College. It explores what we have come to call a family whānau centred approach from the perspectives, and largely in the words of those working at the interface or frontline. It provides practice-based evidence for a more connected, relational approach to working with families whānau and communities in New Zealand.

Both resources can be downloaded from the Families Commission website:

http://www.nzfamilies.org.nz/publications-resources/thriving

Source: TWP in two Families Commision publications

One woman's story 8

Mon, 26 Sep 2011 00:00:00 +1300

One woman’s story – Hope for the future

I lived in a women’s refuge for six months before settling into a Housing New Zealand house with my three children. When I came to Glen Innes I had nothing and started from there. I didn’t know anyone in the community and felt lonely. I needed support with childcare and wanted to meet other women in the community so as to make friends.

I was at a festival in Glen Innes when I came across a Te Waipuna Puawai pamphlet advertising their courses. I read the pamphlet over and over and over again. For a long time I had wanted to go to university but when I read the TWP pamphlet I didn’t know if I was ready to study and how I would manage day to day with three active boys under five years, including twins. Wanting a better future for my family gave me the courage to contact TWP. When I rang and spoke with a TWP staff member, she listened to my questions and concerns, and encouraged me to enroll. The worker told me that TWP would support me to achieve my goal and offered to help with transport and childcare. I signed up for a Certificate in Foundation Studies offered at the TWP Centre in Ellerslie in partnership with the Manukau Institute of Technology.

When I first came to the TWP centre I thought it was very nice; modern, clean and lovely. The whole environment is very peaceful and calm. The staff were friendly and I felt reassured that my children would be safe and well looked after while I attended classes. When I walked in the door and dropped off my boys at the TWP childcare, I immediately felt more relaxed as if I left all my problems behind me. Because I had no concerns about the care of my children, once I entered the classroom I was able to focus totally on my studies.

Around twenty women attended the classes and I soon made friends. The other women were very open and I realized that we came from similar backgrounds. Many had had life experiences like mine and we understood each other. In class, there was a lot of mothering and aunties showing their concern, which was good. I looked forward to every class and only missed a few days when my children were sick.

In between classes, we visited one another in our homes and would often meet walking along the road or at the local shops. Now when my kids see the TWP van riding by they get excited; the van means something to us – it reminds us that we have family here and that we’re part of a community. These days, I feel a sense of closeness and community spirit as I walk around Glen Innes with my kids. I’m not alone anymore. When I meet someone I know we have a conversation together and talk about what’s going on for us and for our kids.

A number of things have a made a huge difference and enabled me to earn a certificate. TWP is well known in our community and people love the staff. I remember the first time I met Sister Marie; she was so kind to me that I cried; I knew she wouldn’t judge me. Some government workers make you feel so small and worthless but at TWP I feel special and look forward to coming here.

Without the practical support I wouldn’t have been able to attend the classes and would probably still be sitting at home wishing I was studying. TWP provided childcare and transport as well as clothing, budgeting advice, and sometimes food such as rice and porridge, and bread on Fridays.

The emotional support also meant a lot to me. I faced personal challenges while doing the certificate. Money, money, money is a big pressure in my life. How do I bring up my kids in a way that makes a positive difference in their lives and isn’t consumed by the pressures of money? At TWP I can talk about these kinds of challenges with the staff and the other women. Many of the women are dealing with such challenges and it helps knowing that I’m not alone.

I had a rough time earlier in the year and attended counselling. I had to go to court and a TWP support worker went with me. I felt I could really trust this worker; she explained things to me so that I understood what was happening. Most importantly, she helped me to realize that if I had made a mistake, it was not the end of the world. At the time I was lost; I felt guilty and blamed myself for what had happened. The TWP worker encouraged me to keep going and make things right so that I could move on with my life. She came to my house every week for quite a while until I worked things out. She also told me that I could phone her anytime. The feeling of hardship I felt at the time has gone now and the TWP worker helped me through it all. Life is still a challenge but it’s more manageable because I have support and a clear direction to follow.

TWP has opened a door to a new future. I’m 30 years old and it’s over 10 years since I did a few courses after high school. I always wanted to study further and my father wanted me to go to university. Doing a MIT Foundation Studies Certificate was the first step to getting started and next term I will take another step forward. With the encouragement of TWP staff, I’ve decided to enroll in the New Start Programme at Auckland University. It feels scary to go to university but I know that I can achieve my dream with support and encouragement. I thought I might become a nurse but now I’m thinking about doing a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology, which sounds so clever and hard. I want to build on what I’ve started. I am the oldest in my family and will be the first to go to university. TWP staff are now giving me a gentle push to sign up for the programme. ‘Have you sent the form in?’ they ask, every time they see me. They keep reminding me to get my application into the enrolment office, so I don’t miss out. They care about women and give us a push to keep going and move on to the next step. The staff have helped me so much.

The experience at TWP was more than earning a certificate; I feel a higher degree of self-esteem and I have more self-confidence. I feel encouraged to keep going with my studies, for everyone and for myself. Now I have a strong friendship base in the community and have made over ten friends in the past year. Friends help to make you strong and make other things possible that could not be achieved without their support. What’s made a big difference in my journey over the past year is to hear the stories of other women who started off in the same way as me but have gone on to do big things. Their stories tell me that if they can overcome hurdles and achieve their dreams, then so can I.

TWP is a strong anchor in my life right now. I love coming to the TWP Centre and always feel better after being here. The staff are still there for me and want me to do better. Their encouragement makes me feel smart and that I can do anything that I put my mind to. If they believe in me, then I believe in me. When I first met the staff here, I wondered: ‘How can you know me so well when I don’t even know myself?’ I want to make TWP staff proud of me and encourage them to help other women to succeed.

I want to thank everyone at Te Waipuna Puawai for supporting and encouraging me. Now that I have started studying, I want to carry on. I hope that other women will join TWP and take that first step. I also hope TWP receives more funding so that other women can benefit. I want the government to know that TWP is helping women who need help the most and doing it in a respectful way. TWP staff do not tell women what to do with their lives. Staff listen with non-judgmental ears and an open mind. They suggest opportunities for women to consider and encourage us to get educated so as to open other doors in our lives.

I cried while telling my story today. But my tears were tears of happiness. I feel hope for my future. I believe that I will be able to provide well for my boys and keep them safe. My children are now enrolled in Kohanga Reo and in a good routine. I have more energy and patience when I am with them and we have more fun together. Because of what I am now doing, my boys will be able to have a different life; a better life and a happy family. I want my boys to be well educated; I don’t want them to have to worry about money the way I do. I want to be a good role model for my boys so that as they grow up they learn that they can go to university too or do anything else they put their mind to.

Source: One woman's story 8

CHANGES store opens in Onehunga

Mon, 22 Aug 2011 00:00:00 +1200

On Friday, 19 August 2011 a ritual was held to bless the opening of a second charity store in the bustling Onehunga community. Representatives from the Guardian Trust whose financial support made this store possible were able to join staff, volunteers, friends and supporters of Mercy at this special occassion.

The store is located in a prime location at 183 Onehunga Mall, on the roundabout with Church St. New store manager, Elizabeth Bedford is looking forward to connecting both with other businesses in the area and the residents who will want to take advantage of quality clothing, footwear, accessories and homeware at affordable prices. The nature of recycling items fits beautifully with the organisations interest in sustainable practices.

The store was opened to the public on Monday 22nd August. Donations can be made to the store between 10am and 4pm, Monday to Friday.

Source: CHANGES store opens in Onehunga

Legacies in the Making : He Ohaki Mai

Mon, 18 Jul 2011 00:00:00 +1200

This paper provides a summary of a 155 page report outlining the methodology for and findings of a three year developmental evaluation of the Te Waipuna Puawai He Ohaki Mai Project.

He Ohaki Mai began life as a community-based education, enterprise and employment project and is now guiding low income, Maori, Pacific, refugee and migrant women living in GIen Innes (GI) and Panmure into foundation studies that lead to higher education and more skilled employment. He Ohaki Mai offers wrap-around service delivery and a stepping-stone approach, supporting mothers and children to ‘learn under one roof but in different spaces’ at the Te Waipuna Puawai purpose-built facility in Ellerslie.

The substance, standard and reputation of Te Waipuna Puawai service delivery was described in rich detail and very highly regarded by all stakeholder groups participating in the evaluation. An overwhelming number expressed unqualified respect, confidence and trust in Te Waipuna Puawai: its staff, its services and programmes, and its outcomes. While time and resource intensive, the Te Waipuna Puawai approach (including wrap-around support) was considered by all evaluation participants to be crucial factor of success.

Source: Legacies in the Making : He Ohaki Mai

From Bottom Up

Mon, 20 Jun 2011 00:00:00 +1200

“From Bottom Up’ is an evaluation of the Young Parents Mentoring Programme, a collaborative pilot between Te Waipuna Puawai Mercy Oasis, Brothers in Arms and the Auckland Women’s Centre.

“From Bottom Up” is a case example of collaboration and can be used as a tool for other organisations, community workers and committed supporters of young parents, to take advantage of. We have endeavoured to ensure the information is as community worker friendly as possible – key messages, our own examples and checklists are scattered throughout the sections to enrich the programme detail, research and evaluation.

A copy of this resource can be downloaded here: From Bottom Up.

Source: From Bottom Up

Mercy Ethos Programme 2011 - Dublin, Ireland

Mon, 23 May 2011 00:00:00 +1200

The Chief Executive was one of two New Zealanders to join a group of 48 Australians in the annual pilgrimage to the first House of Mercy in Baggot Street, Dublin Ireland.

The program was an opportunity to experience Mercy hospitality and community, explore the heritage of Mercy through the stories of foundress Catherine McAuley and the early women of Mercy, raise awareness of the legacy left by the early women of Mercy, learn about leadership in the context of Catherine’s life and ministry and draw out the implications and challenges for contemporary ministry, reflect on how our experience and learning can inform our role as leaders in Mercy ministry today, to develop a sense of the global Mercy network and our place within it, broaden our knowledge of Mercy ministry and leadership responses for today through this cross-ministry experience, recognise in our own life how a spirituality of Mercy is at work, enhance our skills for reflection and integration of our experiences into daily life.

Source: Mercy Ethos Programme 2011 - Dublin, Ireland

Young Mothers Group graduate now TWP Receptionist

Mon, 11 Apr 2011 00:00:00 +1200

Jasmine Vili participated in the Young Mothers Support Group in 2009. Jasmine then went on to complete the computer class offered at the Ellerslie Centre. On completion of this class Jasmine focussed on the care of her young daughter and re-engaged with Te Waipuna Puawai when she was looking for employment. With support from TWP’s Employment Coordinator, Jasmine was given an opportunity for work experience as a Receptionist at the Ellerslie Centre. As timing would have it, a job-share opportunity arose which in turn changed to a full-time position. Jasmine is now the face of our organisation greeting adult learners, pre-schoolers and young mothers to the learning space.

Source: Young Mothers Group graduate now TWP Receptionist

Advocacy role enhanced

Mon, 07 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +1300

Te Waipuna Puawai now has active membership with the NZ Christian Council of Social Services.

The New Zealand Council of Christian Social Services (NZCCSS) represents six denomination based networks: the Anglican Care Network, the Baptist, Catholic, and Presbyterian social services agencies, as well as the Methodist and the Salvation Army churches.

NZCCSS works for a just and compassionate society in Aotearoa New Zealand. We see this as a continuation of the mission of Jesus Christ. In seeking to fulfil this mission, we are committed to:

giving priority to the poor and vulnerable members of our society
Te Tiriti O Waitangi

The key roles of NZCCSS are to represent the common interests and vision of our members at the national level; to supply information and networking opportunities to support members providing quality services; and to develop, critique and advocate for policies that will assist poor, vulnerable and disadvantaged members of society.

Auckland Services Group

The new Auckland Council role in providing a city that caters for the wellbeing of one third of New Zealand’s population meant that it was appropriate for NZCCSS to engage directly with this important region.

The aim of this group is to, “bring together NZCCSS member agencies and their social service providers to collaborate and cooperate in the development and promotion of an inclusive, just and compassionate society in Auckland”.

The CE is a member of the Auckland Services Group and the Child & Family Policy Group.

Source: Advocacy role enhanced

Guardian Trust distributes $60,000

Tue, 22 Feb 2011 00:00:00 +1300

Te Waipuna Puawai has received a valuable boost in the form of a $60,000 distribution from a charitable trust set up to support women in need. The Strathlachlan Fund, which is managed by Guardian Trust, has made the distribution to Te Waipuna Puawai Mercy Oasis in support of its family support services.

The distribution to Te Waipuna Puawai is one of the largest single distributions from a $903,000 overall charitable distribution made this year by the Strathlachlan Fund and a related trust, the John M McLachlan Charitable Trust, to women’s causes. In the past five years, the two trusts have distributed more than $2.8 million to New Zealand charitable organizations.

Guardian Trust Client Manager Chris Jardine said the distribution highlighted how enduring giving is possible when facilitated with a charitable trust.

“We are delighted to make this distribution from the Strathlachlan Charitable Trust managed by Guardian Trust. This will help Te Waipuna Puawai move towards greater self-sustainability in supporting families in crisis and delivering educational and development programmes for women and children.

“We are privileged that we can discharge the philanthropic desire of the McLachlan family by supporting Te Waipuna Puawai’s long-term strategic plan to deliver sustainable high-quality services to women and families in need.”

Te Waipuna Puawai manager Puamiria Maaka said, “The money will serve as seed funding to open a new charity store, to make ourselves more self-sufficient. Like many NGOs we exist through the support of philanthropists, which leaves us vulnerable, and to generate our own income stream we’re planning to open a second store selling high-end homeware, footwear and clothing for the entire family, at affordable prices.”

The new store, the location of which is to be confirmed, will complement Te Waipuna Puawai’s existing store in Botany Junction.

Guardian Trust is New Zealand’s pre-eminent provider of philanthropy services, with more charitable trusts and more funds under management than any other New Zealand trustee company. In the year to June 2010 Guardian Trust distributed almost $26 million to worthy causes in New Zealand.

Source: Guardian Trust distributes $60,000

2010 Graduation for MIT students

Mon, 06 Dec 2010 00:00:00 +1300

Another year of study has ended at our Ellerslie Centre with a celebration held 1st December for the current graduates from MIT’s HeadStart programme, which is at Foundation Studies Level 3.

The celebration was attended by senior personnel from MIT including the new Head of School, Lee Taituha. The guest speaker was none other than a previous student, Mei, who is currently studying towards a Bachelor of Social Practice alongside a group of ex-TWP women.

Two students spoke eloquently on behalf of the graduating class and it is always inspiring to observe the increased confidence and competence of women from our community. Every one of the graduating students have goals for 2011 and future study pathways include education, social work, midwifery, health, fashion design and business. We wish them success!

Source: 2010 Graduation for MIT students

Noho Marae at Omaha

Mon, 29 Nov 2010 00:00:00 +1300

Annually, an opportunity is afforded to wahine maori who have been developing themselves throughout the year to attend a noho-marae for a time of respite and holistic care before the stresses and pressures of the festive descend.

Late November 2010, a roopu travelled to the beautiful marae at Omaha for a weekend of deep reflection, connecting, sharing and healing. This also provides the organisation with an opportunity to evaluate the effectiveness of the services and programmes being offered, we are constantly checking that we are still meeting the needs of those we seek to support.

This was a timely retreat facilitated by a highly skilled and intuitive psychotherapist from Omaha Marae. A great clearing for the festive season ahead.

Source: Noho Marae at Omaha