Community Connect

ISSUE 2 • SEPTEMBER 2008

E-news from Family and Community Services

Welcome to the second edition of Family and Community Services' e-newsletter. To subscribe, unsubscribe, or to tell us your stories, please email us on enews@facs.govt.nz.

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Issue Two - September 2008:

West Coast Campaign wins health award

New Early Years Hub in Mt Roskill

New reporting tool for Family Start

Good Morning to focus on positive parenting

FIANZ promotes a "Strong Families - Better Society" message

Campaign resonates with Māori and Pacific people

Ministry website gets a new look

Northcote community sees a positive difference

Trying hard is not good enough - Results Accountability Framework

Rodney Community Profile launched

Tātai Kōrero DVD celebrates Māori parents

Teen Parent Project receives recognition it deserves

Māori and Pacific Family Violence Programmes of Action focus on strengths

What's happening in the community

New Early Years Hub in Mt Roskill

Bringing young mums together and looking at ways to support an Afghani mother is just the beginning for the new Early Years Service Hub in Mt Roskill South, Auckland.

The Mt Roskill Early Years Service Hub has only been operating for six weeks and is hosted by the Waikowhai Community Trust. The Hub is already making headway by bringing together existing local services to promote access and co-ordination and help address gaps in services to assist children have the best start in life.

"We have had a fantastic response from the community," said Hub co-ordinator, Zena Wrigley. "People really want to come on board.

"We have people biting on the bit for us to take on referrals, but we want to take it slowly if possible, while we set up the Hub facilities and processes."

The team is setting up a young mum's group, after noticing several young mums in the community.

"The first meeting is next week, and the young mums are really excited and we hope that we can build up a strong relationship with them over time," said Zena.

"We see our strength as our established presence with the Mt Roskill South community, which has put us on track very quickly."

Zena has over 20 year's experience in the Mt Roskill community and has a resource directory of over 700 contacts.  This means she is often approached to help local families in the area.

"Recently the local Police asked us to support a young Afghani mum whose home was burgled.  We are looking at getting one of our Roskill South consultation group Afghani members to help with translation and see how we can support her."

Zena adds that their new consultation group made up of community and agency members is vital to the development of the Early Years Hub. "They will guide, inform us and help us hear the heartbeat of the community." 

The Trust has named the hub the "Roskill South Oasis Hub" and it will operate out of an old church located at 56 Glass Rd, Mt Roskill South and will service families living in Mt Roskill South, Auckland.

For further information on how your service can support the Mt Roskill Hub, contact Zena Wrigley on 021-254-1666 or email: zena@roskillsouthoasis.org.nz.