Community Connect

ISSUE 6 • MARCH 2009

E-news from Family and Community Services

Welcome to the sixth 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 Six - March 2009:

Te Anau Heartlands has immigration success

PAFT makes a difference

MSD computers put to good use in Cook Islands

Results Based Accountability reaps rewards in Hawkes Bay

Fund supports innovative positive parenting

Franklin Family Support opening a new office

Community Link Approach Builds on Heartland Services

Community Action Fund Round Four now open

Planning for success

Twenty parent volunteers offer to become teen parent mentors

Tough guys promote love and respect

Whānau Christmas event celebrates family

DVD provides voice for teens

Not-for- profit annual pay survey helps set pay expectations

What's happening in the community

Te Anau Heartlands has immigration success

The town of Te Anau lies nestled in the heart of Fiordland. Lakes, mountains and the Milford Sound characterise this beautiful place, but it is also at least a two hour drive to the closest town.

That's why the local Heartlands Service Centre, which operates out of the Fiordland Employment Centre, plays such a crucial role in this town. This "one-stop-shop" provides an opportunity for residents to meet face-to-face with government agency representatives and community agencies.

The area is mainly populated by seasonal workers, which means there are a diverse range of cultures. Heartlands Co-ordinator,Marilyn Redfern, says the area attracts tourists and people who want to retire.  "This is a fantastic place to live but the population is mainly transient."

Marilyn deals with a range of enquiries, often relating to immigration and employment.

"It's a quite a process of getting these people settled and into accommodation. And there are quite a few steps before that person can work."

Marilyn has had success getting residency for clients.  "I find the residency applications exciting. It is so fantastic when they come together.  My last client, who is Italian, was about to fly out of the country when we receive the news that he could apply for residency. We managed to get his papers in on time and his residency was granted in three months."

At present, Marilyn has quite a few residency applications on the boil. "I like what I do. I always get to meet interesting people."

» For more information on Heartlands Service Centres.