24 March 2023
Kia ora Fordlands Whānau!
It's been a while since our last update so here is the latest on what's been happening here in Fordlands at your Community Centre
Meet our Staff
We currently have eight staff: Ana Phillips (KTTToF Manager); Maraea Pomana (Programmes Manager); Drue Harawira (Whanau Connector); Amiria Savea (Housing Manager); Daniel Haurua (Youth Worker); Bonnie Gillette (Centre Administrator), Kristian Pomana (Employment Co-ordinator) and Bette Davies (Whanau Connector).
Meet our Committee
Our Committee meets once every month with the Manager to oversee the direction and activities of the centre. We have six dedicated committee members. Bobby Howard (Chair); Janet Wepa (Deputy Chair); Nancy Littler (Secretary); Brydie Wharerau, Renee Kingi and Hone Morris (Committee Members).
Our Services
Just to recap, our organisation changed strategic direction at the end of 2019. Operations began at the end of 2020 with the development of our youth service. Over the last three years we have built six services: Whanau Support, Housing, Youth, Maara Kai and Employment services. In August last year we set up a transitional housing service and worked with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development to get our first nine homes contracted. We also have a range of small services such as community probation, lawn mowing service, and food distribution. Last year we distributed food to around 40 homes in Fordlands a week.
Please call us if you live in Fordlands and would like to be placed on our food distribution list.
Outcomes
Since the inception of our Whanau Support Service in 2021, we have supported over 90 individuals from our community, walking alongside them to achieve thir goals and helping to practically meet their needs. Through our housing service we have supported 110 individuals with a range of housing needs; our Youth Service around 80 youth; and our Employment Coordinator has worked with 69 individuals over the past 1.5 years through a wellbeing programme and to access employment. Of these, 35 have been placed in employment so far.
We have had Fordlands basketball and touch teams, and a variety of youth programmes including an alternative education programme running every day with the end goal being employment. Kai is an integral part of the wellbeing of our youth, and so we ensure that they are well fed when attending our programmes.
We held many community events for whanau and youth last year, and also Christmas in the Park again last year. Every Monday we have our TuTotara sports and activities night down at the Wrigley Road reserve with between 50-150 children and youth in attendance. A free bbq dinner is provided for the children and youth.
The Plan for 2023-2024
Our focus this year is on youth, housing and health. The aim of our housing arm is to grow the housing stock in Fordlands so we have come up with a variety of ways to achieve this. At present we are working on becoming Community Housing Providers, which will enable us to manage our own social housing. The ultimate goal is to buy investor-owned homes in Fordlands and place Fordlands residents in these homes, working over a five-to-ten-year period to help them to buy the homes.
We recently partnered with Trinity Koha Dental Clinic, who kindly brought their free mobile dental clinic to our centre for 3 days from 8th – 10th March. The dentist treated 43 patients; performed 87 extractions; 44 fillings; 3 root canals; 18 cleanings; 4 restorative bridge works, providing a total of $36,898 in treatment.
We are currently investigating the possibility of setting up a small medical cabin on the grounds of the centre for affordable medical care a few days a week to service the Fordlands community only.
Community Meetings
Our community meetings are held four times a year. If you are a member, please attend each meeting to make an informed vote at the AGM.
The dates of the community meetings are as follows:
Tuesday 25th April
Tuesday 27th June
26th September – Proposed AGM Date
28th November
All meetings are held at @5.30pm at the Centre on 48 Bellingham Crescent. All of the community are invited to attend, members and non-members if you want to hear about our plans, discuss any concerns about our neighbourhood and brainstorm solutions!!
Due to covid restrictions, we have had to play AGM catchup. The next AGM will be held in August/September. If you are a current member, please watch out for emails closer to the time for a chance to vote.
Job Vacancies
We are looking for an experienced Transitional Housing Navigator to join our small team. Please see seek.co.nz for more details or email manager@fordlands.co.nz with your CV and cover letter.
Our Website
Please visit www.fordlands.co.nz for all information about our organisation including our strategic plan, annual report and annual plans.