FRIENDS OF YOUTHLINE
Making Change Happen
SUPPORTERS NEWSLETTER SPRING 2012 NOTE FROM NATIONAL SPOKESMAN Kia ora, Malo e lelei, Talofa, Bula vinaka, Talofa lava, Kia orana, Fakalofa lahi atu, Namaste, Ni Hao, Greetings! The challenge for New Zealand is to build communities where young people prosper; if we get this right then the whole community benefits, if we get it wrong we all struggle not only now but for decades to come. If we get it right a young person is connected to those around them; family, friends, jobs, and communities. This is what holds us together and for too many young people, these connections are unavailable, unreliable, or nearly impossible to find. What happens in a young person’s world echoes throughout their life and building resilient young people has to be one of the greatest gifts that any generation can pass on to those that follow. It takes a village to grow a healthy, resilient and creative young person. The village starts with our partnering connections with young people, is reflected in the communities of people (young and old) working together within Youthline and moves through to how we work in the wider world with others - locally, regionally, nationally and internationally. It is through this partnering and the sheer hard work of our compassionate, caring and skilled staff (volunteer and paid) that Youthline in its 43rd year continues to grow from strength to strength, continuously adapting its services to remain relevant in a fast changing world, working hard so that many thousands of young people have been able to make those connections that are vital for them now and into the future. To the thousands of people who have contributed, the clients we work with, our volunteer and paid staff, our colleagues in other sector organisations, our partners in the commercial world , in government and the many individuals who believe in our work who have donated their time and money thank you to all for making this important mahi possible. Kaore e toia roatia te korero Naku noa, na Stephen Bell Whaia te iti kahurangi Ki te tuohu koe, me he maunga teitei Pursue excellence – should you stumble, let it be to a lofty mountain
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REACHING ACROSS THE PACIFIC! Earlier this year Youthline made its helpline accessible to young people in the Cook Islands. Sponsored by Telecom Cook Islands, youth in the Cook Islands can now call 0800HELP to be connected to a Youthline phone counsellor free of charge. The project connecting to Youthline’s helpline was initiated by the Cook Islands community with young people feeling that access to a free, confidential helpline service would be of great service. Youthline Auckland CEO, Stephen Bell travelled to the Cook Islands for the official launch on the 30th of May. “It was just a really fantastic vibe, there were hundreds of young people at the launch and from seeing their response to it, we can tell it’s going to be hugely beneficial for them,” says Bell. “The launch of this service is also a great way to tell young people that people care deeply about them and that they are a very important part of the community,” he adds. “We understand that young people in the Cook Islands face unique challenges but also that like other young people across the world, access to free and confidential support in times of need can be incredibly beneficial” he says. Youthline ambassador, RnB singer Pieter T also attended the launch, talking with students candidly about the challenges of growing up and the personal obstacles he faced. The successful launch was a culmination of months of hard work from many different groups, including a steering committee in the Cook Islands who travelled to NZ to train and brief Youthline staff on issues pertinent to Cook Island youth. “We’ve worked to ensure that this process is safe and user friendly for our youth by equipping the phone line counsellors with sound knowledge and skills”, says steering group chairperson, Vania Keening. Mr Bell says this is an exciting and valuable partnership.