The Graham Dingle Foundation Hawke’s Bay delivers programmes into schools to give tamariki and rangatahi the skills to overcome life’s obstacles.
Their Kiwi Can team walk alongside tamariki connecting with each class every week of the school year to ensure lasting and meaningful impact.
“With a focus on integrity, resilience, respect and positive relationships, our Kiwi Can tamariki grow in confidence and exhibit more positive behaviours,” Graham Dingle Foundation Hawke’s Bay Manager, Alison Prins says.
“We have seen one of our students with autism grow with immense confidence through the programme, and now he participates confidently and joyfully with
the support of his peers.”
Career Navigator, the Foundation’s high school programme, gives rangatahi the skills and confidence to be career-ready.
The programme delivers a soft skills workshop, mentoring, visits to workplaces and career pathway days.
“A critical part of the programme is our connection with local businesses who support these activities, which benefits both the students and the businesses.
“Our programme coordinator, Ash, feels strongly that by supporting young people at this critical time it enables them to follow a career they are passionate about, instead of leaving school without a plan.
“One of Ash’s students has recently enrolled at EIT where he has made contacts with people in his chosen career – he’s even had an offer of part-time work
to make studying affordable.
“Our programmes rely on fundraising for 85% of the cost. We are extremely grateful for the Hawke’s Bay Foundation’s contribution, which ensures we can
continue to change lives,” Alison says.