Talofa lava (greetings),

I’ve been two months in the role and what an amazing time it’s been.  I had the pleasure of meeting many of you at our various Foster Care Awareness week events and the FASD Waikato support group.  Some of you may recognise me from when I attended training with Fostering Kids NZ and Dallas was my RC, as well as Nyvonne’s training with Caring Families Aotearoa.   I’ve really appreciated the sharing that you have honoured me with, in knowing some of your struggles, so I can be there to support you in whatever way that might be for you.  I look forward to supporting many others over the coming months, so we can laugh and maybe at times cry together.

It was nice to see some of you at the Papakura gathering during Foster Care Awareness Week.  Our Pasifika Talanoa event was also a very special time connecting with some of our wonderful Polynesian Caregivers (check out the photos below).  Thank you to those who attended. A special thank you to Efeso Collins who shared some time with us on that day.   I’d also like to say thanks to those who generously translated information pamphlets into Samoan, Cook Island Māori and Tongan for this event: Tipalelupe Lala To’atasi Tuua, Ms Anana Tangatakere (BEd), and Yolanda Tamoua Manuki, THANK YOU!

SUPPORT

We are always interested in assisting caregivers to connect and share together.  If you feel you would like to start a support group in your area, please contact me to help you get a group up and running.

Polynesian Caregivers Meeting

Following on from our Foster Care Awareness Week Talanoa, we will be offering a space especially for our Polynesian caregivers to catch up each month. Keep an eye on our Facebook group and your emails for more information on a confirmed date/location for the first gathering.

Waikato FASD Group

We are meeting on the last Friday of the month, (28 April) at the Trust Waikato Community Rooms, Little London Lane, Hamilton from 10am -12pm.  This group was set up to enable caregivers and whānau to learn more about FASD and how we can support those with FASD to live well.  This month we are going to look at the 8 Magic Keys.

Facebook Groups

Don’t forget another great place to get support is our Private Facebook Groups. They are only open to our caregiver members, so you have the freedom to air your thoughts without judgement. Everyone in the group gets what you are going through. They are another great way of connecting when you want to chat, but cant get away from the house. Click on the link for the Facebook Group area that is relevant to you.

The Auckland South group link is here

The Waikato/Hauraki Support group link is here

To have someone to talk to at the end of the phone can sometimes be all we need.  Please save my number if you think I could be someone safe to chat with – 027 244 7371.  Send me a text and I can ring you.

I’m looking forward to meeting you at events and training and supporting you all, either in person or over the phone.   My days of work are Tuesday – Friday 8.45 am-4.45 pm.

TRAINING & LEARNING OPPORTUNITY

Our Training Calendar will go live in early April, and we will notify you via email and our Facebook page. Remember we have online and face-to-face options to fit into your busy lives.

If you are a support group and would like to book a training with us, contact our training administrator, Dagmar (dagmarc@caringfamilies.org.nz) and let’s see if we can make it happen for you and your group.

Fa`a fetai, manuia le masina (thank you and have a great month)

Nu’umoe

WORDS FROM NYVONNE

Last month for Foster Care Awareness Week I was lucky enough to connect with some of the caregivers in the Waikato / Hauraki region.  It was amazing to be able to spend that time with you after everything that has been going on in our area.  Thank you for gifting your time to me.

I look forward to getting in the car and making my way around the peninsula to connect with those that were unable to join us.  I would like to acknowledge the very hard-working men and women that are dedicated to ensuring we have safe passage in and out of the peninsula.  If any of these beautiful people belong to you, please pass on my sincere thanks.