Message from the Missioner

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Over the last fourteen years my husband and I have had to support four teenagers at one stage or another through our home.  This year we have just one left at home, and it's always a great comfort for me that my youngest not only has a stable home environment, but he has great extended family networks, a couple of youth leaders who speak into his life, and some healthy and long-term peer-friendships.  Despite all these strengths, my youngest can still stir up anxiety and chaos in no time at all!  Anyone who has raised teenagers will know they can be one of the most challenging demographics to manage as parents, step-parents or caregivers.  They can also be the most vulnerable.

The reality of their fragility comes home to me when I spend time with some of the young people on our Mission for Youth programme.  By the time they are just 13 or 14 years old, some have already walked paths of social isolation, homelessness, broken families, unhealthy peer groups or pressure, or drug and alcohol issues. Not quite belonging to the adult world and no longer a child, they often wrestle with deep identity issues, rejection, or social/educational failure.

There is no quick fix for at-risk youth.  Helping to restore identity, confidence, self-esteem and belonging takes a holistic approach over months or sometimes years of personal investment and targeted programmes.  But that's just what our youth get when they join The Mission.  And the fruit?  In our alternative education programme last year, our rangatahi (youth) achieved a total of 482 NCEA credits.  This is the most they've ever achieved!

At The Mission however we're more than providing education.  We want to see our youth realise their strengths and potential, their unique identity and value in God, treasure their whakapapa, and stand solidly and proudly on their own feet within community.  We want to see them enter work or a career that will be meaningful for them.

Our staff really go to bat for our youth.  Last year alone they made over 770 connections with families to help build whanau ora.  Mission for Youth continues to be one of our most demanding yet inspirational programmes!

We couldn't do all this great work without the support you've given us, and your continued support going forward. If you are able, please support our Mission for Youth programme and other interconnecting services such as Mission for Independence, Mission for Families and Mission for Seniors, with a donation today.

All God's blessings.

  

 

 

Rev Susan Blaikie
Wellington City Missioner

PS:  Please feel free to email me any time by clicking here ..... Wellington City Missioner. I would love to hear from you!  In fact, we are piloting an initiative at the moment where businesses and individuals can 'Sponsor a Student' within our Mission for Youth programme, and I have offered to take all the calls regarding our promotion of this.  So, if you feel like picking up the phone to chat more about this exciting new scheme, please drop me a line on (04) 380 1838.  Hope to hear from you!

PPS:  Don't forget to read all about our next fabulous Mission Film Fundraiser on our News & Events page!  The film is called 'The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel', and ticket sales are now open for this special event on Thursday 29 March.  Again, please email me if you would like to secure yours.  In the meantime, here's a flyer with all the details for you ... The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel - Mission Film Fundraiser.

To download a copy of our current Newsletter, with it's focus on our Mission for Youth programme, please click here ... Mission March Newsletter.