OCS is fortunate to have a dedicated Governance Board which in turn means that Management, staff and volunteers are equally dedicated and focused on providing the best service towards those in the community requiring professional help. As mentioned previously our Manager is involved in the setting up of the Kaipara branch of the Government’s new Children’s Team initiative. This reinforces our existing main focus – that of the safety and welfare of children; equally important to us is the provision of assistance to vulnerable adults.
The OCS Financial Mentor works alongside clients to provide holistic support, which can include drawing up a budget sheet to present to WINZ and even to providing a parcel made up from our Food Bank to ensure immediate relief where necessary. We have another qualified budget support worker on call to mentor and assist in this service. The Parent Coach has one to one sessions with parents of one or more children as well as group ‘Toolbox’ courses. She works with parents of toddlers up to teenagers. The Counsellors – two women and one man are available to provide qualified, professional confidential services – if a client chooses they may make a voluntary donation towards running costs.
We thank the ladies of Otamatea Quilters and Mid–Northern Spinners for the blankets, quilts children’s socks and hats etc. Many families with young ones have benefited from the shelves of good quality children’s clothing we have, and we’re always getting more - one new mum pointed out that she gets items from us and as her boy grows, she brings them back in good order for someone else to make use of, so do come and have a look if your baby or toddler needs clothing.
Thanks also must go to the many locals who have brought in their surplus produce, which of course includes of Ann Shanks and her team at Arty Farties. The feijoa trees in the area have produced masses of the huge sweet fruit this year and we are fortunate to have been given loads to share and enjoy.
The Seniors are entertained once a month by brilliant local musicians and singers- so talented and such fun. It is amazing just how many artists there are in the area who happily perform for us – and we thank you sincerely. We love doing this lunch for our seniors each month; it is a pleasure to see so many coming along, meeting up with their friends and neighbours. As the catering moves into a new direction we must make some extra special notes of thanks to all of those fantastic people who have been instrumental in making each occasion a success. Among these are the awesome local businesses of Maungaturoto Butchery, Sitting Duck Takeaways, Café de Mairis who have, at different times, gone out of their way to help with the menus. We are grateful to you and all those other generous people who have willingly extended a helping hand to ensure our seniors have the special day they so deserve.