2008 Annual Report - ASB Community Trust

19SECTOR SHOWCASEHealth & Social ServicesThe trust seeks to address socialissues, improve equity and reducepoverty, making our communitiesbetter places for everyone to live,particularly through supportingwomen and their families, childrenand young people, older people andpeople who experience disability.ACT ONE – The NZ Ethnic Social Services TrustA driving licence is a passport to a better standard of living fornew migrants, but the cost often stands in the way.The NZ Ethnic Social Services Trust runs a driver-trainingservice that boasts a 95-99% pass-rate for the 470 people whoattended its courses last year.Based in Te Atatu South, Auckland, it gives low-incomeparticipants ten hours of driving lessons for $200 – enough toensure almost all pass their test. Demand for the courses hasbeen growing rapidly.In 2007/08 an ASB Community Trust grant helped support thedriver licencing programme.www.nzess.co.nzACT TWO – NZ Somali Women IncA sewing course in Auckland’s Mt Roskill suburb is givingSomali women more economic power over their lives.The six-month course, run by NZ Somali Women Inc andconducted by a professional sewing tutor, provides refugeeswith the skill to create garments they can sell at weekly markets.As it grows in popularity, the course is drawing members of theIraqi, Ethiopian, Lebanese and Indian community as well. NZSomali Women Inc has bought more industrial sewing machinesand in 2007/08 an ASB Community Trust grant helped buymore sewing equipment and helped with operating costs.ACT THREE – Lalotoa I Aotearoa Community andSocial Services TrustPapatoetoe-based Lalotoa I Aotearoa Community and SocialServices Trust (LIA Trust) is the first Pasifika service provideraccredited to provide a court-approved domestic violenceprogramme.By applying Pacific concepts to Pasifika problems, it is gettingresults. Many of those who enter its domestic violence programmehave been serial offenders, but few, if any, reoffend.It also provides clients with emergency housing, counsellingservices, information, advice, education and prevention strategies.In 2007/08 an ASB Community Trust grant helped LIA withoperating costs and equipment.www.lia.org.nzACT FOUR – Auckland Women’s CentreWith the average age of a first-time mother now close to 30,Auckland’s changing demographics make it hard for teenagemums to find anti-natal classes that cater to their needs.Auckland Women’s Centre offers a free teen antenatal programme,supporting expectant young mothers as they come to accepttheir pregnancy. It aims to improve mental health, parentingand life management skills, encourage healthy relationships andhelp new mothers find ways to continue their education.It also runs a teen parent programme to increase participants’sense of belonging, enhancing self esteem and showing how toaccess government and community agency support.In 2007/08 an ASB Community Trust grant supported theAuckland Women’s Centre’s operational and programme costs.www.awc.org.nz