Community Team
The RASNZ Community Team provides health promotion services, community engagement opportunities and supports former refugees to create connections and build confidence. Community Facilitators come from a variety of ethnic and cultural backgrounds, providing an invaluable link between RASNZ and resettled refugee communities in Auckland.
“Being a Community Facilitator is so rewarding! I enjoy helping the community and working to help solve other people’s problems. Sometimes it’s 2 o’clock in the morning when you get a call from a client who is struggling, but we all work from our hearts – otherwise we wouldn’t be here. The best gift you can give to yourself is helping others.”
Services Provided
Computers In Homes
Computers In Homes Programme is funded by the Ministry of Education. Families with school-age children receive 32 hours of computer training followed by the provision of a free computer, broadband connection and one year’s IT support.
Community Pillars
Community Pillars is an interactive, practical project which introduces and then unpacks some mainstream mental health models in Aotearoa New Zealand. The aim is to find and/or design models that will work for our community facilitators when working towards positive mental health and wellbeing of clients and families from refugee backgrounds and will work to destigmatise the concept of mental health and promote well being for all.
Triple P Parenting
RASNZ Community Team delivers Triple p-based discussion groups in the Auckland region to families from refugee backgrounds. These discussion groups are delivered by people from the community and sit in a community empowerment framework
Introductory Health
The Community Team facilitates workshops at the Mangere Resettlement Centre for newly-arrived refugees on navigating the complex New Zealand health system. Topics include essential information such as how to access health services, nurture successful families and manage stress.
Community Empowerment
Community empowerment engagement is offered for resettled refugees throughout wider Auckland. This encompasses support groups, women’s groups, wellbeing workshops and assistance with accessing other agencies and services.
Women’s Group
Women’s Groups are open to all women from refugee backgrounds. RASNZ facilitates the Mothers and Daughters with many fun activities such as knitting and movement classes.
At RASNZ, we provide mental health and well-being services, including advocacy and diversity programs, for Rainbow refugees and asylum seekers.