Thankful Thursday – Today, we are thankful for Valerie! Valerie has been a part of YAT for many years. She first joined us as a child at our programs, and now she’s a leader at both Kitchen Klub and Craft Club!

Let’s get to know Valerie:

How long have you been a leader at YAT?

“I have been volunteering at YAT for over a year now.”

What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

“I play guitar and bass, love drawing, and enjoy skating in my free time.”

Why do you volunteer at YAT?

“I volunteer at YAT because I love meeting new people, helping kids with what they need, and giving back to my community.”

Thank you, Valerie! We truly appreciate the care and support you give to our tamariki!

Thankful Thursday! Today we’re shining a spotlight on Phil – one of our incredible volunteers who continues to make a big impact at YAT!

Phil has been part of the YAT whānau for many years, starting as a young person in our programmes before stepping into leadership. He’s now one of our dedicated volunteer leaders at Rock Solid, and we’re so grateful for the energy, care, and consistency he brings every week.

Let’s get to know Phil a little better:

How long have you been at YAT?

“I was one of the young people for about 7 years and then moved on to volunteering on and off for about 8 years.”

What do you love doing in your spare time?

“In my spare time I enjoy playing/watching football and also playing cornhole for Papanui Club.”

Why do you volunteer at YAT?

“I volunteer at YAT because I think it creates an amazing and safe place for kids and young adults to have some fun and create new friendships.”

Thanks for all you do, Phil! You’re a huge part of what makes YAT so special!

If you’re a parent – then understanding the online world through the eyes of your kids is a must! Lock into your diary this FREE workshop for Parents by @Tāima Kōrero – Time2Talk.nz at Queenspark Te Hua Mānuka School Hall, 7pm next Tuesday May 13th.

The 90 minute presentation by Brett Harvey will give you knowledge and tools to effectively navigate those awkward conversations about what’s online. Find out more info at the Tāima Kōrero website, or register for your free ticket at: tinyurl.com/Queenspark-Korero

Hosted and funded by our amazing Mana Ake – Stronger for Tomorrow team.

We love our Mana Ake team who work everyday supporting whānau at home, in school and by running parenting courses and seminars. Here’s some feedback from parents who recently completed a Tuning into Kids course:

– “It is so amazing that this course is free, it has been so helpful and I wouldn’t have been able to do it if it cost to attend.”

– “I’ve seen such a big change in my son over the last 7 or 8 weeks, We still have bad days but they are so much easier now”.

– “I wish we could do it all again, thankyou so much.”

If you’re keen on some more hints and tips, check out the parenting courses ran by Mana Ake – Stronger for Tomorrow all over Canterbury and online:

https://manaake.health.nz/supporting-your-child/supporting-your-childs-wellbeing/parenting-courses/

Happy Birthday Shelly! Thanks for being an awesome Oscar Coordinator!

Did you know about the new online Youth Tool Kete hosted by Citizens Advice Bureau NZ?! It’s full of great info for equipping you for life in Aotearoa, including tips for going flatting, problems at work, traffic offenses, getting ID, buying a car plus, starting study plus more! You can also connect to the CAB service via live chat on the website, over their free phoneline, or by popping into your local CAB, including the friendly one here in New Brighton Mall. They also have free legal clinics, JP clinic and can help with a wide variety of issues for all ages for free! Check them out!

https://youth.cab.org.nz/

We were honored to speak before the Christchurch City Council Mayor, Phil Mauger for Mayor and Councillors last week to lobby for two community initiatives we’re a part of. 1. Their support of a new play area in Rawhiti Domain in partnership with New Brighton Catholic School. 2. Their support to purchase land for Car Parking at Roy Stokes Hall Creative Community Hub. There is already such limited parking, and with the development of the new gateway into New Brighton, there will soon be even less. Thanks to Celeste Donovan – Councillor for Coastal for your advice and support. We’ll keep you updated if either project progresses…

Bookings for Term 2 are now LIVE for all our weekly clubs. Updated brochures with term plans can be viewed under each club name on our website.

Bookings to be made at: https://yatclubs.aimyplus.com

> Seniors After-School Oscar (School Years 4-9) EVERYDAY with Van Pick Ups 2:45pm – 5:45pm

> Basketball Clubs (School Years 1 – 8) Tuesdays

• 3:15pm – 4:05pm (School Years 1-3)
• 4:15pm – 5:05pm (School Years 3-6)
• 5:15pm – 6:05pm (School Years 6-8)

> Kitchen Klub (School Years 5 – 9) Tuesdays 4:00pm – 5:30pm

> Kōtirotiro Girls Club (School Years 1 – 6) Wednesdays 4:00pm – 5:30pm

> Tamatāne Boys Club (School Years 1 – 6) Thursdays 4:00pm – 5:30pm

> Craft Club (School Years 5 – 9) Thursdays 4:00pm – 5:30pm

> Rock Solid (School Years 7 & 8) Fridays 4:00-6:00pm

> Surge (School Years 9 – 13) Mondays 6:30-8:30pm. FREE for teenagers

> #NEW: RISE (ages 12-17) Mondays 6:30pm – 8:00pm.  FREE for teenagers

> Amplify Music Lessons (School Years 1-13) Everyday 3pm – 6pm

Amplify Band Programme (School Years 7-13) various times by audition

Any questions, email: office@yat.org.nz