News
Matiu shares some personal reflections on the power of transformation.
I have been reflecting over the last few days about my journey from childhood trauma, drugs, violence and prison, to where I am now as a father and community leader working within the prison space to help men like myself. I’ve also been thinking about what a privilege it is to work for Pathway and the amazing job it does.
An update on our Navigate Initiative and how you can support it.
The harsh reality is 36 of 100 people released from prison will end up back behind bars within two years. New Zealand may be a small nation, but has one of the highest recidivism rates in the OECD region. Put simply, this must change.
Frank's* Story: Hopelessness, drugs, crime, prison and redemption.
Hopelessness, drugs, crime, prison and redemption. Frank* has been through it all in a short time. Now thriving as part of the growing Oak Tree Devanning team in Auckland, he’s where he wants to be as he focuses on the future rather than dwelling on the past.
We recently heard from Jarrod Gilbert on his independent evaluation of our Navigate Initiative.
In last quarter’s newsletter, we shared with you the results of an independent evaluation of the Navigate Initiative, undertaken by Independent Research Solutions.At one of Pathway’s staff get-togethers, we welcomed Dr Jarrod Gilbert, one of the evaluators, who spoke to the research and its impact on those involved at all levels with the NI.
Last month Pathway staff and supporters were invited to Christchurch Men’s Prison for a highly anticipated event on the calendar.
Last month Pathway staff and supporters were invited to Christchurch Men’s Prison for a highly anticipated event on the calendar.
As Erin’s life fell apart as a result of her addiction, the only feeling she identified with was misery.
Stints in prison and losing care of her daughter left her broken, desperately wanting to pick up the pieces. She was able to do that through He Kete and is now loving life and re-connecting with her girl.
We are truly blessed to have some wonderful tenants living in homes provided by Pathway Affordable Housing, a group that’s about to grow!
After months of work, PAH's most recent housing development on Pages Rd has been completed. Ahead of the moving trucks rolling in, a special service to bless each of the three, two-bedroom homes took place.
Out of necessity or by choice, the two-wheeled mode of transport is as prevalent on our roads as it's ever been.
For some however getting hold of a bike is just not possible due to financial constraints or simply not having ready access to one. That's set to change, thanks to the return of Pathway's bike programme.
Whether it’s unloading containers or loading up diner’s plates, Mike knows how to keep his customers happy.
Mike joined Oak Tree Devanning in April last year, doing a few mornings a week. He was keen to work as part of a team in different environments – but Mike had a clear goal in mind.
Aland started at the beginning of the year and is settling into what is a demanding yet rewarding role, a challenge he has taken on with gusto!
From clinical to leadership roles in the social sector, the career of Pathway Trust reintegration manager Aland Fish is as varied as the people we work with and the services we offer.
After becoming involved in drug dealing, Eric bounced between prison and the community for 15 years.
When he’d had enough and made a commitment to change, he found the Navigate Initiative. After being released earlier this year, his fresh start is just beginning.
September 2023 marks the fifth anniversary of the Navigate Initiative. Dylan was among the earliest to graduate from the NI.
Now taking on an engineering apprenticeship, he also acts as a support pillar for other men who have completed the NI. While he's on the right track today, things could easily have been different.
What is the role of a case manager behind prison walls?
We're doing everything we can to make the reintegration process and preparation for release as smooth as possible. Pathway's reintegration navigators, alongside Corrections case managers, play an equal part in this.
An incredible achievement, and we're definitely celebrating!
We're looking back on the years of hard work and learnings that went into the formation of this unique partnership with Ara Poutama (The Department of Corrections) that is the Navigate Initiative.
Brian once found comfort in the bottle. Today, he finds solace in serving the community.
Brian was sent to prison for the first time aged 17 and by 19, was in and out of prisonlike clockwork. During his last stint behind bars, as he was undergoing a drug treatment programme, Brian’s case manager told him about the Navigate Initiative. He admitted that entering Navigate was a scary thought, but something he had to do for himself and the sake of his family.
As demand for social housing remains high, Pathway Affordable Housing continues to provide.
In early April, we celebrated the first anniversary of our Pages Road properties being fully tenanted, a wonderful milestone which we marked alongside our tenants.
Pathway Charitable Group was nominated as a finalist for Community of the Year at the 2023 Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year Awards.
While being nominated for awards is fantastic and genuinely humbling, it’s not the be all and end all for us. Our why is helping people make a fresh start and creating safer, stronger communities by reducing recidivism rates. To us, there is no greater reward than seeing that through.
At one point in her life, Mel needed drugs to function. Now, she’s the one supporting others struggling with the shackles of addiction.
When she was young, life was grim. Her father wasn’t around and her mother was in an on/off relationship with an abusive partner. Every day was traumatic. Three stints in jail between 2012 and 2019 didn’t curb her addictions, until the option of going through He Kete came along.
Feelings of joy, sadness, hope and even anger can be invoked when listening to a piece of music, or in the case of our Tū Ora, creating it.
Over the past few years our men with a penchant for writing and performing have worked closely with the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra (CSO) in the form of several music workshops, which have culminated in a concert behind the walls of Christchurch Men’s Prison.
A recent donation to Pathway is already proving life-changing for one of our Tū Ora.
Long-time Pathway supporter Jenny Stevenson recently gifted her old family car to be used how we saw fit, in what was an incredibly heart-warming gesture. Her family owned the blue Toyota Corolla for more than 20 years, but felt it was time to give it a new home.
Earlier this year, Pathway staff were treated to an incredible presentation from one of our valuable volunteers, Jane Jones.
Jane has been volunteering with us for about five years, more specifically with our writers group. She spoke about why she decided to become a volunteer and how the writers group has not only changed many Tū Ora’s outlook on life, but also her own.
Sharing examples of the life-changing work we do is very special and a real privilege for us.
Reintegration manager Anaru Baynes spoke to members of the Rotary Club of Papanui about the Navigate Initiative and the positive impact it has had on the men who have been part of the programme, as well as the social change it has created in our community.
