Nice one, English Language Partners Wellington! 

This dynamic organisation scooped the 'Supreme Winner' award for the Wellington City region at the 2013 Wellington Airport Regional Community Awards.

Mayor Celia Wade-Brown hosted the event and spoke of the enormous contribution voluntary, non-profit organisations, such as this year’s winner, make to Wellington. “The awards recognise the great work of our community sector, our volunteers, and our people who make a difference in the lives of fellow Wellingtonians."

"We're very happy and delighted to receive the supreme award," says Zlata Sosa, English Language Partner' centre manager. "I'm also quite humbled, as there were more than 70 organisations nominated. And we all do a great job in the community." 

Ms Sosa adds: "We're thrilled our local City Council, the Wellington Community Trust and the Wellington Airport acknowledge and celebrate the work our volunteers, job mentors, teachers, staff and committee do with and for refugee and migrant communities in Wellington." 

Nicola Sutton, Chief Executive of English Language Partners, is delighted for the centre. "Our volunteers do a tremendous job to make Wellington a truly welcoming city," she says.

"To take out the award in the Education and Child Youth Development category and then follow up with the award of Supreme Winner is a fantastic achievement. A great acknowledgment of the work the centre does across sectors of the community."

The 320 volunteers and 50 job mentors play a huge part in helping refugees and migrants find their feet in their new country. "Not only by teaching English," says Ms Sutton. "By sharing their 'insider knowledge' of New Zealand, our volunteers help people 'claim their place' and feel they really belong here. They build confidence to take the next step, often into education or employment."

Jo Maxwell, Community Awards Manager, also congratulates the winners. "There is a high demand for these services in Wellington, and English Language Partners have been doing it successfully for many years. We want to make sure they are recognised and celebrated for their dedication and hard work.”

The ceremony was on Tuesday 6 August and the centre will be attending the regional awards gala dinner on Thursday 31 October at The Rock, Wellington Airport.

www.englishlanguage.org.nz

Read Welllington City Council's news item 

ENDS

© Scoop Media

New Court Orders, Screening, Guardianship Changes...: Government Ignoring Poverty, Again

It remains to be seen if announcements today will better protect children, but the National Government is forgoing an opportunity to really help kids by ignoring the elephant in the room, which is poverty, Green Party Co-leader Metiria Turei says.

"All the experts have told the Government that very low income is associated with higher rates of child maltreatment and neglect -- something which was totally ignored in the Government's Children's Action Plan and the announcements today," Mrs Turei said. More>>