Homes of Hope Named Runner-up at Trustpower National Community Awards

Homes of Hope, representing Tauranga City, has been named Runner-Up at the prestigious TrustPower National Community Awards.

The Awards were announced tonight (Saturday 24 March) at the 2011 TrustPower National Community Awards Dinner, held at Terrace Downs in Canterbury.

The Joint Supreme Winner was Denniston Heritage Trust, representing Buller District and Trev’s BBQ representing host region, Ashburton District Council.

The announcement comes after a full day for the 25 teams participating in the TrustPower National Community Awards. Today, each regional team gave an eight minute presentation on their activities or project in a judging session held at Methven Heritage Centre, Methven. The teams were judged on that presentation and on a 1,000 word summary each group provided prior to the event.

Homes of Hope was represented at the TrustPower National Community Awards by Hilary Price and Naomi Kerapa, along with Tauranga City Mayor Stuart Crosby and his wife Lesley.

Homes of Hope is a community’s response to child abuse and neglect in Tauranga. With the help of 100 volunteers, this group provides stable, loving, safe and nurturing care to children who have been traumatised due to abuse.

As TrustPower National Community Award Runner Up, the Homes of Hope receive $1,500 prize money, a $200 voucher from Exult, a leading and specialist training provider for the community sector and a framed certificate.

As TrustPower National Community Awards Joint Supreme Winners, Denniston Heritage Trust and Trev’s BBQ both receive $2,500 and a framed certificate. Because Denniston Heritage Trust will continue to operate, it will receive a trophy and a $500 voucher from Exult, a leading specialist training provider for the community sector, and a framed certificate.

TrustPower Community Relations Manager Graeme Purches says it is humbling and encouraging to be part of a celebration that brings together 25 positively high-impacting community groups.

“TrustPower is proud to lead the way in recognising, rewarding and celebrating the incredible contribution volunteers make to New Zealand communities,” says Graeme Purches.

“All 25 groups participating in the TrustPower National Community Awards are shining examples of the amazing work volunteers undertake every day in cities and districts all around New Zealand. These groups have already won recognition in their regions and we are delighted to be able to showcase their efforts nationally at this weekend’s event,” says Mr Purches.

The Awards were judged by a panel of independent judges, NZ Today Editor Allan Dick, Radio NZ host Jim Mora, Gillian Peacock from Volunteering New Zealand and Malcolm Cameron, 2012 Senior New Zealander of the Year.
Also involved in the judging process were each of the 25 voluntary groups at the Awards, with the peer voting making up 50% of the final judging score and the independent judging panel’s votes making up the other 50%. The groups were judged on five criteria: Voluntary Input; Utilisation of Resources; Initiative and Creativity; Effectiveness of Activities; and Impact on District.

The judges’ comments about Homes of Hope include:
“ Inspirational and very challenging to do properly.”
“We must learn to realise the importance of your work.”
“One child saved, makes it all worthwhile.”

ENDS

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