The Community Approach Trust, based in Auckland, focuses on supporting families, youth, and the wider Pacific community; they are driven by two key objectives – keeping youth out of the police system and the construction and guidance of a walkable pathway for families and communities to learn about living a life that maintains sustainable living patterns.

“We are trying to change the way the community sees the police. The stigma that police are the bad guys must change because many of us are here with the purpose to help where we can and not the contrary,’ says Acting Director Jason Kaulima.

As there is a high demand for support within the community, the workforce at the Trust closely work with Police Officers to ensure they are successful in their outcomes.

One of the Team Leader’s for the Trust, Mava Manahetua, says that staff are motivated by the purpose and the vision of building a positive future for youth and families.

“We are here advocating for our people on the daily. The language barriers that exist, the knowledge that isn’t apparent with what our people are entitled to; It’s our responsibility to help the families we work with to build lives and lifestyles that work for them.

Sustainability is key. Our purpose is to provide for them where the gaps need to be filled and then to support them with education around positive pathways.”

She says it is rewarding to see the change within families after successfully utilising the tools they’ve been provided with to better their lifestyle, while also building awareness around services they can access.

“We’re here to empower them. The last thing we want to do is disable and paralyse our families. We want our people to eventually be self-reliant and independent.

The immediate reward for me is seeing the faces of the people we work with change. They show their gratitude physically through tears and an overwhelming happiness.”

Mr Kaulima expressed his gratitude for the relationship between the Trust and PFL and appreciates the shared vision of actively providing support for Pacific families and communities.

“The continuity of our organisation and our teams is important because it allows us to keep building on the trusted relationships we have with our families. We admire seeing them grow and succeed onto positive pathways. The continued relationship that we have with Pasifika Futures means that together we can see and share the great outcomes as we all share the same vision for our people.”

Being adaptable and understanding that a collective responsibility is required to serve is a key component of the Trust’s work; they maintain their efforts of being present for the community despite the changing demands and needs for Pacific families.