PRESS RELEASE
HOME AND FAMILY COUNSELLING
DATED 26/09/08
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
LADIES TEE OFF TO GET COUPLES TALKING
Women with a passion to strengthen Auckland Kiwi family foundations by getting couples ‘talking’ will tee off on 26th of November at the Onewhero Golf Club. Their goal is to raise money that will be used for “Couple Counselling” by Home and Family Counselling, a not for profit agency and raise awareness of the agency’s key slogan “Talking it through”.
Supporting the Ladies Golf Day as a major sponsor, Tony Everitt of Maxwell and Williams is keen to promote the cause, the organisation and its key message for reasons that he is proud to share. “Home and Family Counselling has helped me through some difficult times. When I needed someone to talk to, a friend referred me to the agency. The counselling I received saved my relationship. I would like this service to be available to others.”
The Ladies Golf Tournament has been keenly contested and very popular since its inception ten years back by the Mt Eden Supporters Group of Home and Family Counselling. Teams of four can register to play at $260 a team. Entry fee includes a sausage sizzle on the course, morning tea and lunch with loads of prizes and giveaways.
Mary Gray, director Home and Family Counselling says, “ It’s heartening to see support for our work in this area pouring in. The key message for all relationships remains the same; communication is vital and ‘Talking it through”, is better than lashing out, bottling things up or walking away.”
“Funds raised from the Ladies Golf Tournament will provide counselling for couples. Counselling can make a huge difference to couples experiencing relationship problems”
“It has reinforced my thoughts about the relationship I’m in. It has helped me understand my role in the issue”, says an ex client as part of feedback on how counselling has helped. “Our wonderful, calm, positive and balance counsellor has saved our marriage”, says another.
Hole sponsorships are open at $ 200 a hole. If you’d like to sponsor a hole, or register to play, please call Mary Kelly at 529 2090 , email mkelly@xtra.co.nz or Catherine Baloghy at 620 2909, email catherinebaloghy@hotmail.com
For more information about Home and Family Counselling log on to www.homeandfamily.org.nz .
Manju Shelke
Public Relations Coordinator
Home and Family Counselling
0211 605300
630 8961 – ext 2
PRESS RELEASE DATED 15/08/07
HOME AND FAMILY COUNSELLING
AN AUCKLANDER’S PRACTICAL APPROACH TO HELP STOP CHILD ABUSE
Home and Family Counselling, a not for profit counselling agency based in Mt Eden and North Shore is delighted at a good samaritan’s proactive attempt to involve the community in helping Auckland homes be a safe haven for every child. Donations from the initiative will help the agency counsel families in distress who struggle with their parenting role.
Simon Yock, a young father of two children and a real estate agent with Bayley’s has been so moved by Nia Glassie’s tragic death that he came over for a chat with agency director Mary Gray early this week to discuss options. “ I have a three year old daughter myself. I shudder to think that baby Nia was killed in what was supposed to be ‘her safe haven’. I sell houses … I want to do something to convert each house to be a loving home and a safe haven for every child.” says Simon.
“I want to help, and I want to encourage others like me help stop this cycle of child abuse. I feel the issue does not stop with saying don’t abuse children…. in the case of young parents or step parents, a lot of support is required for them to fulfil their role. I feel if affordable counselling was offered in time, maybe they would have found a different way to express their anger or recognise it as dangerous and unacceptable.”
“Simon is offering a generous donation to our agency towards counselling for families in distress. Each time a property is sold from leads provided by the agency or by people listing under this initiative with him, Simon and Bayley’s together will make a $ 1000 donation to us.” says Mary Gray.
“Through Bayley’s Simon has unlocked the gates to how the community can do something practical about child abuse. Counselling can help parents deal with stresses and support them with their parenting.”
“Finding a solution is not just the responsibility of the government or social service agencies. An effort has to be made to help both the victim, the abuser and the family”, says Simon
$ 1000 can provide 9 sessions of counselling for a family which will make a huge difference to most families.
Property sellers who would like to be part of this initiative and want to make a positive contribution to help stop child abuse by listing under this initiative can contact Petra Page at Home and Family Counselling at 630 8961 or Simon Yock at 021 966 602
Press Release 26/03/07
A charity fundraiser co-hosted by Mayoress Diana Hubbard and Home and Family Counselling will auction 'Hope', a necklace handcrafted by Anya Godwin, children's specialist counsellor at the agency.
The Cocktail party to be held on 2nd of May 2007 at the Council Chambers aims to raise funds for children in distress, a cause as dear to Mrs. Hubbard as it is to the counselling agency and its children's counselling team.
Home and Family Counselling, a not for profit agency that has served thousands of Auckland children over the years, is spearheading a huge awareness drive about counselling and its benefits later in the year and are conducting a series of events leading up to it. The agency hopes that the increased awareness of counselling and its benefits in situations like domestic violence, separation and its effects on children will see many more people walking in to try and resolve their conflicts before families get ito crisis.
"Often the children are the most vulnerable in these circumstances", says Anya, "making this necklace for their cause has been an honour."
"The lustrous central pearl is the pearl of Hope. This symbolises the inner beauty within us all and the smaller beads around it acknowledge the love and help many people need to go on with life. The swarovski crystals seen in between the black pearls are a direct reminder to all of us of the 'sparkle' that we must endeavour to put back into each and every wounded child's life", says Anya.
"I am delighted to be associated with an event that will help raise funds for children's counselling," says Mayoress Diana Hubbard. "Providing children with the opportunity to talk to a counsellor can help a lot when they face difficulties such as family break up, death or major illness in the family."
"Hope is what people gain from counselling - a way through their difficulties", says Mary Gray, director of Home and Family Counselling. Aucklanders who want to support this hope through attendance at this charity event can phone Petra at 630 8961. Tickets at $50 include drinks, canapes, entertainment and entry to the auction which includes this wonderful necklace and many other exciting items.
For more on Home and Family Counselling: www.homeandfamily.org.nz
If you'd like a photo opportunity (Mayoress Diana Hubbard, Hope - the necklace, Mary Gray, our Director) please call me on 021 160 5300 or 630 8961 - extn 2, or email pr@homeandfamily.org.nz
Manju Shelke
Public Relations Coordinator
Home and Family Counselling Services