Tamaki Pathways Trust
About forty kids and their families or whanau are helped each year by being referred to Tamaki Pathways Trust by schools, Child, Youth and Family, Police, Marae, other community agencies or are self referrals.

Tamaki Pathways Trust is committed to preventing youth crime and re-offending. Their main focus is to put prevention strategies in place to reduce the underlying causes of offending, but paramount with this Trust is to always focus on the future. The Trust works intensively with each young person and their family.

Many have convictions or are before the courts so they will need long term support to learn better choices. Tamaki Pathways Trust works to help identify issues and changes needed through setting goals with each family and young person. They provide much needed encouragement and guidance; essentially, teaching them to never give up.

The Catholic Caring Foundation is part of the success of this project and Tamaki Pathways Trust “appreciates the support of the Foundation and we consider them part of the wider community that helps us raise these children.”

Tiana Turner, Case Manager, (right)
pictured with Venus Lenoel-Gray, a former participant of Tamaki Pathways Trust


Marist Learning Centre
Alternative Education at the Marist Learning Centre is not only about improving the academic achievements of youth; it is about providing a holistic approach to learning and life in general.

For Vanessa Lawgun, Director of the Centre, walking alongside ‘at risk youth’, understanding the world they are from and providing new opportunities, unleashes their hidden potential.

“Most of them have a lot of issues with self esteem. You can’t teach them until they trust you and you have to earn their trust. You have to form a positive relationship with them and then the results come. It’s about showing them that someone believes in them, and that they are worth something; because a lot of times they haven’t ever heard that.”

The Catholic Caring Foundation has supported the Marist Learning Centre since 2005. “If this service wasn’t here, many of these kids would now be in prison and there would be little hope for them,” says Vanessa. “It’s really heart warming to know that people believe in what we’re doing.

Grants received from the Catholic Caring Foundation make an impact directly on the lives of these young people. Thank you!”

Vanessa Lawgun
Director of the Marist Learning Centre


Papatoetoe Adolescent Christian Trust (PACT)
Ben Matautia is one of the community workers at Papatoetoe Adolescent Christian Trust (PACT) and runs a Boxing Club for Papatoetoe High School students, meeting with them a couple of mornings a week. Although it gives the boys a great opportunity to keep fit, he says it’s not just about the boxing but the one on one quality time he spends with them.

“They often have lots of stuff trapped inside and in getting to know us, they start to trust us. For some of them, it’s the first time they have talked to anyone and it’s in sharing these problems and working together, we often find solutions.”

Ben has a heart for the people of South Auckland and is passionate about seeing the youth in his community succeed. With his dedication, talents and loyal team, Ben will ensure this happens. PACT appreciates the constant support of the Caring Foundation.

“It is through your Christian support that we are able to continue providing this service to the Community of Papatoetoe.”

Ben Matautia (2nd from left) with three of his students


Children's Autism Foundation


Owairaka Parish of Christ the King


Peggy Humby
Parish Secretary
Owairaka Parish



Fr Andrew Matthew
Parish Priest
Te Atatu Parish


Friendship House
"The Men's living Without Violence Programme had a poor turnout from the Samoan men referred by the courts.  This meant the Courts directed more punitive punishment which rarely led to a decrease in family violence.  The solution was to translate the programme into Samoan and employ a Samoan facilitator, so we applied to the Catholic Caring Foundation for funding. 

The results were fantastic!  The first course had 100% attendance and completion.  That success enabled up to apply for and eventually receive Ministry of Justice funding for the on-going costs of running the programme.

"Without funding from the Catholic Caring Foundation, we would still have many Samoan families dealing with the effects of family violence.  Having the programme presented in a culturally respectful way gives a much better result."

Tracy Tamihere
Funding Co-ordinator
Friendship House