Planting Trees

"The true meaning of life is to plant trees under whose shade you do not expect to sit." Nelson Henderson

Author

Hilary Price

Organisation

Homes of Hope Charitable Trust, Tauranga

Objective

This paper intends to share the aims, purposes and function of the Homes of Hope service for children. This includes our vision and mission statements, dreams, history, methodology and outcomes. We hope to bring challenge, inspiration and creativity to the forum.

Method

After a brief introduction which details the history, vision and mission statements of the organisation, the paper proceeds to detail the motivation, method and 'might' of service delivery supported by Power Point. The need for an innovative response to the care of children in need is considered before detailing points of difference and benefits of our care model for children. Consideration is given to quality of care and best practice benchmarks, including quality of support for caregivers and active planning for the clients. This section also uses reference to Bronfenbrenner's ecological model which aptly represents the function of the service. Wider outcomes such as benefits to the sector at large and community well being are discussed and linked to the philosophy and function of the organisation.

Results and Conclusions

Conclusions are drawn and culminate in a 10-minute video presentation showing 'the real thing' and highlighting outcomes, personal testimonies, conclusions and reflections from stakeholders, including children, parents and caregivers.

Presentation

Paper - including Power Point and Video presentation.

Biography:

As CEO and a founding Trustee of Homes of Hope it has been a most extraordinary and wonderful journey and privilege! I am happily married to Jon and we have three wonderful children. We lead a busy, abundant life with a capital 'L' and have been privileged to care for many children in need. Experience in both education and welfare sectors has provided me with a background and sensitivity to the problems facing the foster care arena.

Qualified in both primary and early childhood education I have had experience as a business entrepreneur, sailor and founder of "James House" - a home caring for 20 children in Cape Town, South Africa.

I have served on the National Executive for the Christian Early Childhood Association of Aotearoa and been a contract lecturer to Bethlehem Institute of Education. I am passionate about children and families, justice and education and particularly passionate about the protection of children and furthering their development, dreams, aspirations and healing. This passion encourages me to strive for the best possible outcomes for children in need of care. I am convinced that it takes "a village to raise a child" and that together "we can make a lasting difference."